3a]
both hearts and minds (interpretation of the meaning):
"Why should Allah punish you if you have thanked (Him) and have
believed in Him. And Allah is Ever All Appreciative (of good), All
Knowing."
[an-Nisa' 4:174].
Fear of a bad reckoning and having one's good deeds rendered invalid
is one of the strongest means of creating a peaceful society in which
people strive hard to do righteous deeds and acquire virtuous
characteristics, as is statedin the Holy Qur'aan in the verse quoted
above, in which Allah, may He be glorified and exalted,
says(interpretation of the meaning):
"And those who give that (their charity) which they give (and also do
other good deeds) with their hearts full of fear (whether their alms
and charities, etc., have been accepted or not), because they are sure
to return to their Lord (for reckoning).
It is these who race for the good deeds, and they are foremost in them
(e.g.offering the compulsory Salat (prayers) in their (early) stated,
fixed times and so on)."
[al-Mu'minoon 23:60-61].
It is mentioned again when fear of a bad reckoning on the Day of
Resurrection is mentionedalongside upholding ties of kinship and
helping thepoor and needy. That is inthe verse in which Allah, may He
be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Those who join that which Allah has commanded to be joined (i.e. they
are good to theirrelatives and do not severthe bond of kinship), fear
their Lord, and dread the terrible reckoning (i.e. abstain from all
kinds of sins and evil deeds which Allah has forbidden and perform all
kinds of good deeds which Allah has ordained)"
[ar-Ra'd 13:21].
Hence it was narrated from al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyaad (may Allah have mercy
onhim) that he said: "Whoever fears Allah, thatfear will guide him to
all that is good." End quote.
To sum up, Islam enjoins you to strike a balance between fear and hope
and not let one of them outweigh the other. Rather you should travel
with them towards Allah like a bird with two wings, and do not let the
Shaytaan have control over you so that your hope weakens, or let him
make you forget the mutawaatir evidence in the Qur'aan and Sunnah that
points to the vastness of Allah's generosity. A small but sincere
righteous deed may be sufficient to grant you admittance to Paradise.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that
the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)
said: "Whilst a man was walking on the road, he found a thorny branch
on the road, so he removed it. Allaah appreciated that and forgave
him."
Narrated by Muslim, no. 1914.
And Allah knows best.
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