his country, ancestry, community or religion. Man is always
preoccupied about things that shall benefit or harm him; he is
alwaysworried about his future,his wealth, property and about other
things. His mind is always analyzing his strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats.
Accounting is of various kinds. Generally, man takes an account of
thosethings that are related to this temporary world. At such times,
he forgets that there is someone else too, who is taking (his) account
and whose rewards are everlasting. He is so absorbed in the accounting
of this colourful and attractive world, that he has forgotten the
terrifying accounting that shall take place in the grave orthe
impartial accounting of the Day of Mahshar (Day of Gathering on the
Last Judgment). Man is busy in finding faults in others. He forgets to
takeaccount of himself and see how much he is immersed in sins and how
many flaws lie within his own self.
Rather, man should makehis own self so strong and powerful, that it
becomes his advisor. The 'self' of man should exhort him towards all
obligatory acts and refrain him from committing all prohibitedacts.
Today, so much timeis being wasted in backbiting, accusing others,
watching television and committing other sins. Man must realize that
everything will be accounted for. The way you trained your children,
the way you spent your money, whether you have usurped any one's
right, even if it is a material right, to the extent that even if you
have done good or evil of the size ofa mustard seed, it will be
accounted for. The Day ofJudgment is also referredto as 'The Day of
Lamenting'. As Allah (SWT) mention in Noble Qur'an: Whether you show
what is in your mind or conceal it, Allah is well aware of that and
will call you to, account therefore. (2:284)
It is for this very reason that Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw)has
narrated, "Take account (of your deeds) yourself before you are taken
account of (by Allah [SWT])". Bihar al-Anwar
In the Wasiyyah (will) of Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) to his companion
(Sahabah)Abu Dharr al-Ghifari (ra), Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) says:
Oh Abu Dharr! Take account of yourself before you're taken account of
so your accounting will be easier tomorrow. And weigh yourself before
you are weighed and prepare forthe great staging; the day you will be
presented, not the least of a hidden thing of you will be hidden from
Allah (SWT).
Another companion (Sahabah) Abdullah Bin Mas'ud (ra) narrated that
Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) said, "A man shall be asked concerning
five things on the day of resurrection: concerning his life, how he
spent it; concerning his youth, how he grew old; concerning his
wealth, whence he acquired it, and in what way he spent it; and what
was it that he did with the knowledge that he had." (Tirmidhi 5197)
Take account of yourself before the weighing scale is established. And
be prepared for a great accounting. Just as man carries a watch in
order to keep track of time, in the same manner, he should assign a
watch forhimself that will keep a track of his daily activities. He
should check everyday the actions that are beneficial to him and the
actions that harm him. Every night when we lie down on the bed, we
should analyze our entireday and scrutinize each and every of our
actions. 'What did we eat?' 'What did we earn?' 'Did we commit any
sin?' At the same time we should alsoremember about the Day of Qiyamat
(day of resurrection). If we find that we have performed good actions,
then we should praise Allah (SWT) and if we find that we have
performed bad actions, then we should seek forgiveness from Him and
resolve not to repeat them.
It was asked from Imam Ali (as): How should a person take account of himself?
Imam Ali (as) replied: When a person ends his day, then he should turn
towards himself and say 'O self! This day that has passed will not
return. Allah (SWT) will ask you about how you wasted your day. He
will ask you about the actions you performed, whether you remembered
Him and praised Him? Whether you fulfilled a right of your fellow
believer? Did you remove a difficulty that befell upon a believer? Did
you protect his children in his absence? Did you safeguard his rights
afterhis death? Did you - on account of your position - prevent anyone
from backbiting your believing brother? Did you help any Muslim
throughout the day?
Thus every man should ponder over his actions that he has performed
during the day. If he finds that he has done good actions, then he
should praise Allah (SWT) for giving him the opportunity (Taufeeq).
But if he finds that he hascommitted sins, then he should seek
forgiveness from Allah (SWT) and make a firm intention that he shall
not repeat that act again.
Then let us be strict with ourselves every time we account for
ourselves, just as a master is strict with his slave, or as a partner
takes account of another partner. So account of yourself before your
account is taken which will be so severe that there shall be no scope
for rectification.
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