HAVE GREATER SHAME FOR ALLAH

HAVE GREATER SHAME FOR ALLAH

Hadhrat Ubaid Bin Umair (rahmatullah alayh) said: “Give preference to shame for Allah over shame for people.”

The sign of extreme deficiency of Imaan is that Insaan exhibits greater shame for people than for Allah Ta’ala. While a man will not commit a sin in public or in the presence of others for fear of humiliation, he commits the sin in seclusion without compunction. Now the question which arises is: Why does a Mu’min who believes in the omnipresence of Allah Ta’ala – who believes that Allah Ta’ala is ever present, knows and sees what he is doing – who believes that the Recording Angels are 24 hours together with him recording every word and deed – commit the sin when he is not in the company of other human beings? But when even a single person or even a child views him, shame prevents him from indulging in the AWAKE: RAMADHAAN / SEPTEMBER 1429 / 2008 88 contemplated sin. However, when man believes himself to be alone, he indulges in the sin despite his belief in the Presence of Allah Ta’ala and the Recording Malaaikah.

Every Muslim undoubtedly believes in the truth of Allah’s attributes. He believes that Allah Ta’ala sees and is aware of his innermost thoughts. He believes that in his moments of seclusion when he commits his misdeeds, he is not alone, and that Allah Ta’ala watches him, and the Malaaikah are recording his evil deeds. But this belief lacks the power of deterring him from indulging in the sin whereas the presence of a child is sufficient restraint to deter him from committing the misdeed. Thus, man has greater shame and more concern for a child than for Allah Azza Wa Jal.

This attitude is clear evidence for the deficiency of Imaan and for spiritual blindness. With the physical eyes, we are able to see others. However, due to the blindness of the spiritual eyes we are unable to perceive the Presence of Allah Ta’ala and the Malaaikah, hence sins are committed without compunction when man thinks that he is alone despite his belief to the contrary. Insaan has more shame for human beings than for Allah Azza Wa Jal.

It is imperative that the Mu’min cultivates true shame for Allah Ta’ala. This is possible only if Imaan is developed to its minimum stage of perfection. There are two stages of Imaani perfection which is termed Ihsaan. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) explained that there are two stages of Ihsaan. The highest stage is to worship Allah Ta’ala as if you are seeing Him. In other words, the belief in the constant and perpetual Divine Presence should be so vivid that its reality transcends our conviction of the physical objects which we see with our corporeal eyes. This stage of Imaani perfection is exclusive with the Auliya-e-Kaamileen and Aarifeen.

Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahmatullah alayh) was never seen with a bare head. He always had his topi on even when he was alone in his room. Once when a close associate queried the rigidity of this observance, Imaam Abu Hanifah said: “Should I not have shame for the Malaaikah who are with me?” The perception of the presence of the Malaaikah was vivid and real. The great Imaam’s Imaan had reached the highest stage of Ihsaan in which the perception of the Divine Presence had greater reality than the perception which all people have of physical objects.

The lesser stage of Ihsaan as explained by Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) is: “If you are unable to worship Him as if you are seeing Him, then worship Him with the knowledge that He is seeing you.” There is no lower stage of perfection than this degree of perception. There is no third grade. In the absence of these two states of Ihsaan, man is bereft of all Ihsaan notwithstanding the validity of his Imaan quantitatively speaking. But as far as quality is concerned, there is no degree below the two states of Ihsaan.

The stages of Ihsaan are cultivated by Taqwa, permanent and constant Thikr, and Muraaqabah (contemplation/meditation). Without Muraaqabah, acts of worship and piety in general are inadequate for producing the states of Ihsaan. Without Ihsaan our Aqaaid (Beliefs) remain dormant, remote and lifeless. With the attainment of Ihsaan, the Aqaaid will no longer be dead, lifeless spiritual organs. With Ihsaan perception of the transcendental truths and realities becomes vivid. The vision of the spiritual eyes (the Baatin) becomes stronger than the vision of the physical eyes. Only then will man have greater shame and fear for Allah Ta’ala than for creation.

AWAKE: RAMADHAAN / SEPTEMBER 1429