For The Sake of Allah

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For The Sake of Allah

By Rubina Siddiqui

On the authority of Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), who narrated that the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Allah the Almighty said: I am as My servant thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assemble better than it. And if he draws near to Me an arm's length, I draw near to him a fathom's length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.” Related by al-Buhkari (Muslim, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn-Majah).

This beautiful Hadith shows us how Allah the almighty reciprocates our sincere and true efforts for His sake alone.

"For the sake of Allah subhaana wa ta'aala" is a very simple yet powerful term with far more implications. A question we should ask ourselves, how much do we really do for the sake of Allah subhaana wa ta'aala in our daily lives?

In our worldly life we usually make so many sacrifices and changes in ourselves for the different people we love in order to make them happy. Sometimes despite our best efforts fellow human beings fail to appreciate or acknowledge such sacrifices. This is a result of human weakness and imperfection. On the contrary Allah is As-Samie (the all hearing), Al-Baseer (one who sees all things), Al-Wadud (Most loving) and much more! Who better than Allah (the most merciful) to make changes for, in whose hands lie all the decisions of this world and the hereafter.

Acceptance of deeds in Islam depends on the intentions that accompany them. On the authority of Omar bin Al-Khattab, who said : I heard the messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam say :"Actions are but by intention and every man shall have but that which he intended. Thus he whose migration was for Allah and His messenger, his migration was for Allah and His messenger, and he whose migration was to achieve some worldly benefit or to take some woman in marriage, his migration was for that for which he migrated." related by Bukhari and Muslim

Activities associated with our daily needs become worship if conducted in accordance with Allah subhaana wa ta'aala’s deen and for His sake alone.

Earning our livelihood takes up a major portion of our time today. By sincerely fulfilling our commitment to the work place for Allah‘s sake, time spent at work becomes worship. Often we do our best to please our boss or to impress our colleagues. If the same is done with the intention to please Allah subhaana wa ta'aala, we gain both our living and eternal reward in the hereafter.

Our free time is spent in social activities. When friends are made or company avoided to promote adherence to the deen we please our Creator and gain reward while having fun and doing what we like.

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, "On the Day of Resurrection, Allah, the Exalted, will say: `Where are those who have mutual love for the sake of My Glory? Today I shall shelter them in My Shade when there will be no shade except Mine". [Muslim]. 

A positive environment is guaranteed by avoiding common but serious errors in social settings. Backbiting, competition fueled by jealousy and inability to accept constructive criticism is easily avoidable if our motivation is to do so for Allah’s sake alone.

In the month of Ramadan we go about our daily lives and try to fulfill our duties to the best of our ability without thinking of it as a hardship but a way to please Allah subhaana wa ta'aala. This attitude of being sincere towards our deen and dunya with the main driving factor of Allah’s pleasure should be our goal during the rest of the year as well.

When we give in charity we part with our hard earned wealth. If this is done for Allah’s sake then Allah subhaana wa ta'aala has promised a great reward.

“The likeness of those who spend their wealth in Allah's way is as the likeness of a grain which groweth seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. Allah giveth increase manifold to whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing. Those who spend their wealth for the cause of Allah and afterward make not reproach and injury to follow that which they have spent; their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them, neither shall they grieve.” (2:261-262).

If charity is given to gain status or praise in society, then that becomes our only gain. Seeking the blessings of Allah subhaana wa ta'aala before you engage yourself in any activity in your life is quintessential. Because at the end of the day this life is a gift from Allah (the most merciful).

May Allah the Exalted guide us to implement what we learn, live by halal means, perform all acts of worship for His sake alone. To be kind, merciful and just in our dealings with others. May Allah forgive our sins and include us amongst those who have gained his favors, Ameen.

Posted in: Islam