Together with the amazing level of sacrifice, the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ also had a genuine and deep fear of Allah Ta’ala in their hearts. I wish that the Muslims of today could have a speck of that fear of Allah Ta’ala. Here are a few stories about the fear of Allah Ta’ala in the lives of Sahaabah رَضِىَ اللّهُ عَنْ ثُمْ .
Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says that whenever a strong wind started to blow, bringing with it thick clouds, then Nabi’s ﷺ face would change colour with the fear of Allah Ta’ala. He would become restless and would go in and out with worry, and would recite the following dua:
Translation: “O my Allah! I ask of You the good out of this wind, the good out of that which is in this wind, and the good out of that which is the outcome of this wind. I seek protection in You from the evil of this wind, from the evil out of that which is in this wind, and from the evil out of that which is the outcome of this wind.”
She says: “And then when it began to rain, signs of happiness appeared on his face. I said to him once, ‘O Nabi of Allah, when clouds appear everybody is happy because it will rain, but why is it that I see you so worried at that time?’ He replied, ‘O, ‘Aa’ishah! How can I feel safe that this wind does not warn of the anger of Allah Ta’ala? The people of A’ad were punished with the wind. They were happy when they saw the thick clouds (gathering), believing that they had brought rain; but actually those clouds brought no rain but total destruction to the people of 'Aad.’” Nabi ﷺ was obviously talking about the following Aayaat of the Qur-aan:
Translation: “Then, when they saw it (the punishment) as a cloud coming toward their valleys, they said: ‘This is a cloud that will bringing us rain.’ Rather, it was that very thing (punishment) which you sought to hasten, a fierce wind bearing a painful punishment, it demolished everything (in its path) by the command of its Rabb and it transpired that only their homes could be seen. Thus did We punish the sinful nation.” (Surah A’hqaaf - Aayah 24-25)
Look at the fear of Allah Ta’ala in the heart of a person who is the best of all creation. In spite of a clear Aayat in the Qur-aan1 that Allah Ta’ala would not punish the people so long as Nabi ﷺ was with them he has so much fear of Allah Ta’ala in him, that a strong wind reminds him of the punishment given to the people in the past. Now let us look into our own hearts for a moment. Although we are full of sins, yet earthquakes, lightning, etc., do not cause any fear of Allah Ta’ala in our hearts and, instead of making Istighfaar or Salaah at such times, we only get busy in silly inquiries.
1 Surah Anfaal – Aayah 33
Hadhrat Nadhr-bin-Abdullah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “One day while Hadhrat Anas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was alive, it became very dark during the day time. I went to him and asked, ‘Did you ever see such a thing in the time of Nabi ﷺ ?’ He replied, ‘I seek refuge in Allah Ta’ala! In those days, if the breeze grew a little stronger than normal, we would rush towards the Masjid, fearing the coming of the Last Day.’” Hadhrat Abu Darda رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “Whenever there was a storm, Nabi ﷺ would get worried and go to the Masjid.”
Nowadays, even at the time of the worst of problems, who thinks of going to the Masjid? Leave aside the common people, even those who regard themselves as good and practicing Muslims, do not practice this Sunnat.
The sun was once in eclipse in Nabi’s ﷺ time. The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ left their jobs. Even the young boys practicing with their bow and arrows rushed towards the Masjid to know what Nabi ﷺ would do at that time. Nabi ﷺ started Salaah of two rakaat, which were so long that some people fainted and fell down. He wept in his Salaah and said: “O Allah! You have said that You will not punish them as long as I am with them and so long as they seek Your forgiveness.” This refers to an Aayat in the Qur-aan wherein Allah Ta’ala says:
Translation: “But Allah Ta’ala would not punish them while You are with them, nor will He punish them while they seek forgiveness.” (Surah Anfaal - Aayah 33)
He then addressed the people saying: “You should rush for Salaah whenever you find the Sun or the Moon in eclipse. If you know the signs of the Last Day as I do, then surely you would weep more and laugh less. In all such occasions, read Salaah; make dua to Allah Ta’ala and give sadaqah (charity) to the poor.”
Once Nabi ﷺ kept crying the whole night, again and again repeating the following aayat:
Translation: “If You punish them, they are Your slaves; and if You forgive them, You only are the Mighty, the Wise.” (Surah Maai’dah - Aayah 118)
It is said about Imaam Abu Haneefah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ that he also once wept the whole night, reciting the following aayat of the Qur-aan in Tahajjud:
Translation: “Separate yourselves on this day, O sinful people.” (Surah Yaaseen - Aayah 59)
This aayat means that on the Day of Qiyaamah, the sinful people will be asked to separate themselves from the good people, and will not be allowed to mix with them as they were doing in the world. Why should the people, with fear of Allah Ta’ala in their hearts, not weep in anxiety regarding to which class they will belong to on that Day?
