ABD AL-AZIZ BIN ABDALLAH
Published — Friday 11 March 2016
Allah says: “Whatever of good befalls you, it is from Allah; and whatever of ill befalls you, it is from yourself.” (Qur’an, 4:79)
This and other similar verses outline for us an attitude that we should adopt, and that will make us better at coping with good fortune and adversity in our lives. Some people misunderstand these verses and refer all the weal and woe of their lives to Allah being either pleased or displeased with them.
Worldly prosperity is seen as a sign of Allah’s pleasure, while misfortune and loss are seen as evidence of Allah’s anger. Those who adopt this view are prone to confusion and susceptible to misguidance. There are indeed several verses in the Qur’an that establish a cause and effect relationship between virtue and vice on the one hand, and prosperity and ruin on the other.
The following verses are representative: “Whosoever does right, whether male or female, and is a believer, verily we shall give them a good life, and We shall pay them a recompense in proportion to the best of what they used to do.” (Qur’an, 16:97)
“What, when a misfortune befell you, and you had certainly afflicted (them) with twice as much, you began to say: Whence is this? Say: It is from yourselves. Surely Allah has power over all things.” (Qur’an, 3:165) These verses show us that those who engage in righteous deeds are recompensed by having their hearts grow stronger, by receiving sustenance by means that they cannot have anticipated, and by receiving great blessings in the little that they have.
By contrast, those who engage in evil deeds are punished by becoming hard-hearted, preoccupied with worries, and by various misfortunes.
However, this must be understood in the most general of terms. It cannot be used to analyze specific circumstances and situations. Health, affluence, and a happy family life cannot be used as an indicator that Allah is pleased with a particular person, or that the person is being rewarded for his or her good deeds. These circumstances might be given to the person as a test. They might even be given to give the person trespass in his iniquity.
In some cases, they may be a form of punishment. Allah says: “Let not their wealth nor their children dazzle you: In reality Allah’s plan is to punish them with these things in this life, and that their souls may perish in their (very) denial of Allah.” (Qur’an, 9:55)
The same can be said for poverty or sickness. We should consider the supplication the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us to make on behalf of a sick person: “May it be a purification, Allah willing.”
This supplication shows us that we should adopt an optimistic outlook about sickness and other misfortunes. Allah says: “Every soul must taste of death, and We try you with evil and with good, for ordeal. And unto Us you will be returned.” (Qur’an, 21:35)
It would be wrong to assume that not having children is a misfortune. It could very well be due to Allah’s mercy and His being pleased with the person. Maybe, it is a tribulation by which Allah raises the person’s status in the Hereafter. There may be a great wisdom behind Allah not granting someone children that the person will never come to know.
We should consider the incident when Khidr, while traveling with Moses (peace be upon him) , killed the young boy. Allah tells us : “So the two of them journeyed on until, when they met a lad, he slew him. (Moses) said: “What! Have you slain an innocent soul who has slain no man? Verily you have done a horrid thing’.” (Qur’an, 18:74)
There can be no doubt that the child’s parents must have thought the death of their son to be a great tragedy and misfortune. However, Khidr explains his action to Moses (peace be upon him) as follows: “And as for the lad, his parents were believers and we feared lest he should oppress them by rebellion and disbelief. And we intended that their Lord should change him for them for one better in purity and nearer to mercy.” (Qur’an, 18:80-81)
How often do we regard something that befalls us to be a great misfortune, when in fact it is really Allah showing His mercy to us. The opposite is equally true. Allah says: “Perhaps you hate a thing that is best for you, and you love a thing that is bad for you. Allah knows, while you know not.” (Qur’an, 2:216)
Allah’s decree in the world is known to Him alone. Therefore, it is wrong for us to take the general texts that show a cause and effect relationship between virtue and worldly consequences and try to apply them to specific people and circumstances. We should certainly not make decisive judgments about ourselves or others on such a basis, saying things like “Allah is punishing that person” or “Allah is pleased with him.”
The Prophets and the righteous people of the past were all tried with serious hardships. We cannot say that they suffered because Allah was punishing them. We can also see that Allah has granted certain sinners and unbelievers with considerable prosperity in this world. We cannot say that this shows Allah is pleased with them.
