[Ayyuha'l Walad Al-Muhib] Allah's Mercy

Assalamualaikum wbt.....

Time for fourth counsel by Imam Ghazali...
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Allah's Mercy

Dear beloved son...

Be not bankrupt of good deed, nor void of [spiritual] status. Know for certain that abstract knowledge alone will neither increase you in power nor strengthen you in situation. Likewise, if a brave warrior in possession of ten Indian swords and other weapons was alone in the wilderness, and a great ferocious lion attacked him, do you think the weapons could defend him if they were not used against the lion? It is well known that weapons cannot defend people unless they are brought into use. By the same principle, if a man read a hundred thousand scientific theories, they would be of no use to him if he did not try and apply them. Similarly, if a man suffering from fever and a kidney disorder, he should be treated with ginger and [other] plants. Without treatment no recovery is achieved.

[A poet once said:]
Though you measure two thousand bottles of wine
Unless you drink, no thrill is thine.

If you studied a hundred years and collected a thousand books, you would not be prepared for the mercy of Allah the Exalted, except by action.
Allah says:
Man Shall have nothing but what he strives for (Quran, 53:39)
Whosoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness (Quran, 18:110)
A recompense for what they used to do (Quran, 9:28)
As for those who believe and do good work, they will have for them the gardens of Paradise as an abode. No change will they desire from them (Quran, 18:107)
Except he who repents, believe and does good work (Quran ,25:70)

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w also said:
"Islam is built on five pillars: testifying that there is no deity but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; establishing the Prayer; paying the Zakat; Fasting in Ramadhan and performing Hajj at the sacred house for those able to do so."

Iman [faith] is confession with the tongue and belief in the heart and performance of the pillars of Islam. There are countless proofs on the necessities of actions, this is despite the fact that the servant shall attain Paradise only by the grace and favour of Allah the Exalted, but such [grace] follows the servant's readiness to obey and worship Him. Verily, the mercy of Allah is very close to the doer of good.

It may be said that the servant may reach the status through faith alone. We say "Yes", but when will he be able to reach it? How many obstacles will he be faced with? The first of these obstacles is the ravine of Iman; and who is secure [enough to guarantee] that he will not lose his Iman? And if a man loses his Iman, he will be bankrupt and dismayed in the Hereafter.

Hassan al-Basri said:
"Allah will say to His servant on the Day of Judgement: 'Allow My servant to enter Paradise by My mercy and divide it amongst them according to their deeds."

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