5.5. HAVING CONCERN FOR SIN ERASING DEEDS
You should know that focusing on this is one of the greatest needs of man because the moment a man reaches maturity and especially in these times and other similar periods that bear some resemblance to the pre-Islamic days, he is subject to be stained by a number of things from the days of ignorance. This is the case of a man who grows up in an environment of knowledge and religion, so what about one who does not?
The Two Sahlhs relate the following hadith from Abu Sahd {radijAllahu ‘anhu) “You will surely follow closely the ways of those before you to the extent that should they enter a lizard’s hole, you would enter it too.” They asked: “O Messenger of Allah, (are they) the Jews and the Christians?” so he said: “Who else?” The words of Allah, Most High, affirm this:
“And you have enjoyed your portion as those before you enjoyed their portion, and you have engaged (in vanities) like that in which they engaged.” (al-Tawbah (9): 69)
This message is further affirmed by the narrations found in the Sahlh and acceptable hadith collections.
This is prone to pervade the elite of the religious as stated by a number of the Salaf, among them Ibn ‘Uyaynah. Men known for their knowledge have been afflicted by many problems of the Jews and others known for their religious devotion have been afflicted by many problems of the Christians. This is clear to those who understand the religion of Islam with which Allah sent Muhammad and then view the various states of the people in the light of this understanding.
Having said this, if Allah expands one’s heart to embrace Islam and makes him follow a light from his Lord by resurrecting him from the dead and giving him radiance with which he walks among the people, it is inevitable that such a person becomes aware of the problems of the pre-Islamic era and the path of the two nations; the one under His anger and the one that wanders astray. Once he knows this, he will notice that he himself has some of these problematic traits as well.
The most beneficial thing that both the elite and the general public can do is to learn how to save themselves from these predicaments by following bad deeds with good ones. Good deeds are the actions (a mat), manners (akhlaq), and characteristics (sifat) that Allah has encouraged through the tongue of the Seal of the Prophets (katim al-nabiyini).
By Shaykhu’l-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah
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