The Kiraaman Kaatibeen are aware of our deeds and they record our deeds constantly. When a pious person dies, the angels address the individual and they praise him for his deeds and they reveal the fact that they used to pray for him. They intercede to Allah ta'ala on his behalf.
On the other hand, when the sinner dies, the angels scorn him for his actions and they request the angel of death to cause pain to him. The sinner will be regretful of his actions, however, it will be too late.
"It is they who will have forgiveness and a mighty reward." [11:11]
To attain forgiveness from Allah ta'ala is the biggest achievement. Such people mentioned in this verse are forgiven by Allah ta'ala in this world.
How to attain a great reward?
Worship will not cause us to attain reward because many of us commit grave sins and criminality alongside worshipping. In reality, there is no greater action than prayer, however, our prayer and other worship do not positively impact us.
There are two types of worship. Performing physical acts of worship such as fasting and prayer and the worship of the heart, which is attaining excellent conduct. Great character is what will earn us forgiveness and a great reward. It preserves our worship and it enables our deeds to be accepted in the court of Allah ta'ala.
A person does not attain Wilaayah through his worship or hard work. Rather, he attains Wilaayah through attaining a high level of character. Likewise, the noble companions attained the heights through their improved character which was achieved through the company of the Prophet ﷺ and not through their personal worship.
The main worship of a believer is to improve his heart and through this, his acts of worship are accepted. This improvement is attained through the company of the pious.
"If We give people a taste of Our mercy then take it away from them, they become utterly desperate, ungrateful." [11:9]
Allah ta'ala grants us children and wealth due to His mercy. He allows us to taste this experience, however, His true mercy we will be bestowed upon us in the Hereafter. The real enjoyment is in Paradise.
Our situations change all the time. We go through many emotions during our daily life. This is part of life and through this struggle, we may attain Paradise or Hellfire.
The Quran provides us examples of historical people who were once elevated, but soon their kingdom and wealth crumbled. Similarly, Allah ta'ala tests us with comfortable and difficult times to determine whether we will attain Paradise or Hellfire.
When Allah ta'ala takes away from a person, he becomes deflated and ungrateful, to the point where he forgets his previous blessings. He complains against Allah ta'ala and speaks ill of the deen.
"But if We give them a taste of prosperity after being touched with adversity, they say, “My ills are gone,” and become totally prideful and boastful." [11:10]
When Allah ta'ala grants a person ease after difficulties, he begins to have pride and he thinks he has achieved due to his own efforts. He considers his flourishing business to be as a result of his own achievements.
"Except those who patiently endure and do good. It is they who will have forgiveness and a mighty reward." [11:11]
Here, Allah ta'ala states that we must develop patience before performing worship. It is the heart which demonstrates patience and causes one to become grateful.
When Allah ta'ala blesses us and fulfils our needs, He expects our gratitude. This gratitude is displayed by utilising our blessings to obey Allah ta'ala's orders and refraining from acts of disobedience.
When Allah ta'ala removes our blessings to test us, He expects our patience instead of ungratefulness.
Patience refers to being satisfied with the decree of Allah ta'ala and without displaying any complaints. When one is grateful and patient, he develops great character.
Our problems in this world will not be solved due to our empty worship. We often worship to gain something in return or to have our problems resolved and our condition improved. This demonstrates that a person worships due to his own circumstances and not due to the pleasure of Allah ta'ala.
In reality, our worship is not what will make us succeed. Rather, our excellent conduct is what brings our deeds to the level of acceptance and ensures that they are performed purely for the pleasure of Allah ta'ala.
Nabi ﷺ was sent to the universe to perfect the character of Mankind. Excellent conduct is what changes and improves a person. The wali Allah causes ones heart to be revived and this is what develops ones character.
When a human being makes a slight intention to improve, Allah ta'ala grants him guidance. Unfortunately, we are afraid to make an intention. We suppress good thoughts. We should grab the opportunity to change without harbouring corrupt intentions which in turn prevent us towards good.
If ones intention is correct when visiting a Sheikh, Allah ta'ala inspires the Sheikh with whatever is beneficial for him and he will address the student accordingly.
Our duty in this world is to develop the character which Nabi ﷺ possessed. To achieve this, we must clean our heart through dhikr and by sitting in the company of the Sheikh. In such a way, our heart becomes rectified and through this worship, Allah ta'ala grants us forgiveness and a great reward.
After this, we may worship and experience the enjoyment from our worship.
We must work hard to attain our objective, which is to attain Allah ta'alas pleasure. We must obey the Prophet ﷺ and in return, Allah ta'ala will make us His beloved and forgive our sins.
The Kiraaman Kaatibeen are aware of our deeds and they record our deeds constantly. When a pious person dies, the angels address the individual and they praise him for his deeds and they reveal the fact that they used to pray for him. They intercede to Allah ta'ala on his behalf.
On the other hand, when the sinner dies, the angels scorn him for his actions and they request the angel of death to cause pain to him. The sinner will be regretful of his actions, however, it will be too late.