According to our belief, Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ is the highest person after the Ambiyaa عَلَيْهِم السَّلَامُ . Nabi ﷺ himself gave him the good news of his being the head of a group of people in Jannah.
Nabi ﷺ once said: “Abu Bakr's رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ name shall be called out from all the gates of Jannah, and he will be the first of my followers to enter it.” With all these virtues, Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ used to say: “I wish I was a tree that would be cut and finished off.” Sometimes he would say: “I wish I was a blade of grass, whose life ended with the grazing of an animal.” He also said: “I wish I was a strand of hair on the body of a Mu'min.” Once he went to a garden, where he saw a bird singing. He sighed deeply and said: “O, Bird! How lucky you are! You eat, you drink and fly under the shade of the trees, and you fear no questioning on the Day of Qiyaamah. I wish I was just like you.” Hadhrat Rabi’ah Aslami رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “I once had an argument with Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and he said a word that I did not like. He realised it immediately and said to me; ‘Brother, please say that word back to me.’ I refused to do so. He insisted, and even spoke of telling Nabi ﷺ about it, but I did not agree to say that word. He got up and left me. A few people of my family said, ‘Look! How strange! The person does wrong to you and on top of that, he wants to complain to Nabi ﷺ .’ I said, ‘Do you know who he is. He is Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . To displease him is to displease Nabi ﷺ and to displease Nabi ﷺ is to displease Allah Ta’ala, and if Allah Ta’ala is displeased then who can save Rabi’ah from destruction?’ I went to Nabi ﷺ and mentioned the whole story to him. He said, ‘You were quite right in refusing to say that word. But you could have said this much in reply: O, Abu Bakr, may Allah Ta’ala forgive you!’” Look at the fear of Allah Ta’ala in Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . He wants to clear his books in this world. As soon as he spoke something slightly wrong to a person, he regrets it and asks that person to say that word back to him. He even threatens to have the problem solved by taking it to Nabi ﷺ . We are in the habit of saying bad words to others, but we do not fear the consequences or the reckoning in the Aakhirat.
Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ would often hold a straw (piece of dry grass) in his hand and say: “I wish I were a straw like this.” Sometimes he would say: “I wish my mother had not given birth to me.” Once he was busy with some important work when a person came to him and complained about a small problem and requested him to solve it. Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ lashed him across his shoulders, saying: “When I sit for that job, you do not come to me, but when I am busy in other important work you come with your complaints and disturb me.” The person walked away. Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ sent for him and handing his whip over to him, said: “You lash me now to even things up.” The person said: “I forgive you for the sake of Allah Ta’ala.” Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ went home, read two rakaats Salaah in repentance and scolded himself, saying: “O, Umar! You were low but Allah Ta’ala raised you. You were lost but Allah Ta’ala guided you. You were an ordinary person but Allah Ta’ala honoured you and made you rule over the people. Now one of them comes and asks you for help in the wrong done to him, and you beat him. What answer will you give before Allah Ta’ala?” He kept on scolding himself for a very long time. Once, when Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was going towards Harrah (a suburb of Madinah) with his slave Aslam, he saw a fire in the desert. He said: “There seems to be a camp. Perhaps, it is a caravan that could not enter the town because it was too dark. Let’s go and look after them and arrange for their protection during the night.” When he reached there, he found a woman and some children. The children were crying. The woman had a pot of water over the fire. Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ greeted her with salaam and with her permission, went near her. ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ asked: “Why are these children crying?” The woman replied: “Because they are hungry.” ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ again asked: “What is in the pot?” The woman replied: “Only water, to calm the children, so that they may go to sleep thinking that food is being prepared for them. Ah! On the Day of Qiyaamah, Allah Ta’ala will judge between Umar رضى اللّهُ عَنْ and me, for not taking care of me when I am in difficulty.”
‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , (weeping), said: “May Allah Ta’ala have mercy on you! How can ‘Umar know of your problem?” The Woman replied: “When he is our Amir, he must keep himself informed about us.” Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ returned to the town and immediately went to Baitul-Maal to fill a sack with flour, dates, fat and clothes, and also took some money. When the sack was ready, he said to his slave Aslam: “Put this sack on my back, Aslam.” Aslam said: “No please, Amirul-Mu’mineen! I shall carry this sack.” Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ refused to listen to Aslam, even when he tried to force him, and said: “What! Will you carry my load on the Day of Qiyaamah? I must carry this bag, because I will be questioned about this woman in the Aakhirat.” Aslam unhappily placed the bag on Hadhrat Umar’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ back and he carried it quickly right to the woman’s tent. Aslam followed him. He put a little flour and some dates and fat in the pot and began to stir. He blew (with his mouth) into the fire to light it. Aslam says: “I saw the smoke passing through his thick beard.” After some time, the food was ready. He himself served it to the family. After they had eaten to their full, he gave them the little that was left for their next meal. The children were very happy after their meal and began to play about happily. The woman felt very grateful and said: “May Allah Ta’ala reward you for your kindness! In fact you deserve to take the place of the Khalifah instead of ‘Umar.” ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said: “When you come to see the Khalifah, you will find me there.” He sat for a while at a place close by and kept on watching the children. He then returned to Madinah. On his way back, he said to Aslam: “Aslam, Do you know why I sat there? I had seen them crying out of hunger; I liked to see them laughing and happy for some time.” It is said that Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ used to recite Surah Kahf, Surah Thaahaa and other such Surahs when leading the Fajr Salaah and would weep so much, that his crying could be heard a few rows back. Once he was reading Surah Yusuf in Fajr, when he came to the Aayat:
Translation: “I only complain of my problems and grief to Allah Ta’ala,” (Surah Yoosuf - Aayah 86)
He wept so much, that he could not recite any further. In Tahajjud Salaah, he would sometimes fall to the ground because of his excessive weeping. Such was the fear of Allah Ta’ala in Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , whose name struck terror in the hearts of the strongest kings of his time. Even today, the people are filled with awe (fear) when they read about him. Is there any person in power today who is prepared to show such kindness to the people he is in charge of?
Wahab bin Munabbah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says: “Abdullah bin Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ became blind in his old age. I once led him to the Haram Shareef in Makkah, where he heard a group of people arguing. He asked me to lead him to them. He greeted them with ‘Assalaamu Alaikum.’ They asked him to sit down, but he refused and said: ‘May I tell you about people who hold a high position in the sight of Allah Ta’ala? They are those whom His fear has caused them to be silent, even though they are able to speak. In fact they are able to speak very well and have a good understanding. The zikr of Allah Ta’ala has over-powered them and they do not speak much. They only do good actions. Why are you not like these people?’ After this scolding, I never even saw a group of two people in the Haram.” It is said that Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا used to weep so much with Allah Ta’ala’s fear that the tears flowing down his cheeks had left marks on them. In this story, Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ has shown a very easy way to do good actions. This is, to think about the greatness of Allah Ta’ala. If this is done, it becomes very easy to do all other good actions with full sincerity. Is it so difficult to spend a few minutes, out of the twenty four hours of a day, to think about the greatness of Allah Ta’ala?
The Tabuk journey is one of the major battles of Nabi ﷺ and the last one in which he took part in. When he heard that the Caesar (king of Rome) had gathered a large army to wipe out Islam and was on his way (through Syria) to Madinah, he decided to lead the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ to stop him on his way. On Thursday, the 5th Rajab, 9 A.H., the Muslims marched out of Madinah. As the weather was hot and the fighting was expected to be very tough, Nabi ﷺ made a clear announcement that the Muslims should gather in strength and prepare fully to face the Roman army. He also encouraged them to spend towards the equipment of the army. It was at this time that Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ gave all his wealth and belongings. When he was asked by Nabi ﷺ as to what he had left for his family, he replied: “I have left Allah Ta’ala and His Nabi ﷺ for them.”
Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ gave half of his belongings and Hadhrat ‘Usmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ gave enough for the equipment of one-third of the army. Although everyone gave more than what he could afford, the equipment was still short. Ten people had to share a camel which they rode in turns. This is why this battle is known as, “The campaign of hardship.” The journey was long and the weather hot and dry. The orchards were full of ripe dates (the main food of Madinah) and it was just the time for harvesting, when all of a sudden the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ were asked to go for this battle. It was really a severe test of their Imaan. They imagined the long and difficult journey ahead, the boiling heat, the strong enemy, and to top it all, losing the entire year’s crop of dates, but they could not even dream of missing this battle because of the deep fear of Allah Ta’ala in their hearts. Except for the women, children (who were excused), those who were excused to stay behind by Nabi ﷺ himself and the munaafiqeen, nearly everybody else joined the army. Also amongst those who were left behind were people who did not have any animal to ride on, nor could Nabi ﷺ provide them with any. It is about them that Allah Ta’ala says in his Qur-aan:
Translation: “They turned back with eyes flowing with tears in sorrow that they could not find something to spend.” (Surah Taubah - Aayah 92)
From the true believers, there were three who had stayed behind without any excuse. Their story will be presented later. On their way to Syria, when the Muslims reached the area of the nation of Samood, Nabi ﷺ covered his face with his upper garment and quickened the speed of his camel. He also instructed the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ to do the same, since that was the place of destruction of the nation of Samood. They were told to pass there weeping and fearing that Allah Ta’ala punishes them as he had punished the people of Samood. The dearest and the most beloved Nabi of Allah ﷺ and his Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ pass by the area of the punished people in fear and tears, before they are also punished. On the other hand today, if any place is struck with an earthquake, it becomes a place of sightseeing for us and, if we see any ruins, our eyes remain dry and our hearts unaffected. What a change of attitude!
Amongst the Munaafiqeen (hypocrites who pretend to be Muslims) who did not join in The Battle of Tabuk, there were more than eighty people from the Ansaar and another eighty from the desert Arabs and a large number from the outskirts. They themselves did not go and they encouraged others not to go as well. They said,
Translation: “Don’t go out in the heat.” (Surah Taubah - Aayah 81)
Allah Ta’ala’s reply to this was:
Translation: “Say, the fire of Jahannam is much hotter.” (Surah Taubah - Aayah 81)
From amongst the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ , there were only three people who failed to join Nabi ﷺ . They were Muraarah bin Rabi, Hilaal bin Umayyah and Ka’ab bin Maalik رضِىَ اللّهُ عَنْهم . Muraarah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ had orchards full of dates. He decided to stay behind saying: “I have taken part in all the battles so far. What can happen if I miss this one?” He feared losing his crop of dates and this stopped him from going out. Later when he realised his mistake, he gave away the whole crop with the garden in charity. Hadhrat Hilaal’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ case was different. Some of his family who had been away for a long time, had just returned to Madinah. It was for the sake of their company that he did not join the Battle. He had also taken part in all the battles before and thought (like Muraarah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ ) that it would not matter if he missed just this one battle. When he came to know of the seriousness of his mistake, he made up his mind not to speak to all those relatives who had been the cause of this mistake. Hadhrat Ka’ab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ himself explains his story as follows: He says, “I had never been as rich as I was at the time of Tabuk. I had two camels of my own which I never owned before. It was a habit of Nabi ﷺ that he never disclosed the destination of his expeditions, but he would keep enquiring about the conditions of other places. But this time because Tabuk was very far, the weather extremely hot and the very strong enemy, he had announced his destination, so that thorough and complete preparations could be made. The number of Muslims was so large that it was difficult to write down their names, so much so, that those who were absent would not even be noticed in the large crowd. The gardens of Madinah were full of fruit. I intended every morning to prepare for the journey, but somehow or the other, the days passed by and I had not even started. I knew that I had all that I needed and that I could be ready whenever I wanted.
I had still not yet decided when I learnt that Nabi ﷺ had already left with the Sahaabahرَضى الله عَنْ مْ . I still knew in my mind that I could take a day or two to get ready and catch up with them. This delay continued till the time of Nabi’sﷺ arrival in Tabuk. I then tried to get ready but again, somehow or the other, I did not do so. Now, when I came to look at the people left behind, I realised that there was no one in Madinah except those who were known to be Munaafiqeen or had been specially allowed to stay behind for certain valid reasons. On reaching Tabuk, Nabi ﷺ asked: ‘How is it that I do not see Ka’ab?’ Somebody said, ‘O, Nabi of Allah: His wealth has caused him to stay behind.’ Hadhrat Muaaz رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ quickly said, ‘No, this is wrong. As far as our knowledge goes, he is a true Muslim.’ However, Nabi ﷺ kept quiet.”
