The Trade of Sincere Muslims

There is no doubt that the reward of Allaah The Almighty is better and
more lasting than any worldly benefit. Allaah, the Exalted, Says )what
means(:}But what is with Allaah is better and more lasting for those
who have believed and upon their Lord rely.{]Quran 42: 36[
Indeed, one's good deeds are generously rewarded by Allaah The
Almighty; He Says )what means(:}And whatever good you put forward for
yourselves – you will find it with Allaah. It is better and greater in
reward.{]Quran 73:20[
Herein lies the great importance of seeking the reward of Allaah The
Almighty. What exactly do we mean by that?
There are various types and meanings of hoping for the reward of
Allaah The Almighty, including:
Seeking the reward of Allaah The Almighty when carrying out acts of
obedience for His sake
If one recalls the great meaning of hoping for the reward of Allaah
The Almighty while performing acts of obedience, this would ward off
ill thoughts such as indulging in ostentation, seeking reputation and
fame or the praise and attention of people, and other manifestations
of grave diseases of the heart that render deeds worthless or reduce
their rewards. Such a Muslim has restricted his main concern;
conversely, the Muslim whose sole aim is to attain the satisfaction of
Allaah The Exalted with these deeds and hopes for His reward will be
rewarded generously. The Prophetsaid:"Whoever fasts Ramadan out of
faith and hoping for reward from Allaah The Exalted will have his past
sins forgiven for him."
Abu Hurayrahnarrated that the Prophetsaid:"Whoever follows the funeral
procession of a Muslim out of faith and hoping to attain the reward of
Allaah and remains with it till the funeral prayer is offered and the
burial ceremonies are over, will return with a reward of two Qirats;
each of which is like the size of )the Mount( Uhud."]Al-Bukhaari and
Muslim[
In addition, the Muslim man is rewarded for providing for his family
)although it is obligatory for the man to provide for his family, he
will be rewarded for it as if he was offering this money for charity,
if his intention is seeking the reward of Allaah The Exalted(. The
Prophetsaid:"When the Muslim spends something on his family seeking a
reward for it from Allaah, it is counted for him as
charity."]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[
Do you see how many rewards one can gain by offering one's acts of
obedience seeking the reward of Allaah The Almighty?
Among the meanings of seeking the reward of Allaah The Almighty is
hoping for His reward when afflicted with calamites and hardship
Allaah The Almighty has praised such pious people who endure calamites
and hardship, seeking the reward of Allaah The Exalted and has
promised them His mercy, guidance and abundant rewards. Allaah The
Exalted Says )what means(:}Who, when disaster strikes them, say,
"Indeed we belong to Allaah, and indeed to Him we will return." *
Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy.
And it is those who are the ]rightly[ guided.{]Quran 2:156-157[
Undeniably, people, whether believers or disbelievers, are afflicted
by many calamites and adversities in this life; yet the believers
endure them hoping for the reward of Allaah The Almighty. Indeed, both
believers and disbelievers suffer from losing loved ones and
relatives, yet there is a great difference between the believers and
disbelievers in this regard, i.e. the believers hope for the reward of
Allaah The Exalted by enduring such misfortunes and hardships
patiently.
Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}And do not weaken in pursuit of
the enemy. If you should be suffering, so are they suffering as you
are suffering, but you expect from Allaah that which they expect not.
And Allaah is ever Knowing and Wise.{]Quran 3:104[
Regarding the compensation of those who endure calamites and
hardships, hoping for the reward of Allaah The Almighty, the
Prophetsaid:"Allaah The Exalted does not have a reward other than
Paradise for the believing slave who remains patient for His sake when
losing his dearest person from among the inhabitants of the world."
Furthermore, Umm Salamahsaid that she heard the Prophetsaying:"There
is no Muslim who is stricken with a calamity and says what Allaah has
enjoined, 'Verily to Allaah we belong and to Him we shall return. O
Allaah, reward me for my affliction and compensate me with what is
better', but Allaah will compensate him with something better."
Umm Salamahadded that when Abu Salamahdied, she said, "Who among the
Muslims is better than Abu Salamah, the first household to migrate to
join the Prophet?" When she uttered these very words, Allaah The
Almighty compensated her with marrying the Prophet. ]Muslim[
Moreover, our righteous predecessors used to question all their deeds
and intentions, renewing their good and sincere intentions and
advising each other to endure calamites in the hope of reward from
Allaah The Almighty.
Al-Faarooq 'Umar ibn Al-Khattaabused to say, "O people, carry out your
righteous deeds seeking the reward from Allaah The Exalted, for
whoever does so will be rewarded for his good deeds and for his
seeking the reward of Allaah The Exalted."
In addition, when the Banu Al-Haarith ibn 'Aamir wanted to kill
Khubayb ibn 'Adiyyhe did not care about his fate at their hands.
Before his death, he said, "Why should I fear death when it will
eventually seize me, and when what I truly fear is to become fuel for
Hell fire? Hence, as long as I die as a believer in the cause of
Allaah, it does not matter to me how it happens."
So, offer your acts of worship and obedience for the sake of Allaah
The Almighty seeking reward from Him, and endure calamities and
hardships, hoping for His reward; indeed, Allaah The Almighty will
compensate you for that with inner tranquilly, serenity, and strength,
Aim high and multiply your rewards.