Faith in The Divine Decree: The Writing (2/2)
Shaykh Muhammad Salih Al-Uthaymeen
I ask Allah to purify my intentions and your intentions because intentions play a major role in one's orientation. The heart is the chief and it controls man. We must therefore consider the heart, examine it and purify it - perhaps, it contains impurities. Man might pretend to perform good deeds through the limbs but there might be in his heart this corrupt impurity that leads one to the fire in the end.
Some of the Salaf said,
"My soul has not striven for anything
- its striving is (only) for Ikhlas (sincerity)."
That which many of us consider insignificant requires immense striving. If there is any bit of Riya (show-off) in a person, he is not a mukhlis (one who possesses Ikhlas - sincerity). Perhaps, Riya might be in his heart and it becomes a cause of his destruction at the last moment.
Ibn Qayyim (rahimahullah) mentioned (a story with regards to) the effects of sins and its consequences. A man indulged in Riba (interest - forbidden business) was prompted to recite the Shahadah by his family members at the verge of death. But he would only say 'ten eleven' because his heart only contained those prohibited issues that prevailed and overwhelmed it at the last moment. We seek Allah's Refuge.
When Imam Ahmad (rahimahullah) was at the verge of death – and his knowledge, worship and piety are well-known – whenever he lost consciousness, he would say, "not yet, not yet.'
So he was asked upon regaining his consciousness, "O Abu Abdullah, what was your saying, 'not yet, not yet?’ ”
He replied, "I saw Shaytan biting on his fingers and saying, 'You have passed me. O Ahmad.' I told him, 'Not yet, not yet.' Meaning I have not passed you as long as the soul in the body.
Man is thus in danger and as the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, "...until there is no more than a cubit between him and it (Paradise) then the decree overtakes him and he does the actions of the people of Hell and thus he enters it (Hell)."
(iii) The Annual Writing which is recorded annually during Laylatul-Qadr (The Night of Qadr). (This Writing is) concerning what will happen during the (coming) year.
"We sent it (this Qur'an) down on a blessed night in the month of Ramadan. Verily, We are ever warning. Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments." [Soorah ad-Dukhan (44): 3-4]
'Decreed' means every issue is clarified and specified in detail.
Allah also says, “Verily! We have sent it (this Qur'an) down in the night of al-Qadr.” [Soorah al-Qadr (97): 1]
(iv) The Continuous Daily Writing is the writing of the actions because indeed man does not act except that it is recorded – whether the act was in his favor or against him as Allah says, “Nay! But you deny the recompense. But verily, over you (are appointed angels in charge of mankind) to watch you, Kiraman (honorable) Katibeen writing down (your deeds). They know all that you do.” [Soorah al-Infitaar (82): 9-10]
“Indeed We have created man, and We know what his own self whispers to him.We are nearer to him than his jugular vein (by Our Knowledge). (Remember!) that the two receivers (recording angels) receive, one sitting on the right and the other on the left. Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).” [Soorah al-Qaf (50): 16-18]
This Continuous Daily Writing is different from the previous writings. The previous writings are concerning what man will do whereas this writing is concerning actions which he has performed and thus he will be recompensed (accounted) for them.
(v) The Writing of the Angels that are present at the doors of the mosques on Friday. “They write down (the names of) those who reach the mosque first.
Whoever reaches at the first hour, it is as if he has sacrificed a camel (in Allah's cause).
Whoever goes in the second hour it is as if he has sacrificed a cow.
Whoever goes in the third hour, it is as if he has sacrificed a horned ram.
Whoever goes in the fourth hour, it is as if he has sacrificed a hen.
Whoever goes in the fifth hour, it is as if he has offered an egg.
When the Imam comes out (i.e. starts delivering the sermon), the angels present themselves to listen to the sermon." [Reported by Saheeh al-Bukharee]