Hadhrat Ka’ab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “After a few days I heard the news of Nabi’s ﷺ return. I was full of grief and sadness. Good excuses, one after the other, entered my mind and I was sure that I could escape Nabi’s ﷺ anger with one of them for the time being, and later on ask for Allah Ta’ala’s forgiveness. I also asked the wise men of my family for advice. However, when I came to know that Nabi ﷺ had returned, I was certain that nothing but the truth would save me. So I decided to speak the truth. It was the noble habit of Nabi ﷺ that whenever he returned from a journey, he would first go to the Masjid and perform two rakaat ‘Tahiyyatul Masjid’ and then stay there for a while to meet visitors. As he sat in the Masjid, the Munaafiqeen came and gave their excuses taking oaths as to why they did not join him in the battle. He accepted their excuses leaving the matter to Allah Ta’ala. Just then I came and greeted him with salaam. He turned his face away with a sarcastic smile. I begged him with the words: ‘O, Nabi of Allah! You turn your face away from me. By Allah! Neither am I a Munaafiq, nor do I have the least doubt on my Imaan.’ He asked me to come near and I did so. He then asked me: ‘What stopped you from coming with me? Did you not purchase the two camels?’ I replied: ‘O, Nabi of Allah, if I was talking to a worldly man, then I am sure that I would escape his anger by making good excuses, because Allah Ta’ala has gifted me with the ability to speak very well. But in your case, I am sure that if I speak lies, Allah Ta’ala would be angry with me. I also know that if I displease you by speaking the truth, then Allah Ta’ala would very soon remove your displeasure. I will therefore speak the truth. By Allah, I had no excuse at all. I had never been as rich as I was at that time.’ Nabi ﷺ said: ‘He is speaking the truth.’ He then told me: ‘You go away; Allah Ta’ala will decide your matter.’ When I left the Masjid, many people from my family scolded me saying, ‘Never before had you done any wrong. If, after making some good excuse, you had asked Nabi ﷺ to make dua for you, then surely his dua would have been enough for you.’ I asked them if there were any more people like me. They told me that there were two other people: Hilaal bin Umayyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and Muraarah bin Rabi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , who also had spoken the truth like me and received the same reply from Nabi ﷺ . I knew that both of them were very good Muslims and had taken part in the Battle of Badr. Nabi ﷺ instructed that no one should speak to the three of us.” Hadhrat Ka'ab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ continues: “Because of the instructions of Nabi ﷺ , the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ completely ignored us. Nobody was prepared to mix with or even speak to us. It seemed as if I was living in a strange land. My own birth-place looked like a strange land and my best friends behaved like strangers towards me.
Translation: ‘Until the earth narrowed for them despite its vastness’ (Surah Taubah - Aayah 118)
The thing that worried me most was that, if I died in this condition, Nabi ﷺ would not lead my Janaazah Salaah and if Nabi ﷺ passed away in the meantime, I would be doomed forever, with no one to talk to and with no one to make dua at my funeral. The other two friends of mine stayed in their houses. I was the most daring of the three. I would go to the market and join the Jamaat for Salaah, but nobody would talk to me. I would come to Nabi ﷺ and say, ‘Assalaamu Alaikum’ and would watch eagerly to see if his lips moved in reply. After Fardh, I used to complete the Salaah standing close to him, and I would look at him from the corner of my eye to see if he ever looked at me. I noticed that when I was busy in Salaah he did look at me, but when I had finished, he would turn his face away from me.” Hadhrat Ka'ab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ continues: “When this social boycott became too difficult for me to bear, I one day climbed up the wall of my dear cousin, Qataadah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , and greeted him with ‘Assalaamu Alaikum’. He did not return my salaam. I told him, ‘For the sake of Allah Ta’ala, do answer my question. Don’t you know that I love Allah Ta’ala and His Nabi ﷺ ?’ He kept quiet. I repeated my question, but again he would not speak. When I asked for the third time, he simply said, Allah Ta’ala and His Nabi ﷺ know best.’ At this, tears flowed out of my eyes and he left me alone. Once, whilst passing through a street of Madinah, I noticed a Coptic Christian, who had come from Syria to sell grain, asking about Ka’ab bin Maalik. When the people pointed me out to him, he gave me a letter from the Christian King of Ghassaan. It read: ‘We have come to know that your master has ill-treated you. Allah Ta’ala will not keep you in disgrace. You should come to us. We shall help you.’ When I read this letter, I said: ‘Inna-lillahi-wa-Inna-ilaihi-raaji-oon’ (To Allah we belong and to Him is our return and said); ‘So my situation is so bad that even the Kuffaar are trying to make me leave Islam.’ I could not imagine anything worse than that. I threw the letter into the fire and then went to Nabi ﷺ and said: ‘O, Nabi of Allah! Your treatment towards me has lowered me so much that even the Kuffaar are trying to convert me.’ When forty days had passed in this condition, a messenger of Nabi ﷺ brought me this command: ‘Be separated from your wife,’ I asked him, ‘Must I divorce her?’ He replied: ‘No, only be separated.’ A similar message was delivered to my other two friends as well. I therefore told my wife: ‘Go to your parents and wait till Allah Ta’ala decides my case.’ Hadhrat Hilaal’s رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ wife went to Nabi ﷺ and said; ‘O, Nabi of Allah! Hilaal ﷺ is an old man and there is nobody else to look after him. If I go away from him, he will die. If it is not very serious, kindly allow me to look after him.’ Nabi ﷺ replied; ‘You may do so provided that you do not fulfil his conjugal rights.’ She remarked! ‘O,
