Glad Tidings at the Beginning of the Pursuit of Knowledge, But Must Be Extremely Cautious of Self-Deception

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

When you embark on the path in pursuit of knowledge- seeking (sound) understanding and acting upon it, this indeed is one of the signs that Allah wishes good for you. Therefore, receive glad tidings, have good thoughts about Allah and be sincere to Allah, The Blessed and Most High, in your statements, deeds and knowledge. Neither be deceived – we seek Allah’s Refuge from self-deception – nor feel safe from Allah’s plan.

فَلَا يَأۡمَنُ مَڪۡرَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلۡقَوۡمُ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرُونَ

None feels secure from the Plan of Allah except the people who are the losers. [Al-A’raf. 99]

A believer always fears that his situation will change. It has been reported from Aa’isha and Anas, may Allaah pleased with them, that the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, often (supplicated):

يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِى عَلَى دِينِكَ

O turner of the hearts (Allah)! Keep my heart firm upon your religion”.

I [i.e. Aa’isha or Anas] asked: “O Allah’s Messenger! We believe in you and what has been revealed to you, so do you fear for us?” He said, “Yes, indeed the hearts are between two fingers among the fingers of Allaah and He turns them how He pleases”.

By Allah! This is (true) understanding – that a person does not feel safe about himself, for indeed Satan flows through the human being like blood. (a) Therefore, a person should guard his heart, intellect and deeds ardently more than the (manner in which) he guards his wealth and honour. Whoever is given authority to look after his own affairs, it is obligated on him to guard his heart before everything else.

رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ

Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You. Truly, You are the Bestower. [Aal Imraan’ Aayah 8] [An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Talib Al-Ilm’ pages 75-76. slightly paraphrased ]

The Shaikh, may Allah have mercy upon him, also said:

I warn my brothers against the Fitan and that they turn to Allah to keep them steadfast upon the religion. They should supplicate a lot:

رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ

Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You. Truly, You are the Bestower]. [Aal Imraan 8]

They should make this tremendous supplication often and the supplication which Allah’s Messenger used to make often. Anas said that Allaah’s Messenger used to say a lot, “O Turner of the hearts, keep my heart firm upon your religion”. So the companions said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Do you fear for us?” He said, “Yes, indeed the hearts are between two fingers from the fingers of Allah, and He turns them however He wills”.

Therefore, the believer does not feel secure from Allaah’s plan.

فَلَا يَأۡمَنُ مَڪۡرَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَّا ٱلۡقَوۡمُ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرُونَ

None feels secure from the Plan of Allah except the people who are the losers]. [Al-A’raf 99]

The believer always fears Allah – fears that Allah may not accept his deeds and he is not deceived by hope [i.e. hoping while not striving sincerely]. The spending carried out in the path of Allah and the strenuous effort made through acts of obedience to Allah is nothing in the eyes of the truthful believer, for they are not equal to the smallest blessing amongst the (uncountable) blessings of Allah. Allah’s Messenger said, “Glorified be You (O Allaah) and free are You from all imperfections! I cannot fully praise you, for you are as you have praised yourself”. [Sahih Muslim 486]

This was Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, the one whose past and future sins were forgiven, but he feared Allah the most. He said: “I swear by Allah that I am the most fearful of Allaah and the most conscious of Him than you”. He used to stand for so long that his feet became swollen. Aiashah said, “O Allah’s Messenger! Why are you doing this when Allaah has forgiven your past and future sins?” He said, “Should I not be a thankful slave?” [An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Talib Al-Ilm. Pages 204-205. Slightly paraphrased]

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a: Al-Bukhaari 2039