Question: How do we steer the course between hope and fear? Answer: The best fear that a person can experience is to fear the consequences of ones deeds for the Hereafter. This is the fear that softens the heart, channels the spirit, and helps a person govern his impulses. Umar b. al-Khattab (RA) whose piety and faith we all attest to - feared falling into hypocrisy. This is why he went to Hudhayfah (RA), the person to whom the Prophet (sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam) disclosed the identity of Madinahs hypocrites, and asked him if he were one of them.
Hudhayfah said to Umar: "No, you are not one of them. And I will never again attest to anyonestatus." Scholars have said that after consideringUmars feelings, none of us should feel secure that we are free from hypocrisy. Who else can possibly feel more secure than the Companion who held the title al-Faruq - the one who can judge between right and wrong? This fear is certainly something good. However, it should not get to the point that it overwhelms us.
It should not make us crumble in despair. Despair is a very bad feeling. It makes us abandon our good deeds. When we succumb to despair - when we lose hope we simply give up trying. When we give up trying, this is when we fall to perdition. This is why- it is so important for us to navigate a course between hope and fear. Allaahs Mercy Is Certain Whenever we feel fear overwhelming our religious sensibilities, we need to cultivate the certitude in our hearts that Allaah, our Lord, is Most Merciful.
His Mercy encompasses everything. His Mercy is always closer than His wrath. He forgives our sins, no matter how numerous those sins may be. All we have to do is turn to Him in sincere repentance. If we feel that our feelings of hope are getting the better of our good judgment and making us feel complacent, then we need to cultivate our fear. When we start feeling that our deeds are so very good, we should remind ourselves that Allaah may not accept our deeds from us. We should remind ourselves that He could call us to account when we are being heedless and that He is indeed severe in punishment. If we get smug and start feeling as if we are doing Allaah a favour by our good deeds, this is a great way for us to have those deeds thrown back at us.
We should remind ourselves about those desert dwellers who embraced Islam during the Prophets time and acted as if they had done Allaah and His religion a great favor. Allaah revealed the following verse of the Quraan about them: "They impress on you (O Muhammad) as a favour that they have embraced Islam. Say, Count not your Islam as a favour upon me: Nay, Allaah has conferred a favour upon you that He has guided you to the faith, if you be true and sincere." (Q49[al-Hujuraat]: 17) Remember Allaah Often We can make our navigation of this course between hope and fear much easier by remembering Allaah often, and by being constant in supplication, charity and voluntary worship. We are strengthened by this and by carrying out all of our religious obligations properly. We should remember to seek refuge with Allaah from ever falling into polytheism knowingly - and ask Him to forgive us for what we might fall into unawares.
We should never confuse our fear of Allaah with misgivings. We should not pay misgivings any mind, for they are but the whisperings of Shaytan. Shaytan tries his luck with us. He suggests some misgivings to our heart, then waits to see how we respond. If we take the bait, he tries to get us preoccupied with doubts, until we get to a point where we are drowning in a sea of uncertainty. Allaah says: "And if a whisper from the devil reaches you (O Muhammad), then seek refuge with Allah, for He is the Hearer, the Knower." (Q41 [Fussilat]:36)
The Companions complained to the Prophet (sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam) about this problem. One of them would inform the Prophet (sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam) that such a bad thought came to his mind that he would rather fall from the sky or be blown off a precipice then ever think such a thought. The Prophet (sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam) just said to him: "That is real faith." (Muslim) When we understand this, we will never let misgivings trouble us. We will simply seek refuge with Allaah from Shaytan and go about our business, ignoring whatever those misgivings would have us do.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited