{"id":20535,"date":"2024-02-25T14:47:35","date_gmt":"2024-02-25T18:47:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/alrashedoon.com\/?p=20535"},"modified":"2024-02-25T14:48:52","modified_gmt":"2024-02-25T18:48:52","slug":"17-methods-of-reforming-oneself-watching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alrashedoon.com\/?p=20535","title":{"rendered":"\u00a0(17) Methods of reforming oneself (Watching)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0(17) Methods of reforming oneself (Watching)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

One of the effective ways to reform oneself is to have consciousness of Allah (SWT). \u00a0This means that the Muslim should be alert and fully aware that Allah (SWT) is watching us all the time.\u00a0 And to know that he (SWT) is all-Knowing of all things whether it is in secret of public, day or night.\u00a0 Allah (SWT) says:<\/strong> \u201cfor Allah ever watches over you.\u201d (An Nisa, 1).<\/span><\/p>\n

In the famous Hadith the Prophet (PBUH) said:<\/strong> \u201cIhsan is to worship Allah (SWT) as if you see him, and to know that even though you don\u2019t see him He sees you.\u201d (Al Bukhari, 4777).<\/span><\/p>\n

A poet once said:<\/strong>\u00a0 If you are ever by yourself do not say \u2018I am alone\u2019 but say \u2018Allah is a watching me\u2019.\u00a0 Never think that Allah is unaware of what you do or that you can hide something from Him.<\/span><\/p>\n

The benefits of being conscious of Allah\u2019s watchfulness: <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1-It makes the Muslim feel modesty in his heart, which will prevent him from committing sins.<\/span><\/p>\n

2- It makes the Iman of the Muslim stronger, and as a result his heart will be purified from hypocrisy.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3- The fruit of this consciousness is that the Muslim feels peace and tranquility in his heart and therefore he will experience no contradictions between his actions and intention.<\/span><\/p>\n

The different aspects of the consciousness of Allah (SWT) <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

1- Consciousness of Allah (SWT). The Quran and the Sunnah teaches the Muslim to always be conscious of the watchfulness of Allah (SWT) in everything that he does, whether it is related to worldly matters or religious matters. \u00a0Allah (SWT) says<\/strong>: \u201cSeest thou not that Allah doth know (all) that is in the heavens and on earth? There is not a secret consultation between three, but He makes the fourth among them, – Nor between five but He makes the sixth,- nor between fewer nor more, but He is in their midst, wheresoever they be: In the end will He tell them the truth of their conduct, on the Day of Judgment. For Allah has full knowledge of all things.\u201d (Al Mujadalah, 7). Allah (SWT) also says:<\/strong> \u201c(Allah) knows of (the tricks) that deceive with the eyes, and all that the hearts (of men) conceal.\u201d (Ghafir, 19).<\/span><\/p>\n

It is very important for the Muslim to understand that Allah (SWT) knows the internal secrets as well as the internal and external state of being.\u00a0 Moreover, Allah (SWT) knows the hidden intentions and thoughts which have not come into existence yet.<\/span><\/p>\n

2- Being conscious of the watchful eyes of the angels. The Muslim should understand that the angels have been appointed by Allah (SWT) to be witnesses on people.\u00a0 They have the duty of registering everything said or done by the person.<\/span><\/p>\n

Allah (SWT) says<\/strong> about the angels in the Quran: \u201cBehold, two (guardian angels) appointed to learn (his doings) learn (and noted them), one sitting on the right and one on the left. Not a word does he utter but there is a sentinel by him, ready (to note it).\u201d\u00a0 (Qaf 17-18).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Allah (SWT) also says:<\/strong> \u201cBut verily over you (are appointed angels) to protect you,- Kind and honourable,- Writing down (your deeds): They know (and understand) all that ye do.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 (Al Infitar, 10-12).<\/span><\/p>\n

