Certainty … the life of hearts

Our talk in this article is going to be about one of the highest ranks
in the religion and a quality of the virtuous… it is certainty.
Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim said about the rank of certainty: "It's importance
for belief, is like that of the soul to the body. It is based on this
rank that the righteous differ in status and in it they compete and
strive hard. Their deeds are based on it, and their aims directed to
it. If patience were to marry certainty, they would obtain the rank of
leadership in piety with respect to this religion. Allaah says (what
means): "And We made from among them leaders (i.e. in piety) guiding
by Our command when they were patient and [when] they were certain of
Our signs" [Quran: 32: 24].Allaah made benefiting from the signs and
evidences peculiar to the people of certainty saying (what means):
"And on the earth are signs for the certain [in faith]" [Quran: 51:
20].Allaah alsomade success and guidance one of their distinct
qualities saying (what means): " And who believe in what has been
revealedto you, [O Muhammad ], and what was revealed before you, and
of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith]. Those are upon [right]
guidance from their Lord, and they who are the successful" [Quran: 2:
4-5]. Additionally, Allaah Has informed us that the dwellers of the
Fire were not amongst the people of certainty saying (what means): "
And when it was said, 'Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth and the
Hour [is coming] — no doubt about it, you said, 'We know not what is
the Hour. We assume only assumption, and we are not convinced.'"
[Quran: 45: 32]. Thus certainty is the life for deeds, hearts and
limbs … it is the reality of truthfulness … it is the essence of the
religion and around it the matter revolves" [End of quote].
Reliance is one of the fruits of certainty:
Reliance is one of the fruits of certainty and thus it was appropriate
to connect guidance to it,as Allaah says (what means): "So rely upon
Allah; indeed, you are upon the clear truth" [Quran: 27:79]; the clear
truth here refers to certainty.
The messengers of Allaah said, as we are informed by Allaah in the
followingverse (which means): "And why should we not rely upon Allah
while He has guided us to our [good] ways." [Quran: 14:12] Once
certainty reaches the heart, it fills with light and brightness, the
result of which is that doubt, discontentment, anguish,anxiety all
depart from ones heart, and it is filledinstead with the love of
Allaah, fear of Him, contentment with Him, gratitude towards
Allaah,reliance on Him and returning to Him. Certainty is the essence
ofall these qualities and thething that instigates them.
The Prophet said: "The reformation of the first (generations) of this
nation (i.e. the Muslims) results from their being ascetic and having
certainty in Allaah; while the destruction of the last of it will be
due to stinginess and harboring false hopes to live longer than ones
destined time" [Ahmad]. In another narration he said: "The salvation
of this nation (i.e. the Muslims) results from their being ascetic and
having certainty in Allaah …" [Ibn Abu Ad-Dunyaa].
The Prophet asks for certainty from his Lord:
Ibn 'Umar reported: "The Prophet seldom left a gathering without
supplicating in these terms: "Allaahumma-qsim lanaamin khashyatika maa
tahoolu bihi baynanaa wa bayna ma`aaseeka, wa min taa`atika maa
tuballighunaa bihi jannataka, wa minal-yaqeeni maatuhawwinu bihi
`alaynaa masaa-'ibad-dunyaa. Allaahumma matti`naa bi-asmaa`ina, wa
absaarinaa maa ahyaitanaa, waj`alhul-waaritha minnaa, waj`al tha'rana
`alaa man thalamanaa, wansurnaa `alaa man `aadaanaa, wa laa taj`al
museebatanaa fee deeninaa, wa laa taj`alid-dunya akbara hamminaa, wa
laa mablagha `ilminaa, wa laa tusallit `alaynaa man-laa yarhamunaa, (O
Allaah, apportion to us such fear that will serve as a barrier between
usand acts of disobedience; and such obedience as will take us to Your
Paradise; and such as will make easy for us to bear the calamities of
this world. O Allaah! let us enjoy our hearing and our sight as long
as You keep us alive and make our heirs from our own offspring, and
make our revenge restricted to those who oppress us, and support us
against those who are hostile to us; let no misfortune afflict our
religion; let not worldly affairs beour principal concern, or the
ultimate limit of our knowledge, and let not those rule over us who do
not show mercy to us).'' [At-Tirmithi].
Certainty yields contentment and acceptance of deeds:
Abu Ad-Dardaa' said: "… An atom's weight of righteousness from a
person with piety and certainty is better, greater and more superior
than acts of worship as huge as mountains from a deceived person"
[Ahmad].
'Abdullaah Ibn Mas'ood said: "Relief, tranquility and joy are found in
certainty and contentment, while grief and anxiety are found in doubt
and discontentment".
