My Biggest Idol Shaddad ibne Aws (radi Allahu anhu) once began to cry. People asked why he was crying, so he replied, “It is something I heard from Rasulullah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) which makes me weep when I remember it. Rasulullah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘I fear for my people Shirk (ascribing partners to Allah) and hidden desires.’ I asked: ‘O Rasulullah! Would your people be guilty of idolatry after your death?’ Rasulullah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) replied: ‘Yes (but) they will not worship the sun, the moon, a stone or an idol; but they will act for display (without sincerity). Hidden desire is that one of them will start the day fasting, but when one of his desires will present itself to him; he will abandon his fast (and satisfy his desire).’” [Musnad Ahmed] A man was offering his prayers in his house. He was praying as fast as he could as many of us do. All of a sudden, he heard the door behind him open. Since someone had entered the room, he started making his Ruku and Sujood longer. Upon completion of his Salah he looked back to see who it was. To his amazement, it was a dog! Today we are ready to perfect our Salah for a dog. But for the Creator, we rarely lengthen our Qiyam (standing), Ruku (bowing) and Sujood (prostrations).Today we don beautiful clothes and jewelry if we are to meet a renowned person. Whereas when the pious people of the past would get up for Tahajjud prayer at night, they would wear their best clothes, put on Surma and adorn themselves to stand in front of Allah. Everything a Muslim does should be for Allah. If the intention behind the act of Allah’s obedience is to please other than Allah, then the person has set up another entity alongside Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) who is to be pleased. The believers are intense in their love of Allah, everything else is secondary for them. “Among the people there are some who set up co-gods beside Allah whom they love like the love due to Allah. But those who believe are most intense in their love for Allah.” [Quran: Surah Al-Baqara, Ayat 165] So how is showing off and acting for display a type of Shirk? Because its goal is not the pleasure of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) – it is ultimately oneself, one’s Nafs and its desires, whom one is trying to satisfy and please. The person showing off is most intense in his love of himself and his desires. “Have you seen the one who has taken his desires as his god.” [Quran: Surah Al-Furqan, Ayat 43] Is my Nafs the biggest idol I hide in my chest today?
Posted on: Sat, 16 Nov 2013 19:23:28 +0000
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