Nabi of Allah: He has no urge for such a thing; since the day his ordeal has started, he has been spending his entire time weeping.’” Hadhrat Ka’ab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “It was suggested to me that I should also ask Nabi ﷺ for permission to keep my wife with me, but I said; ‘Hilaal is old, while I am young. I do not know what reply I will get and besides, I have no courage to ask him.’ Another ten days had passed and now our test had lasted a full fifty days. On the morning of the fiftieth day, I had performed my Fajr Salaah and was sitting on the roof of my house full of grief. The earth had closed upon me and life had become miserable for me. I heard an announcer from over the top of mount Sala, ‘Good news to you, O, Ka’ab.’ The moment I heard this, I fell on the ground in sajdah and tears of joy rolled down my cheeks, as I understood that our test was now over. In fact, after the Salaah that morning, Nabi ﷺ had announced Allah Ta’ala’s forgiveness for all three of us. A person ran up to the top of the mountain and announced the forgiveness in a loud voice and this was the announcement that had reached me. Thereafter, a rider came galloping to deliver the same happy news to me. I gave away the clothes that I was wearing as a gift to the person who brought the good news to me. I swear by Allah Ta’ala, that I had no other clothes at that time. I dressed up by borrowing clothes from some friend and went to Nabi ﷺ . As I entered the Masjid, the people around Nabi ﷺ ran to congratulate me. Hadhrat Abu Talha 
was the first to reach me. He shook my hand with such warmth that I shall never forget. Thereafter I made salaam to Nabi ﷺ . I found his face shining like the full moon. This was normal whenever he was very happy. I told him, ‘O, Nabi of Allah! I wish to give away in charity all that I own as thanks for the acceptance of my Taubah.’ He said: ‘This will be too much for you. Keep some with you.’ I agreed and kept some behind with me. I agreed to keep my share of the booty that fell in our hands in the Khaiber campaign.” Hadhrat Ka’ab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “It is the truth that had saved me. I am determined to speak nothing but the truth in future.” This story explains the following beautiful qualities of the Muslims of that time:
ﷺ when they failed to listen to Allah Ta’ala’s call, even though it was for the first time in their lives. Their love and obedience to Nabi ﷺ . For full fifty days all 2. the Muslims, including their nearest and dearest ones, would not speak to these three people because of the order Nabi ﷺ . The three persons were themselves most steadfast through the entire ordeal imposed on them. Their strong faith (Imaan). Hadhrat Ka’ab رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was very worried 3. when he received the letter from the Christian King, asking him to defy Nabi ﷺ . His words and his action at that time are a proof of the strong Imaan in his heart. Let us search our hearts and see how devoted we are to our deen of Islam. Leave alone Zakaat and Hajj, which involve sacrifice and money, how many of us are particular about Salaah which is the most important pillar of Islam after Imaan?
Once, when Nabi ﷺ came to the Masjid for Salaah, he noticed some people laughing and giggling. He said: “If you remembered your death, I would not see you like this. Think of your death often. Not a single day passes when the Qabr (grave) does not call out: ‘I am a place of loneliness; I am a place of dust; I am a place of worms.’ When a Muslim is placed in the Qabr (grave), it says; ‘Welcome to you. It is good of you to have come into me. Of all the people walking on the earth, I liked you the best. Now that you have come into me, you will see how I treat you.’ The grave then expands as far as the eye can see. A door from Jannah is then opened for him in the Qabr (grave), and through this door he gets the fresh and sweet air of Jannah.
But when an evil man is placed in the Qabr (grave) it says; ‘No welcome for you. Your coming into me is very bad for you. Of all the people walking on the earth, I hated you the most. Now that you have come to me, you will see how I treat you!’ The Qabr (grave) then closes upon him so much that his ribs of one side go into the ribs of the other side. As many as seventy snakes are then set upon him to keep biting him till the Day of Qiyaamah. These snakes are so poisonous that if one of them spits its poison upon the earth, not a single blade of grass would ever grow again.” After this, Nabi ﷺ said: “The grave is either a garden of Jannah or a pit of Jahannam.” ‘The fear of Allah Ta’ala’ is a very basic and important aspect of a Muslim’s life. Nabi ﷺ asked us to remember death often and to always keep the fear of Allah Ta’ala in our hearts.