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌۭ وَأَجْرٌۭ كَبِيرٌۭ
"It is they who will have forgiveness and a mighty reward." [11:11]
To attain forgiveness from Allah ta'ala is the biggest achievement. Such people mentioned in this verse are forgiven by Allah ta'ala in this world.
How to attain a great reward?
Worship will not cause us to attain reward because many of us commit grave sins and criminality alongside worshipping. In reality, there is no greater action than prayer, however, our prayer and other worship do not positively impact us.
There are two types of worship. Performing physical acts of worship such as fasting and prayer and the worship of the heart, which is attaining excellent conduct. Great character is what will earn us forgiveness and a great reward. It preserves our worship and it enables our deeds to be accepted in the court of Allah ta'ala.
A person does not attain Wilaayah through his worship or hard work. Rather, he attains Wilaayah through attaining a high level of character. Likewise, the noble companions attained the heights through their improved character which was achieved through the company of the Prophet ﷺ and not through their personal worship.
The main worship of a believer is to improve his heart and through this, his acts of worship are accepted. This improvement is attained through the company of the pious.
وَلَئِنْ أَذَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِنَّا رَحْمَةًۭ ثُمَّ نَزَعْنَـٰهَا مِنْهُ إِنَّهُۥ لَيَـُٔوسٌۭ كَفُورٌۭ
"If We give people a taste of Our mercy then take it away from them, they become utterly desperate, ungrateful." [11:9]
Allah ta'ala grants us children and wealth due to His mercy. He allows us to taste this experience, however, His true mercy we will be bestowed upon us in the Hereafter. The real enjoyment is in Paradise.
Our situations change all the time. We go through many emotions during our daily life. This is part of life and through this struggle, we may attain Paradise or Hellfire.
The Quran provides us examples of historical people who were once elevated, but soon their kingdom and wealth crumbled. Similarly, Allah ta'ala tests us with comfortable and difficult times to determine whether we will attain Paradise or Hellfire.
When Allah ta'ala takes away from a person, he becomes deflated and ungrateful, to the point where he forgets his previous blessings. He complains against Allah ta'ala and speaks ill of the deen.
وَلَئِنْ أَذَقْنَـٰهُ نَعْمَآءَ بَعْدَ ضَرَّآءَ مَسَّتْهُ لَيَقُولَنَّ ذَهَبَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتُ عَنِّىٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَفَرِحٌۭ فَخُورٌ ١٠
"But if We give them a taste of prosperity after being touched with adversity, they say, “My ills are gone,” and become totally prideful and boastful." [11:10]
When Allah ta'ala grants a person ease after difficulties, he begins to have pride and he thinks he has achieved due to his own efforts. He considers his flourishing business to be as a result of his own achievements.
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌۭ وَأَجْرٌۭ كَبِيرٌۭ
"Except those who patiently endure and do good. It is they who will have forgiveness and a mighty reward." [11:11]
Here, Allah ta'ala states that we must develop patience before performing worship. It is the heart which demonstrates patience and causes one to become grateful.
When Allah ta'ala blesses us and fulfils our needs, He expects our gratitude. This gratitude is displayed by utilising our blessings to obey Allah ta'ala's orders and refraining from acts of disobedience.
When Allah ta'ala removes our blessings to test us, He expects our patience instead of ungratefulness.
Patience refers to being satisfied with the decree of Allah ta'ala and without displaying any complaints. When one is grateful and patient, he develops great character.
Our problems in this world will not be solved due to our empty worship. We often worship to gain something in return or to have our problems resolved and our condition improved. This demonstrates that a person worships due to his own circumstances and not due to the pleasure of Allah ta'ala.
In reality, our worship is not what will make us succeed. Rather, our excellent conduct is what brings our deeds to the level of acceptance and ensures that they are performed purely for the pleasure of Allah ta'ala.
Nabi ﷺ was sent to the universe to perfect the character of Mankind. Excellent conduct is what changes and improves a person. The wali Allah causes ones heart to be revived and this is what develops ones character.
When a human being makes a slight intention to improve, Allah ta'ala grants him guidance. Unfortunately, we are afraid to make an intention. We suppress good thoughts. We should grab the opportunity to change without harbouring corrupt intentions which in turn prevent us towards good.
If ones intention is correct when visiting a Sheikh, Allah ta'ala inspires the Sheikh with whatever is beneficial for him and he will address the student accordingly.
Our duty in this world is to develop the character which Nabi ﷺ possessed. To achieve this, we must clean our heart through dhikr and by sitting in the company of the Sheikh. In such a way, our heart becomes rectified and through this worship, Allah ta'ala grants us forgiveness and a great reward.
After this, we may worship and experience the enjoyment from our worship.
We must work hard to attain our objective, which is to attain Allah ta'alas pleasure. We must obey the Prophet ﷺ and in return, Allah ta'ala will make us His beloved and forgive our sins.
May Allah ta'ala allow us to implement. Ameen