Chapter 4: Consequences of IMAN

Chapter 4: Consequences of IMAN

A student studies hard for his final examinations, researching in libraries,
practicing past papers and revising his notes because he wants a university
degree which will help advance his career.



A businessman invests much of his time, energy and money into a commercial
venture in the hope of large profits in the future.



A farmer ploughs his land, sows it, waters it and tends it regularly in the hope
of a good harvest.



They all know that success does not come down on a plate but has to be achieved
through hard work. Man does certain things in life for certain results, and he
avoids other acts because of their consequences. An adult will not put his hand
into a naked flame because he knows that fire burns, but a child will do so as
he is unaware of the consequences. The most important Belief and Knowledge that
should dictate our actions is that Allah Almighty exists, that He is the Creator
and Provider, and that none can benefit nor harm us except with His permission.
If a person?s Iman (faith) in Allah is firm and unyielding, he will be able to
direct all his worship and obedience to Allah and will feel no fear of false
deities or worldly powers.



Consider the encounter of Pharaoh?s court magicians with Prophet Musa as
described in the Qur'aan. Before meeting the Prophet, they pleaded with Pharaoh
for a substantial reward were they to defeat Musa in a duel using magic.



"So the sorcerers came to Pharaoh and said, 'Of course we shall have a suitable
reward if we win." (Surah Al-A'raaf v113)



Pharaoh accepted their plea and promised them not only a reward but also
positions at court. When the encounter with Musa began, the magicians realized
quickly that while their own display was simple magic, Musa?s display was
extraordinary and much more than any human could conjure up. So overawed were
they by Musa?s miracles that they all fell down in sajda (prostration) saying,



?We believe in the Lord of the Worlds. The Lord of Musa and Harun,? (Surah Ta Ha
v 70)



Pharaoh was stunned by their declaration of faith in Allah and shouted :



?Have you believed in Him before I gave you permission? Be sure, I will cut off
your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and then I will crucify you on
trunks of palm trees. So shall you know which of us can give the more severe and
lasting punishment.? (Surah Ta Ha v 71)



These threats did not frighten the magicians. These men who had just been
begging Pharaoh for more gold coins now became so fearless because of their
faith in Allah that they answered him back easily.



?Never shall we prefer you over the Clear Signs that have come to us and Him who
has created us. So decree whatever you wish to decree. For you can only decree
concerning the matters of this world. We have believed in our Lord; may He
forgive us our faults and the magic to which you did compel us, for Allah is the
Best and forever abiding". (Surah Ta Ha v 72-73)



What You Sow you will Reap.



The man who believes that there is no afterlife and that he will not be
accountable in a divine court becomes a slave of this world. He hankers after
its comforts and luxuries, and will break any laws that stand between him and
success. In his desperate quest for more wealth, he will refuse to differentiate
between halal and haram. The tyrants and criminals of this world operate in the
same manner. If to achieve their goals requires murder and violence, then so be
it. The Bosnian Serbs were among the twentieth century?s worst examples of
barbarity and tyranny; led by a pathological lust for more land, their evil knew
no bounds.



In contrast is the man who believes in Allah and in the questioning of the Last
Day. He fears his Creator?s wrath and desires his Lord?s favors. Certainty of
belief in paradise and hell guides his entire life, not just the moments spent
in prayer. To him this world is merely a short journey, the destination of which
is the Hereafter. Thus he directs most of his efforts towards earning Paradise
and devotes only part of his time to earning his bread in this world. He is
constantly aware of his divine mission to call the misguided people around him
to Islam and so he buries himself in da?wah work.



Belief in the Hereafter is the catalyst which stimulates the souls seeking a
better future and its importance has been emphasized in the Qur'aan repeatedly.
The true believers have been described as those who have firm faith in the
Hereafter, because that will be the true life.



?What is the life of this world but amusement and p lay? But indeed the home of
the Hereafter is the true Life, if only they knew.? (Surah Al Ankabut v 64)



The Ultimate Success is not in amassing fortunes, being famous or having a
fantastic career, but success is in escaping the fires of hell.



?Every soul shall taste death, and only on the Day of Judgement will you receive
your full recompense. The one who is saved from the Fire and admitted into
Paradise will have attained success, for the life of the world is nothing but
the goods of deception. (Surah Aal Imran v 185)



The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) declared that wise is the
man who reminds himself constantly of the accountability on the Day of
Resurrection and so works hard for the life succeeding death. And stupid is the
man whose only concerns are the transient desires and comforts of this life.



The Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) also described this world as a farm
for the 'Akhira.' (Hereafter). Whatever you sow in this world, you shall reap in
the Hereafter. In order that people may not become complacent that the Day of
Judgment is far away in the distant future, he advised each person to remember
that his Judgment will begin on the day he dies