A believer should live between hope and fear. He should at all times be equally self-accusatory and conscious of Allah’s mercy and grace. The believer’s feelings of self-accusation and his awareness of his sins should be more acute when he is in health and prosperity. At times of sickness and hardship, he should grow more conscious of Allah’s mercy and His pleasure with our good deeds.
A Muslim should always be patient in adversity, thankful in prosperity. To be sure to achieve this state of mind, he should be conscious of Allah’s wisdom in testing us with every blessing and hardship. Such a Muslim will then show fortitude in sorrow and when his means are straitened. He will not regard his misfortune as Allah disgracing him. He will, instead, accuse himself, saying: “This is on account of my sins.”
This is why we see that Abbas used to say “No misfortune ever befell except on account of sin.” Others from among the Pious Predecessors used to say: “By Allah! If I committed any sin, I would see its consequences on my family and my steed.”
A Muslim who is conscious of Allah’s wisdom in testing us with every blessing and hardship will likewise show gratitude in prosperity. He will say: “This is from the grace and generosity of my Lord.” He will regard it as a test upon him.
We see Solomon (peace be upon him) saying: “This is from the bounty of my Lord, that He may try me whether I will give thanks or be ungrateful.” (Qur’an, 27:40) In this way, the Muslim will be sure to give thanks for Allah’s blessings, and he will avoid attributing those blessings to his own efforts. A believer should never bestow upon himself unmitigated praise or credit. Allah warns us against such haughtiness in the Qur’an: “As for man, whenever his Lord tries him by honoring him, and is gracious unto him, he says: My Lord has honored me. But whenever He tries him by straitening his means of life, he says: My Lord despises me. Nay! (this is not the case.)” (Qur’an, 89:15-17)
Allah does not give us the good that He blesses us with because we are deserving of it. He does so from His grace and bounty. He does not disgrace us when He withholds from us. Rather what He withholds from us is on account of His infinite wisdom.
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Courtesy: islamtoday.net
SOURCE: http://www.arabnews.com/islam-perspective/news/893241
Categories: Arab World, Asia, Qur'an, Quran, Saudi Arabia, The Muslim Times
From My View of Islam.
My view is difference with Abd Al aziz bin Abdallah.
We are all born with naked. Life is started from zero.
Allah has sent His guidance for His people in order His people can live in peace, Prosperity and happiness.
Allah and prophets have said in His Books (Bible and Al Quran ) that those who follow My guidance correctly and completely will reward good life on earth (Paradise ) and good life Hreafter (Paradise).
The best creature or people will reward 2 Paradise; One on earth, second Hereafter as God has promised;
“Those who have believed and have followed correctly of Allah. For them there is the good news ( paradise on earth) in the worldly life and in the paradise on Hereafter: there is no change in the words of Allah.That is the great achievement.” QS 10;64.
The best people can live in wealth and Luxury in this world, also he can live wealth and luxury Hereafter, and much better than Paradise in the world.
Verily, The pious believers will be in Delight or Paradise, And the Wicked; they will be in the Fire, (QS. 82:13).
Verily, those who believe and do righteous deeds, shall have the garden of Al Firdaus (Paradise) for their entertainment (QS18:107).
Saying `Ask forgiveness from your Lord; for He is Oft-Forgiving; “`He will send rain to you in abundance; `Give you increase in wealth and sons; and bestow on you Gardens and bestow on you rivers (of flowing water).
QS.. 71; 10-12.
These golden rule is found in Christianity and judaism too.
“Be sure that the book of law is always read in your worship.Study it day and night,and make sure that you obey everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.Joshuo;1:8-9
Those who love GOD inherit wealth and those who fear GOD prolong his life. Proverb.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said;
When a man dies, will was ultimately good deeds, except 3 things;
1. left a legacy of work that is beneficial to children, grandchildren and the community,
2. left a legacy of useful science book,
3. left the kid who always pray for his parents.
Narrated by Muslim.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said;
Traders or businessmen who are honest and straight and their prophets and pious Muslims in heaven. Tirmidhi.
This golden rule is found also in Christianity and Judaism or in Bible.
A GOOD MAN.
Prov.15:5. A good man leave inheritance to his children’s children.
Wise(pious) People live in wealth and luxury, but stupid people live in poverty. Those who love GOD inherit wealth and those who fear GOD prolong his life.Proverb 21;20.
My conclusion;
Those who follow Allah’s laws correctly and completely will reward 2 paradises; One on earth, second in Hereafter.