Hadhrat Hanzalah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “We were once with Nabi ﷺ when he delivered a khutbah. Our hearts became soft, our eyes were flowing with tears, and we realised where we stood. Thereafter, I left Nabi ﷺ and returned home. I sat with my wife and children and joked with them, and suddenly realised that the effect of Nabi’s ﷺ advices had completely vanished from my heart.
I thought to myself that I was not what I had been, and I told myself; ‘O, Hanzalah! You are a Munaafiq (hypocrite - one who claims to be a Muslim but hides disbelief in his heart)’. I was extremely worried and I left my house repeating these words in sorrow, ‘Hanzalah has become a Munaafiq’. I saw Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ coming towards me and I told him; ‘Hanzalah has become a Munaafiq.’ He said; ‘Subhaanallah! What are you saying? Hanzalah can never be a Munaafiq!’” I explained to him: “When we are with Nabi ﷺ and listen to his talks about Jannah and Jahannam, we feel as if both are in front of us, but when we return home and are busy at home, we forget all about the Aakhirah. Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said: “My case is exactly the same.” We both went to Nabi ﷺ and I said; “I have turned Munaafiq, O Nabi of Allah!” He asked what I meant, and I repeated what I had said to Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . Thereupon Nabi ﷺ said: “By him who controls my life, If you could stay at home like how you are when you are with me, then the Malaa’ikah would greet you whilst you are walking and in your beds. But, O, Hanzlah! This is almost impossible. This is almost impossible.” We have to look after our homes and jobs, and therefore we cannot be thinking about the Aakhirah twenty-four hours of the day. According to what has been said by Nabi ﷺ , to always think about the Aakhirah is almost impossible and it should not be expected by all. Only the Malaa’ikah remain like that at all times. In the case of men, the state of their mind changes with conditions and environments. But we can see from this story how concerned the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ were about the condition of their Imaan. Hanzalah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ suspects Nifaq in himself when he feels that the condition of his mind at home is not the same as it is when he is with Nabi ﷺ .
It is very difficult to write all that is said in the Qur-aan and the Hadith about the importance of the fear of Allah Ta’ala. However, remember that the fear of Allah Ta’ala is very important for progressing in our Deen. Nabi ﷺ has said: “The fear of Allah Ta’ala is the root of all wisdom.” Hadhrat Ibn ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ used to weep so much with the fear of Allah Ta’ala that he lost his eyesight. He told somebody: “You wonder at my weeping. Even the sun weeps with the fear of Allah Ta’ala.” On another occasion, he said: “Even the moon weeps with His fear.” Nabi ﷺ once passed by a Sahaabi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ who was reading the Qur-aan, when he came to the Aayat:
Translation: “And when the skies will split and become rosy (red) like hide (leather),” (Surah Rahmaan - Aayah 37)
The hair of his body stood on end, and he was nearly choked, because of crying so much. He would cry and say: “Alas, what will happen to me on the day when even the Heavens will split? Woe to me!” Nabi ﷺ told him: “Your crying has made even the Malaa’ikah weep.” Once an Ansaari Sahaabi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ sat and wept after Tahajjud, saying: “I cry to Allah Ta’ala for protection from the fire of Jahannam.” Nabi ﷺ told him: “You have made the Malaa’ikah weep today.” Hadhrat Abdullah bin Rawahah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was once weeping. His wife also began to weep on seeing him crying. He asked her: “Why are you weeping?” She replied: “Whatever makes you weep makes me weep too.” He said: “The idea that I have to cross the bridge of Siraat across Jahannam makes me weep. I don’t know whether I shall be able to cross over or fall into Jahannam.” Zurarah bin Aufa ضِماللّهُ عَنه was leading the Salaah in a Masjid when he read the Aayat:
Translation: “When the trumpet is blown, surely that day will be a day of difficulty!” (Surah Muddatthir Aayah 8-9)
He fell down and passed away. Thereafter, people carried his body to his house. Khulaid was reading his Salaah. During his Qiraat, he reached the Aayat:
Translation: “Every person will taste of death” (Surah Aale I’mraan - Aayah 185)
He began to repeat it again and again. He heard a voice from a corner of the room saying: “How often are you going to repeat this Aayat? Your recitation has already caused the death of four Jinns.” It is said about another Shaikh that (while reading the Qur-aan) when he reached the Aayat:
Translation: “Then they will be returned to Allah, their true Master, Lo! Judgement is (exclusively) His?” (Surah An’aam - Aayah 62)
He gave out a cry, shivered and breathed his last. There are many stories of this type. Fudhail رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , a famous Shaikh, says: “The fear of Allah Ta’ala leads to everything that is good.” Shibli رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , another Shaikh of high position, says: “Whenever I have felt Allah’s fear in me, I have found a fresh door of knowledge and wisdom opened for me.” In a Hadith, it is said: “Allah Ta’ala says; ‘I do not give two fears to my slave. If he does not fear me in this world, I shall give him fear in the next, and if he fears me in this world I shall save him from all fears in the Hereafter.’” Nabi ﷺ said: “All things fear a person who fears Allah Ta’ala, while everything is a source of fear to him who fears somebody besides Allah Ta’ala.” Yahya bin Ma'az رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says: “If a man fears Jahannam as much as he is afraid of poverty then he may enter into Jannah.” Abu Sulaymaan Daaraani رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says: “There is nothing but destruction for a heart that is empty of the fear of Allah Ta’ala.” Nabi ﷺ says: “The face that gets wet with the smallest drop of tear because of the fear of Allah Ta’ala is safe from entering into the fire of Jahannam.” He also said: “When a Muslim shivers with the fear of Allah Ta’ala, his sins fall away from him like leaves falling off a tree.”
Nabi ﷺ has said: “A person weeping with the fear of Allah Ta’ala cannot go to Jahannam until milk goes back into the udders, (which is impossible).” Hadhrat Uqbah bin Aamir رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ once asked Nabi ﷺ ,“What is the way for salvation (i.e. being saved from the fire of Jahannam)?”He replied: “Guard your tongue, stay indoors and cry over your sins.” Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا once asked Nabi ﷺ : “Is there anybody from your followers who will go to Jannah without reckoning?” “Yes,” replied Nabi ﷺ , “The person who often cries over his sins.” There is another Hadith, in which my dear Master, Hadhrat Muhammad ﷺ has said: “No drop is more dear to Allah Ta’ala than two drops; a drop of tear shed in the fear of Allah Ta’ala, and a drop of blood shed in the path of Allah Ta’ala.” It is said in a Hadith that seven people would be under the shade of the Arsh on the day of Qiyaamah. One of them would be the person who remembered Allah Ta’ala when he was all alone, and tears flowed from his eyes with the fear of Allah Ta’ala and in repentance for his sins. Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “One who can weep should do so, and one who cannot should make the face of a weeping person.” It is said that when Muhammad bin Munkadir رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ wept, he wiped his tears over his face and beard saying: “I have heard that the fire of Jahannam does not touch the place touched by these tears.” Saabit Bunaani رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ was suffering from a disease of the eyes. His doctor said told him: “Your eyes would be all right, if you do not weep in future.” He replied: “What is the good of an eye if it cannot shed tears.” Yazid bin Maisarah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says: “There can be seven reasons for weeping viz., extreme joy, madness, extreme pain, horror, pretending, being drunk and the fear of Allah Ta’ala. A single tear shed in the fear of Allah Ta’ala (is enough to put out oceans of fire (of Jahannam).” Hadhrat Ka’ab Ahbaar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “By Him who holds my life in His (hands), I love to weep for the fear of Allah Ta’ala, with tears flowing down my cheeks, rather than spending a mountain of gold in charity.”
There are many other sayings of the Auliyaa and other pious people which prove that weeping, because of the fear of Allah Ta’ala and also over one's sins, is very effective and beneficial in attaining piety. However, we should not lose hope in Allah Ta’ala. His Mercy is unlimited. Hadhrat ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “If it were to be announced on the Day of Qiyaamah that all shall go to Jahannam except one person, my belief in the Mercy of Allah Ta’ala would make me hope that I may be that chosen one. Again, if it were to be announced on that day that all shall go to Jannah except one person, then my sins would make me fear that I may be that one.” It is, therefore, necessary that we should have both fear and hope together in our hearts, especially when the time of death is close, we should have more hope than fear. Nabi ﷺ says: “None of you should die, except with a strong hope in the Mercy of Allah Ta’ala.” When Imaam Ahmad bin Hambal رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ was about to pass away, he sent for his son and asked him to read to him the Ahaadith that shows hope in Allah Ta’ala and His Mercy.