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.

More:

  1. Ali on fear, hope, knowledge and patience
  2. A Comfortable Life
  3. Three Laughs and Three Tears
  4. The best you can meet Allah with
  5. Until the Heart is sealed
  6. There’s nothing like being safe
  7. Relying on some deeds, forgetting others

August 23, 2010

Topics: dunyâ, Good deeds, sins, the hereafter

Names:

9 Responses to “Hardship and prosperity, obedience and sin”

  1. Saajid al-Hindee on August 24, 2010 07:40

    Rabbana! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Aakhirah that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Naar! Aameen.

  2. Ridwân on August 24, 2010 15:06

    Salamun alaykum,

    I assume it is not a general rule.

  3. Owais Al-Hashimi on August 25, 2010 14:22

    Wa alaykumus-salam,
    Yes, there may be different reasons and wisdom behind a person's circumstances, as found in other texts.

  4. Umm Omar on August 26, 2010 02:50

    as Salamu alaykum brother,

    Jazakumullah Khayr fith dunya wal aakhirah for such a nice effort on this blog. I really appreciate it. I started putting up a blog entirely dedicated for Ramadan resources for Tamil speaking people and use some of your posts translated into Tamil wherever appropriate. And many many more posts jus keep me amazed. It is true that one can become pious and more devoted to Allah by knowing the way salafs lived. Jazakumullah Khayr once again. wa Salam

  5. Abdul on September 6, 2010 04:17

    Is there any backing evidence to support the saying of Wuhayb b. Al-Ward – Allâh have mercy on him , from Quran or Sunnah?
    Kindly elaborate any evidence from Quran and Sunnah .

  6. Ashraf on September 7, 2010 18:07

    As-Salaamu Alaikum

    This site is masha'Allah one of the finest around, may Allah bless you.

    I have a small request: please try to give a biography of the salaf that the saying is attributed to, and also a few lines about the book from which it is quoted and its compiler, if possible — no matter how short these briefings are. This would be particularly helpful when the salaf happens to be from the lesser known ones.
    There was one such point in one of your old posts titled "They All Feared Hypocrisy" with a note drawn from "Fath Al-Bari".

    Baarak Allahu Feekum.

  7. Owais Al-Hashimi on September 9, 2010 15:14

    Wa alaykumus-salam wa rahmatullah,
    Allah bless you too.
    These are very relevant suggestions. They are in the process of slowly being implemented. Been intending to do some of these things for a long time. Currently researching re-designing the site to incorporate more information like this. Will add biographical information to new names in sha Allah. Information on references is also in the pipeline.
    Jazakallahu khayran for the feedback.

  8. Umm Yasmin on September 13, 2010 18:13

    Assalaamu 'Alaikoum wa Rahmatullaah wa Barakatuhu
    This sayings makes me feel really worried. Does it means that if you haven't experienced any of this you are not righteous? I have experienced fear but not to say i live in fear. I have experienced some finacial difficulties (but as everybody else..),.. could someone explain it more please? I am worried. Jazakallaahu khairan

  9. Abu Ahmed on September 23, 2010 17:54

    No dont worry. Allah test people in different ways. Some people are tested with alot of wealth while others are tested with poverty. And we see this from the sahaba as some were rich while others were poor. People are tested differently, the important thing is to have sabr when you are tested and do as much righteous deeds as you can at times of ease.