When The Bandah Deals In Cash Regarding His Acts Of Obedience, Allah Does Not Respond With A Credit Reward

When the bandah (slave) gives vent to exhilaration and feels proud of his acts of worship, thinking that he has rendered these by virtue of his choice and will, then he will be guilty of displaying ingratitude. The happiness of the bandah on account of having practised righteousness should be because he knows that he was able to render the deed by virtue of Allah’s grace, mercy and aid. He thus expresses his shukr (gratitude) to Allah Ta’ala Who had enabled him to execute the deed of virtue. In this regard, Allah Ta’ala commanded:

“O Muhammad! Say, be pleased with only the grace and mercy of Allah. Do not be pleased with something else.”

When the bandah deals in cash regarding his acts of obedience, Allah does not respond with a credit reward, i.e. He does not delay the reward until Qiyaamah.

It is not the attitude of a generous person to extract work and delay payment of the wages. Thus, Kareem-e-Haqeeqi (The One Who is truly generous and munificent) – Jalle Shaanuhu – to a greater degree will not behave un generously. He does not delay compensation for the bandah’s deeds until Qiyaamah. He grants the reward for Taa-at (obedience) here in this world. The reward comprises of the sweetness the heart tastes in Ibaadat and Thikr, and the variety of secrets, mysteries and subtleties which He bestows. In comparison to this reward, the bandah regards the kingdom of the world as dust. This immediate compensation is a very insignificant sample of the reward he will receive in the Aakhirah. The reality of the bestowals of the Aakhirah is beyond description.

As a compensation in this world for acts of obedience, it is sufficient that your Master has become pleased to consider you fit for Taa-at (obedience).

Do not be vain on account of acts of obedience, labouring under the notion that such deeds are the effects of your will power and choice. But, be happy thinking that you have been able to render the good deeds solely on account of  the mercy, grace and ability granted by Allah Ta’ala. In this regard Allah Ta’ala says: “Say: It is by the grace and decree of Allah. Thus be pleased with this.”