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Hardship and prosperity, obedience and sin
It is reported that Wuhayb b. Al-Ward – Allâh have mercy on him – said:
Verily, when Allâh the Exalted wants to honor a servant of His (for his righteousness), He afflicts him with a reduced means of living, illness in his body and a fearful life (all of which expiate his sins). Until death comes upon him, and he still has some sins, death is made hard upon him because of them, causing him to meet Allâh with no sins against him.
And when a person is of little value to Allâh (because of his disobedience), He makes his body healthy, broadens his means of living and makes him feel safe (the rewards for any good deeds he did are exhausted). Until death comes upon him, and he still has some good deeds, the experience of death is lightened for him because of them, and he meets Allâh with nothing.
Abu Bakr Al-Daynûrî, Al-Mujâlasah wa Jawâhir Al-’Ilm article 2865.
Fearing that Wealth is your only Reward
‘Abd Al-Rahmân b. ‘Awf – Allâh be pleased with him – was once brought some food, and he had been fasting. He said:
Mus‘ab b. ‘Umayr was killed, and he was better than me and he was buried with a cloak as a shroud: if his head was covered with it his legs would be uncovered and if his legs were covered with it his head would be uncovered. And Hamzah was killed and he was better than me. Then, after that time, we were given what we were given of worldly wealth, and we fear that [the reward of] our good deeds has been quickened for us [in this life].
He then began to cry so much that he left his food.
Al-Bukhârî, Al-Sahîh hadith 1275 and other places.
Faith is not just in the heart [definition of Iman]
Imâm Al-Awzâ’î – Allâh have mercy on him – said:
Faith (îmân) is not sound except with [correct] words. Faith and words are not sound except with [good] works. And faith, words and deeds are not sound except with [the correct] intentions in conformance to the Sunnah. Those who went before us of our Salaf did not separate faith from deeds: deeds are a part of faith, and faith is from [ones deeds]. îmân is a word that brings together these aspects of the religions [of Allâh] and is confirmed through [a person's] works.
So whoever believes in word, knows in his heart and confirms [his belief] through his works, then this is the strongest handhold that will never break. And whoever says [words of faith] but does not know [faith] in his heart nor confirms it with his works, it will never be accepted of him and he will be in the hereafter from those who suffer in loss.
Ibn Ba tt ah, Al-Ibânah Al-Kubrâ article 1097.
The Best of then and Now
It is reported that Mujâhid – Allâh have mercy on him – said:
Those who strive and exert themselves (al-mujtahid) amongst you today are like those who used to play around amongst those before you.
Wakî’ b. Al-Jarrâh, Al-Zuhd article 221.
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The worst time, the worst people
It is reported that Abû Hâzim Al-Ashja’î – Allâh have mercy on him – said:
If you find yourself in a time when speech is accepted as knowledge and knowledge is accepted as deeds [instead of putting it into practice], then you are in the worst time and with the worst people.
Abû Bakr Al-Daynûrî, Al-Mujâlasah wa Jawâhir Al-’Ilm` 4:338.
Abû Hâzim Salmân Al-Ashja’î (died circa 100H) was one of the eminent Tâbi’în. He was a fully reliable transmitter of hadîth and a companion of Abû Hurayrah – Allâh be pleased with him.
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