Those who follow Allah’s laws some and refuse the rest will place them disgrace on earth and will cast them to Hell. QS 2;85.
Those who live in poverty closer to Hell… Most of them fail to live in prosperity (Paradise), few of them can live in happiness. Why do they live in poverty,whereas Allah has provided in abundance of wealth on earth..because; one reason is lack of knowledge( lazy, like people who live in jungle), second most of them have been deceived by their idols. Their idols teach them do not live in wealth, because the wealth is evil.
Those who practice the false hadiths below will cause people are not productive, poor, likes the simple life , or afraid to become wealthy
( 1 ) The Messenger of Allah saw that in heaven itmost people are poor , while in hell most women . Muslim – Bukhary .
( 2 ) ” The rich are hard to get into the door of heaven for many
questions and crawling , while the poor soon enter heaven because there is no question about the property ( HR.Tarmidzi )
( 3 ) . Prophet prayed to Allah , ” O Allah make me a poor man and I turn off the poverty ” HR.Muslim .
I consider that these hadith are false hadith
I urge all Muslim do not follow false hadith that are against Al quran.
Was salam–With love
ISLAM PROMOTE OR ENCOURAGE MUSLIM LIVE IN WEALTHY
Often we heart from most Muslim Scholars that a poor Muslim will enter Paradise faster than a rich Muslim. They follow the false Hadith
as following;
( 1 ) The Messenger of Allah saw that in heaven it most people are poor , while in hell most women . Muslim – Bukhary .
( 2 ) . Prophet prayed to Allah , ” O Allah make me a poor man and I turn off the poverty ” HR.Muslim .
( 3)” People – the poor will enter paradise 500 years earlier than people – the rich ” ( ” Sahih Hadith ” , from Abu Hurai
It seems to us that Imam Muslim Bukhari (Idols) encourage Muslim to be poor instead of wealth or rich.
WHEREAS Allah n Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) encouraged Muslims to live in wealth n luxury as Allah n Prophet say in His Books Bible and Al Quran as following;
It is We who have placed you with authority on earth, and provided you therein with means for the fulfilment of your life: Little give ye thanks ! QS 7;10.
Read more;
https://docs.google.com/document/d/15bfHxFvm42BxXTmGyS-C_s-5XhaKgXK3_HdY7gS43TE/edit?usp=sharing
Was salam
WARNING TO THOSE WHO ONLY SEEK WORLDLY PARADISE.
This verse is addressed to people not believe in Allah and the Apostle are only concerned with earthly life.
It has been made attractive for people to love the desired things; that is, women, children, hoarded heaps of gold and silver, branded horses, cattle and tillage. That is an enjoyment of the worldly life; but with Allah lies the beauty of the final resort. QS 3:(14).
Those who seek a good life in this world and ignore a good life in Hereafter, he/she is a loser, like the life of Fir’aun (Pharoh). He was a King and the richest in the world, because he did not believe in God, he will cast to Hell in Hereafter.
WARNING TO THOSE WHO PERFORM RITUAL WORSHIP DILIGENTLY LESS WORKS.
This verse Sura 28:77 was addressed to scholars, Usztad and preachers who only perform ritual worship, without working hard for his worldly.
And look what God has given to you in the Hereafter, you must not forget from worldly pleasures and do good to others as I have done good to you. QS 28;77.
God has provided a wealth of in the earth and in the sea for a man who in creating it. Only a few people who enjoy it.
Who gave them food against hunger, and gave them security against fear. QS 106;4
And We sent down( iron, gold, silver, oil, gas ) in which there is strong power, and benefits for the people; 10 and (We did it) so that Allah knows the one who helps Him and His messengers without seeing (Him). Surely Allah is Strong, Mighty. QS 57;25.
We established you on earth, and created in it means of living for you. Little you appreciate. QS 7;10.
THE CONCEPT OF PARADISE IN ISLAM.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rqB3QTSw8641J12KnGdUDcRYmwSkUMfuRS3zme1wdNQ/edit?usp=sharing
So the fact that most muslims in the world live in basket case countries in miserable hard lives wracked with war is all down to their own behaviour. Does this mean that this is all a punishment from allah.
Oh – and by the way – nice theft of the prosperity gospel there!!
@ ashdeville===>Does this mean that this is all a punishment from Allah ?
Let me answer your question.
