Hadith Gateway
That which is most precious
Mawlana Muhammad Nasir Jamal Attari Madani
The final Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said:
اِنَّمَا الْاَعْمَالُ بِالْخَوَاتِیْم
“Actions are based upon endings (khawātīm).”[1]
Summarised commentary of Hadith
“Endings” refers to the actions of the person in the final stages of life, just before death.[2] This hadith encourages us to always perform good deeds and to save ourselves from committing sins, lest this evil or sin become our final action. We have also been warned against self-conceit, as a person does not know whether they will receive a good outcome for their actions. This hadith also teaches us that we cannot know whether another person will definitely go to Paradise or Hell, unless confirmed by the Quran or hadith.
Additionally, we come to know that Allah is not in need of anything, and the entire universe is under His ownership. He can make changes within it as He sees fit; this is justice and this is correct. We do not object to Him in any manner. In fact, salvation lies in accepting the will and decree of Allah.[3]
Fear of a valuable thing being stolen
Humans constantly fear losing what they value, and we take steps to protect everything that we hold dear. Whether an expensive belonging or a dear person, the more valuable something is, we take greater steps to ensure its security.
People protect their wealth, but there is one key asset that we often neglect—faith. This should be the most precious wealth of a person because the one who does not fear the loss of his faith, there is a chance that this wealth will be seized from him at the time of death.
Some actions that protect faith
Undeniably, the protection of a person’s faith is ultimately within the control of Allah. Nevertheless, we have the responsibility to do what we can to save our faith. Along with praying to Allah for the preservation of our faith, we should engage in activities and deeds which will prevent it from deteriorating.
1. Live in piety
Foolish folks do not learn from their mistakes. The wise person, however, will err, learn from his error, and plan to avoid repeating the mistake. This includes those “mistakes” which are sins in the sight of Allah Almighty. Persisting in sins may lead to the destruction of one’s faith. Just as Shaykh Ismāʿīl Ḥaqqī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه states, “Persisting in sins is an action that can lead to a Muslim dying in disbelief.”[4]
In order to be successful in protecting our faith, it is necessary for us to carry out every action whilst avoiding sins. Keep an eye on your daily routine, so no sinful activity creeps into it.
2. Seek necessary Islamic guidance regarding your matters
The standard for determining whether an action is right or wrong is neither our experiences nor people's approval. It is against the spirit of Islam to measure our works and judge them as right or wrong against standards set by humans instead of Allah's laws. Those who do not measure their actions against the criteria of Islam or do not consult the ulema sometimes do things that are detrimental to their faith. To protect your faith, it is necessary to continue seeking Islamic guidance from the scholars and muftis of the Ahl al-Sunnah.
3. Watch your words
Speech and conversation are conveyors of a person’s thoughts and views. If one loses control of their tongue, it causes completed works to become undone, sometimes reaching the point of a person’s faith hanging in the balance. To become dominant over us, Satan continues to make efforts to make us speak unnecessarily, and the way we can overpower him is to remain silent.
A large proportion of people, in their naivety, spout whatever comes to their minds, even if it opposes Islamic values. For example, they listen to songs with blasphemous couplets and then repeat them without any thought. They make disrespectful jokes about Paradise, Hell, angels, and even Allah. When complaining of their financial struggles or some other difficulty, they blaspheme in the process.
We can understand the significance of a single word uttered by the tongue from these two hadith of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم:
1. A person uses a word within his speech that causes his companions to laugh, but this speech causes him to fall beyond the Thurayyā (in Hellfire).[5]
2. A person utters a word that displeases Allah, yet he does not even think this would have done so. Due to it, Allah writes He is displeased with such a person until the Day of Judgement.[6]
4. Flee from bad company
The company of evil people only results in loss, for bad company sometimes destroys a person’s faith. People fear poisonous animals, insects and wild creatures because they could harm their lives, but they do not avoid company that could harm their faith.
Mufti Aḥmad Yār Khān Naʿīmi رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه mentions:
Avoid bad company as much as possible, as it brings destruction to your religious and worldly matters. Stay in good company, as this is beneficial for you. The company of a snake threatens your life, but the company of a bad friend threatens your faith.[7]
May Allah grant us steadfastness upon faith, and allow us to die in Madinah al-Munawwarah with faith and well-being.
اٰمِیْن بِجَاہِ خاتَمِ النَّبِیّیْن صلَّی اللہ علیہ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم
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