Immune from Ghaflah (heedlessness)
The above focus on the hereafter and wise priority-setting is the fruit of immunity from ghaflah or heedlessness.
In many verses, the Qur’an warns against this disastrous malady as one of the reasons of human’s loss (Al-A`raf 7:179, An-Nahl 16: 108, Al-Mu’minun 23:54-56)
Being safe from heedlessness and staying focused on and alert to what brings you closer to Allah is not an easy task, albeit not impossible too.
To appreciate this quality, let’s refer to the example mentioned at the beginning of this article: many of us know that reading Surat Al-Ikhlas gains its reader a reward equal to reciting one third of the Qur’an. But how many of us show enough interest in getting this high reward?
It is Ghaflah that hold us back from appreciating and gaining this special offer.
In conclusion, it is important to review our attitude towards these generous offers and take them seriously. Life is so short and none of us is guaranteed to end up in Jannah.
One point to mention here: The above reflections are just an attempt to understand the secret behind the promised great rewards. However, it is better to busy oneself with seizing these generous offers and accumulating as many of hasanat as possible rather than spending much time thinking why such huge hasant are assigned to theses deeds.
That does not mean reflecting on this question is blameworthy. The point is that it should not distract us from benefiting from the blessings that Allah granted us in the form of highly rewarding small acts.
On the Day of Judgment, one hasanah makes a difference. Ultimate success or loss may depend on one of these small acts.
[1] `Uthman ibn `Affan reported that the Prophet said: “He who observed the `Ishaa’ prayer in congregation, it was as if he prayed up to the midnight, and he who prayed the morning prayer in congregation, it was as if he prayed the whole night.” (Muslim)
[2] Anas ibn Malik narrated that the Prophet said: “Whoever prays Fajr Prayer in congregation, and then sits and remembers Allah until the sun rises, then (after a while) prays tworak`has, he will gain a reward equal to that of making perfect Hajj and `Umrah. [The Prophet repeated the word “perfect” thrice.] (At-Tirmidhi)
[3] Abu Dharr reported that the Prophet said: “In the morning, charity is due from every bone in the body of every one of you. Every utterance of Allah’s glorification (tasbeeh) is an act of charity. Every utterance of praise of Him (tahmeed) is an act of charity, every utterance of profession of His Oneness (tahleel) is an act of charity, every utterance of profession of His Greatness (takbeer) is an act of charity, enjoining good is an act of charity, forbidding what is disreputable is an act of charity, and two rak`ahs which one prays in the forenoon will suffice.”
[4] Abu Dharr also reported that the Prophet said: “Smiling in the face of your brother is counted for you as a charity” (at-Tirmidhi and authenticated by Al-Albani)
[5] Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said: “A man never did a good deed but removed a thorny branch from the road; it was either in a tree and he cut and threw it away, or it was lying in it and he removed it. Allah appreciated this deed of his and, therefore, brought him into Paradise.” (Abu Dawud and authenticated by Al-Albani)
[6] Abu Huraira reported that Allah’s Messenger said: “While a dog was moving around a well and was about to die of thirst, a prostitute from the children of Israel happened to see it, so, she removed her shoe, drew water in it and made the dog drink. She was forgiven (by Allah) because of this.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
[7] Umm Habiba, the wife of the Messenger of Allah reported that he said: “If any Muslim servant (of Allah) prays for the sake of Allah twelve supererogatory rak`ahs, apart from the obligatory ones, every day, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.” or “a house will be built for him in Paradise” (Muslim)