1. because of lack of knowledge. like people who live in jungle.
2.because of following the false teaching, they believe in idols instead of Al Quran, They teach his followers, do not seek wealth, you will be deceive by evil..
False Hadith; The poor will enter paradise 500 years earlier than people – the rich ” ( ” Sahih Hadith ” , from Abu Hurai
3, because of war and conflict
Yes, this poverty is kind of punishment–but not all, few of them will enter paradise with Allah’s wills.
Was salam
WARNING TO THOSE WHO SEEK WORLDLY LIFE AND IGNORE LIFE HEREAFTER.
For Example; King of Egypt, Fir’un , is wealthy King, he lived in Paradise, but unfortunately he did believe in Allah, so, he would not get paradise in Hereafter, Allah will put him in Hell forever.
Allah has warned His people do not Ignore Allah and life after death.
Those who seek (merely) the worldly life and its beauty, We will fully recompense them herein for their acts, and their right will not be curtailed in this world. (15) Those are the people for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter except fire. Nullified will be whatever they worked herein, and void will be what they have been doing.qs 11-15-16.
The worldly life is nothing but a game and fun, and the last abode is surely much better for those who fear Allah. Would you still not understand? Qs 6: (32)
Know well that the worldly life is but a play and an amusement, and a show of beauty, and exchange of boastful claims between you, and a competition of increase in riches and children. 8(All this is) like a rain, the growth of which attracts the farmers, then it withers, and you see it turning yellow, then it becomes straw. And in the Hereafter there is a severe punishment (for the disbelievers), and forgiveness from Allah and (Allah’s) pleasure (for the believers and the righteous). The worldly life is nothing but a material of delusion. Qs 57;20.
It has been made attractive for people to love the desired things; that is, women, children, hoarded heaps of gold and silver, branded horses, cattle and tillage. That is an enjoyment of the worldly life; but with Allah lies the beauty of the final resort. QS.3;14.
Conclusion;
Those who seek Paradise, or live in wealth, luxury, Allah will give them as long as they work according to Allah’s rule; such as; work hard, have knowledge, and you will have it. You will life in Paradise in this world. Allah is All Wiser, All Lover, Allah treat all people fairly, lovely and kindly in this world.
WARNING TO THOSE WHO SEEK PARADISE HEREAFTER, THEY IGNORE PARADISE ON EARTH.
For example; Those who religious bigot they ignore the lawful worldly pleasure such as women, children, hoarded heaps of gold and silver, branded horses, cattle and tillage. That is an enjoyment of the worldly life.
Allah says in His Book;
You fool, Do you want to be shown that faith without works is dead or useless.James 2:20
Allah has warned these people as follow;
And look what God has given to you in the Hereafter, you must not forget from worldly pleasures and do good to others as I have done good to you.QS 28;77.
Then once the Salah is over, disperse in the land, and seek the grace of Allah, and remember Allah abundantly, so that you may be successful. QS 62;10.
Allah has named these religious bigot are dead or useless people. They have been deceived by Evil-scholars, and bring poverty and misery life on earth.
These religious bigot will not receive a life of Paradise on earth and Hereafter. They are loser.
ALLAH WANT HIS PEOPLE CAN LIVE IN WEALTH ON EARTH AND HEREAFTER TOO.
Allah send Guidant books in order His people can live in peace, prosperity dan happiness or live in Paradise on earth and Hereafter as Allah says in al quran;
Those who have believed and have been fearful of Allah. For them there is the good news in the worldly life (paradise) and in the Hereafter(paradise ): there is no change in the words of Allah.That is the great achievement. QS 10;63-64.
From Bible;
Those who love GOD inherit wealth and those who fear GOD prolong his life. Proverb.
Wise(taqwa) People live in wealth and luxury, but stupid people live in poverty. Proverb 21;20.
These who earn 2 Paradises, Allah name him is the best creature on Earth. Prophet Muhammad saw name him the best Human.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said; “The best of people are those who are of most benefit to others.”
“Verily, those who believe and do righteous good deeds, they are the best of creature.Their reward is with Allah: Gardens of Eternity, beneath which rivers flow; they will dwell therein forever; Allah well pleased with them, and they with Him: all this for such as fear their Lord and Cherisher.” (QS.98:7-8).
Hopefully these wisdom from Allah will inspire those who read this article,ameen
Was Salam–With my love