Religion consists of two parts, the leaving undone of what is forbidden and the performance of duties. Of these the setting aside of what is forbidden is the weightier, for the duties or acts of obedience are within the power of everyone, but only the upright are able to set aside their appetites. For that reason Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
'The true flight or Hijrah is the flight from evil, and the real Holy War or jihad is the warfare against one's passions.'
You disobey or sin against Allah only through the parts of your body. Yet these are a gift to you from Allah and a trust committed to you. To employ Allah's gift in order to sin against Him is the height of ingratitude; to betray the trust which Allah committed to you is the height of presumption. The parts of your body are your subjects; see to it, then, how you rule over them. 'Each of you is a ruler, and each of you is responsible for those he rules over.'
All the parts of your body will bear witness against you in the courts of resurrection, with voluble and sharp, that is, eloquent, tongue, declaring your faults before the chief of the creatures. Allah most high says:
'On a day when their tongues and hands and feet will bear witness against them for what they have been doing.'[Qur'an 24,24]
'Today we shall set a seal upon their mouths and their hands will speak to Us, and their feet will testify what they have been piling up.' [Qur'an 36,65]
extract from The Faith and Practice of Al-Ghazali by W Montgomery Watt
Please visit the Ramadan articles site.
May Allah give us the ability to make use of the upcoming blessed month of Ramadan to avoid sins, distance ourselves from Hellfire and draw closer to attaining jannah for the hereafter, ameen.
Wasalam
No comments:
Post a Comment