The Deeds that Flow Away

By Muhammad Aslam al Hindi

 

O you who believe! Do not render in vain your Sadaqah (charity) by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men, and he does not believe in Allah, nor in the Last Day. His likeness is the likeness of a smooth rock on which is a soil; on it falls heavy rain which leaves it bare. They are not able to do anything with what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.

(Soorah Baqarah: 264)

In this ayah, Allah sub'han wa t'ala is indicating us the reason why a person does not attain steadfastness in any deed. Deeds are of two types:-

1. Those done as Islamic deeds so that one may receive on the day of Qiyamah.

2. Those done to gain worldly affairs.

Further the Islamic deeds are of three types in their nature:-

1. Verbal

2. Physical

3. Intellectual      ...as have been discussed in the ayah mentioned.

Reminding the generosity done to anybody is the fault in the deed in verbally.

Physically harming a person to whom Sadaqah has been given is a phycisal fault in it.

Showing off the Sadqah given in order to be called generous is an intellectual fault in the deed.

So what is the result of any of these faults in the deed?

The fate which this deed will meet has been examplified in the ayah.

Here is a smooth rock (smooth means it will entrap nothing on its surface). Some soil has surfaced over it. Some seeds are now sown on this soil with no legitimate ground. Of course some plants will grow up making the farmer feel happy over his crop. But then rain comes in order to make the plants yield crop. But alas! the rain water resulted in the soil erosion taking away the plants with it. As we know, the stone is smooth, it will not help the soil to remain firm on it. So what was sown has been wasted.

Similarly, when one intends to do anything religious with a fault in the deed in verbal, physical or intellectual sense, he starts it with a slippy base. Soon he gets much worldly benefits due to his deeds which let him feel happy and assume that he is acceptable in Allah's eye. But when the day of Qiyamah (judgement) will come in order to reward the fruit, all such deeds will be found washed from the Deedbook. not even a trace of them will be left. So among all the Islamic deeds, only those that are done solely to please Allah are fruitful. This is the explanation of the ayah for Islamic deeds. Next is the explanation for worldly deeds which is pretty interesting.

Again if any worldly deed is done to gain any benefit other than just for pleasing Allah, it will not continue long rather will be washed away. There are examples everywhere. We choose this design and colour for the dress this time. But after just wearing a few times, we get bored of the design as well as colour and next time, we search for new colour and new design. But if we wear Sunnah dress of white colour, min fazlillahi, we will never get bored of it. Each time we look sparkling prince! Wearing it not for one year or two years but for fifty years and never getting bored. Suprising!

Another example:- We have been praying for Allah for 50 years, 5 times daily and would have prayed 1 lac times but never getting bored. See those who pray for show off. They soon leave their prayer. See those who eat 3/4 times daily which is a necessity. But they can't continue with the same dish even the third time! Getting bored!

I am not saying that we should not eat, drink or dress. In the worldly deeds, there is no sin if our intention is not to please Allah. But it is always beneficial to have an intention of pleasing Allah even in every worldly deed and hence gaining truckloads of reward from Allah. Even if you are putting a morsel in your wife's mouth, intend to please her so that she practices Allah more and finally intend to please Allah. What cost will occur to you? Zero!

And whats the reward? Countless!

Seriously notice the boldened words! Only in case of worldly deeds. But in case of Islamic deeds, if you failed to intend to please Allah and intermingled some other intentions (like getting famous as a pious man), you will gain nothing. Neither here nor there.

Conclusion: Any Amal (deed) whether Islamic or worldly, if done for any other intention other than pleasing Allah, will not continue long. If an Islamic Amal is done for any intention other than pleasing Allah, there will be no benefit of this deed in Akhirah (herafter).