08-20-2003, 08:21 PM
6. “A man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity...”
This describes the type of person who goes to great lengths to protect himself from ar-Riyaa. Ar-Riyaa means to do deeds in order to earn the praise and recognition of people. This sin destroys all the benefits that lie in righteous deeds and brings on a serious punishment for the one who commits it. It is particularly dangerous because it is in man’s nature to desire and enjoy the praise of others. Thus, great care has to be token to ensure that one’s intentions begin and remain pure whenever good actions (such as charity) are being done. Not like what we see today where we have mosque notice boards announcing who gave what to whom, why and when! Allaah warns: “O you who believe! Do not render vain your 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 Allaah nor in the Last Day.”
[al-Baqarah (2):264].
May Allaah preserve us from this.
7. “...A man who remembered Allaah in private and so his eyes shed tears.”
Our noble Prophet informed us: “If you knew what l knew, you would laugh little and weep much.”
Narrated by Aboo Hurairah and Anas & collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (eng. trans.) vol.8, p.326-327, nos.492 and 493
Crying is not a ‘sissy’ thing to do. The Prophet, who was the best of all creation, would weep as would all of his Companions. Tears are a genuine expression of fear of Allaah’s Punishment and of our sincere love and awe of Him. But how often do we remember Allaah in seclusion and are then moved to tears? How much do we laugh and how little do we weep? The Prophet said, “There is nothing more beloved to Allaah than two drops and two marks: A tear shed due to fear of Allaah, and a drop of blood spilled in the path of Allaah. And as for the two marks, then a mark caused in the path of Allaah, and a mark caused by fulfilling one of the duties made obligatory by Allaah..”
Hasan - collected by at-Tirmidhee and al-Mishkaat (3837)
Alhamdulillaah, through these seven types of people mentioned in the Hadeeth, we have been given clear signposts of the way to attain Allaah’s pleasure and satisfaction. So dear brothers and sisters in Eemaan, devote yourself to being one amongst those seven, for indeed fortunate will be those who are granted Allaah’s Shade on the Day when there will be no shade but His.