CHAPTER 7

RECITATION OF THE HOLY Quran IN A HYPOCRITICAL SPIRIT Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as saying: The first person to be judged on the Day of Resurrection will be a man who died as a martyr. He will be brought forward, and after Allah has reminded him of the favor He showed him and the man acknowledges it, He will ask, "What did you do to show gratitude for it ?" The man will reply, ''I fought for Thy cause till I was martyred." Allah will say, "You lie. You fought that people might call you courageous, and they have done so." Command will then be issued about him, and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into Hell. Next a man who has acquired and taught knowledge and read the Quran will be brought forward, and after Allah has reminded him of the favor He showed him and the man acknowledges it, He will ask, "What did you do to show gratitude for it?" The man will reply, "I acquired and taught knowledge and read the Quran for Thy sake." Allah will say, "You lie. You acquired knowledge that people might call you learned, and you read the Quran that they might call you a reader, and they have done so." Command will then be issued about him, and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into Hell.

Next a man whom Allah has made affluent and whom He has given all kinds of property will be brought forward, and after Allah has reminded him of the favor He showed him and the man acknowledges it, He will ask, "What did you do to show gratitude for it ?" The man will reply, ''I have not neglected to give liberally for Thy sake to all the causes approved by Thee for this purpose." Allah will say, "You lie. You did it that people might call you generous, and they have done so." Command will then be issued about him, and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into Hell. Muslim transmitted it.