'Ataa' Al-Khurasaani rarely left a gathering without saying: "O
Allaah,apportion to us such certainty that will make easy for us to
bear the calamities of this world, so that we will realize that only
what has been destined to happen will happen and that we will only
attain the provisionsthat You decreed for us".
Bilaal Ibn Sa'd said: "Oslaves of The Most Merciful! Know that you are
working in short daysfor the lengthy day to come; in a vanishing abode
for the eternal abode; in a dwelling of anxiety and weariness for a
dwelling with everlasting pleasure; and he who does not posses
certainty should not be deceived with his deeds... You neglect that
which Allaah commanded you to guard (i.e. His commands) and strive
hard to attain that which He guaranteed for you (i.e. provision). This
is nothow the certain slaves should be; how can they be intelligent in
seeking this life, and heedless of the purpose of their creation? Just
as you hope for the mercy of Allaah due to the obedient acts you
perform, likewise, fear His wrath that results from the sins you
commit".
Know that certainty is proportional to piety, as it will never be in a
heart that trusts other than Allaah.
Beautiful examples for ambitious people in attaining certainty:
The one who searches the pages of history findsit filled with
beautiful examples for ambitious people in attaining certainty and
trust in Allaah, such as:
Ibraaheem : This was one of his distinct qualities and all his stances
prove such a fact.His debate with his people reflected certainty, as
Allaah says (what means): "And his people argued with him. He said,
"Do you argue with me concerning Allah while He has guided me? And I
fear not what you associate with Him [and will not be harmed] unless
my Lord should will something. My Lord encompasses all things in
knowledge; then will you not remember? And how should I fear what you
associate while you do not fear that you have associated with Allah
that for which He has not sent down to you any authority? So which of
the two parties has more right tosecurity, if you should know?" They
who believe and do not mix their belief with injustice (i.e.
association of others in divinity with Allah.) — those will have
security and they are [rightly] guided." [Quran: 6:80-82]. How can
anyone hold such certainty fear other than Allaah?
His certainty and relianceon Allaah materializedwhen his people were
about to throw him in the fire and Jibreel (i.e. Gabriel) came to him
saying: "Do you need anything?" he replied:"If it is from you, then
no;then he started repeatingthe following terms: ` Allaah -Alone- is
sufficientfor us, and, He is the Best Disposer of affairs`".
Every one of his situations spoke aloud reflecting his certainty.
Additionally, his leaving his wife alone with his breastfeeding infant
in the desert is another bright example reflectinghis certainty.
Prophet Muhammad …the optimum ambition: Who can reach the level of our
Prophet whose certainty was an exampleto be imitated during hardships?
There was no hardship and grief that was more difficult than the time
when he had to migrate, as Allaah says (what means): "If you do not
aid him [i.e. the Prophet ( ) — Allaah has already aided him when
those who disbelieved had drivenhim out [of Makkah] as one of two (The
second was his companion, Abu Bakr), when theywere in the cave and he
[i.e. Muhammad ( )] said to his companion, 'Do not grieve; indeed
Allah is with us.' And Allahsent down His tranquility upon him and
supported him with soldiers [i.e. angels] you did not see and made the
word (i.e. their claims and slogans.) of those who disbelieved the
lowest (i.e. degraded and dishonored), while the word of Allah ("Laa
ilaaha Ill-Allaah" (None is worthy of worship except Allah)) — that is
the highest. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise" [Quran: 9:40].
When Abu Bakr said; "If one of them looks at the position of his feet
he wouldsee us" the Prophet calmed him down saying: "O Abu Bakr! What
do you think of two Whose third (in support) is Allaah?" Look how
certain he was in his Lord.
After he went through anextremely difficult time with the people of
Taa'if, the angel of mountains came to him and offered to take revenge
for him from those polytheist people, but instead he said: "I hope
that Allaah will bring from their progeny some who will not associate
others with Allaah".
The call of 'Umayr Ibn Al-Hamaam … a minaret of certainty: When he
heard the Prophet say: "Rise for a Paradise as wide as the Heavens and
the earth" he said: "Bakh, Bakh" which is an expression reflecting
ones astonishment. The Prophet said to him: "What made you say Bakh,
Bakh?" he said: "Nothing O Prophet of Allaah, other than the hope to
be amongst its dwellers". Thereupon, the Prophet said to him: "You are
one of its dwellers". He took out some dates that he had in his pocket
and started eating from them, then he said: "If I live long enough to
eat these dates, then this indeed would be a long life". Then he
tossed them away and fought until hewas killed. - - ▓███▓
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