3-\u00a0Being watchful of the physical parts. The physical parts of the person will be witnesses on him on the Day of Judgment.\u00a0 The ears, eyes, tongue, hands and legs will have the ability to speak on the day of judgment and they will say everything that they were involved in doing throughout this life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 Allah (SWT) says:<\/strong> \u201cAt length, when they reach the (Fire), their hearing, their sight, and their skins will bear witness against them, as to (all) their deeds.\u201d (Fasselt, 20).Allah (SWT) also says: <\/strong>\u201cThat Day shall We set a seal on their mouths. But their hands will speak to us, and their feet bear witness, to all that they did.\u201d (Ya seen, 65).<\/span><\/p>\n

4- Being aware of the watchfulness of the earth itself. The part of earth on which you were standing when you committed sins or did good deeds will also be a witness on you.\u00a0 Allah (SWT) says<\/strong>: \u201cOn that Day will she declare her tidings: For that thy Lord will have given her inspiration On that Day will men proceed in companies sorted out, to be shown the deeds that they (had done).\u201d (Al Zalzalah, 4- 6).<\/span><\/p>\n

Examples from the companions and the righteous people: <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Ibn Omar was walking once then he met with a shepherd who was herding his sheep.\u00a0 He wanted to test him so said to him, \u201csell me one of your sheep.\u201d And the shepherd told him, \u201cI am a slave (meaning that he does not own those sheep)\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Ibn Omar said,<\/strong> \u201ctell your master that the wolf ate it.\u201d And the shepherds answer was, \u201cwhat about Allah (SWT)\u201d.\u00a0 Ibn Omar was impressed by the watchfulness of this man and his righteousness so he freed him from slavery and said to him, \u201cthese words have freed you from slavery in this life, and I wish that Allah (SWT) will save you in the hereafter because of them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Another good example is that of Omar Ibn Al-khatab during his rule of the Muslim Ummah.\u00a0 He heard a woman telling her daughter to mix milk and water.\u00a0 And the daughter said:<\/strong> \u201cAmir Almu\u2019mineen has prohibited us from doing this.\u201d The mother then said, \u201cAmir Almu\u2019mineen does not see us.\u201d\u00a0 And the daughters answer was, \u201cAllah (SWT) sees us.\u201d\u00a0 Omar Ibn Al-Khatab when he heard this he was impressed and he married her to one of his sons.\u00a0 This woman was the mother of the righteous Khalifa Omar Ibn Abdel-Aziz.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally,<\/strong> Abu-Hurairah (May Allah be Pleased with him) went to the market once and he found a man who was mixing water and milk, so he said to him: \u201cwhat will you tell Allah (SWT) on the Day of Judgment when he tells you to separate the water from the milk?\u201d The man started crying and he promised to never do it again.<\/span><\/p>\n

Abu-Huraira used a very effective approach in the case of this man.\u00a0 He did not beat him, fine him or jail him, rather, he chose to awaken the watchfulness in his heart.\u00a0 This approach is the most proper way to deal with problems of the individuals as well as the problems of the society.<\/span><\/p>\n

We invoke Allah (SWT) to lighten our punishment on the Day of Judgment.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Written by: Dr. Ahmed Shaheen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Professor in Al-Azhar University<\/strong><\/p>\n

And Islamic American University<\/strong><\/p>\n

Translated by: Abdullah Zettili<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0(17) Methods of reforming oneself (Watching) One of the effective ways to reform oneself is to have consciousness of Allah (SWT). \u00a0This means that the Muslim should be alert and fully aware that Allah (SWT) is watching us all the time.\u00a0 And to know that he (SWT) is all-Knowing of all things whether it is<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":20461,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2683],"tags":[2706],"class_list":["post-20535","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-friday-sermons","tag-17-methods-of-reforming-oneself-watching"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alrashedoon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20535","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alrashedoon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alrashedoon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alrashedoon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alrashedoon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20535"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/alrashedoon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20535\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20538,"href":"https:\/\/alrashedoon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20535\/revisions\/20538"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alrashedoon.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20461"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alrashedoon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20535"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alrashedoon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20535"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alrashedoon.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20535"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}