. J (cont.)

In other words, if someone finds a good result due to his good deeds, he should thank and praise Allah for the good reward that Allah has given him in this world. Allah does promise a "good life" for those who do good in the verse, 1 lbn Taimiya, Majmoo, vol. 1 8, pp. 202-203. 2 According to al-Haitami, this is why the word yaloomann ("blames") contains the Jetter noon with a shaddah (stress), which emphasizes that the person might try to blame others but he, in fact, has no one to blame but himself. Al-Haitami, Fath, p. 200. Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi ;.. .... ,,.._ .... J ,,... ,,,. ,,,. f/ "'!.., '0 ଘ ,, $, /, / ,•i.;t J$t O; . :. Ƭ I.² .DZ.:. - . ::. 0 ร .J • -::. • _;.,. .Y') I..:> ru / / u:- u "' ɂ _,1%:/. i \ଐ  / $ L , /$ f $ , :/.:_&\/ uȐ '._J-J ૸:- ૹ.r:- ૺr) "Whoever works righteousnesswhether male or female-- while he is a true believer, verily, to him We will give a good life [in this world] and We shall certainly pay them a reward [in the Hereafter] in proportion to the best of what they used to do" (al-Nahl 97). On the other hand, if a person does evil and then sees the bad result of it for him in this life, he should only blame himself for his original act and quickly repent to Allah. Allah says, 0.;.; ੲ r-+1:1 ;J;=.'l T y1@T wdž A?·'l1 y1@T :::._; 1, ੴ ;;!ϟ) / / / "And, verily, We shall make them taste of the near torment [in this life] before the supreme torment [in the Hereafter], in order that they may [repent and] return [to submitting to Allah]" (al-Sajdah 21).1 Three Categories of People Ibn Taimiya states that with respect to attitude toward good deeds and sins people can be divided into three categories.2 The worst people are those who excuse their sins by saying that they were decreed by Allah and there was no way to escape them while at the same time they take full credit for the good deeds they perform. Hence, they blame Allah for their sins. They say, "Why did Allah make me do that?" At the same time, though, they take credit for their good deeds since they performed them by choice. They do not give Allah any hand in their doing of good deeds. They forget that Allah has made it easy for them to perform good deeds and has guided them to those good deeds. Ibn al-Jauzi has described these people by saying that when it comes to their sins, they are compulsionists but when it comes to their good deeds, they are free-willers. This is the result of nothing but their own vain desires. The best people and those of the correct approach are those who, when they perform any good deed, thank and praise Allah for His blessing of having guided them to that deed. They realize that they are in need of Allah and cannot actually accomplish anything without Allah's grace and help. Like those who reach Paradise, they say as described in the Quran, 1 lbn Rajah, Jaami, vol. 2, p. 53. 2 lbn Taimiya, Majmoo, vol. 18, pp. 204-209. Hadith #24: "O My Servants, I have Forbidden Wrongdoing . . . " "[They say,] 'All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has guided us to this, never could we have found guidance, were it not that Allah had guided us. Indeed, the messengers of our Lord did come with the truth'" (al-Araa/43). When these people commit sins, they confess their sins and admit that their sins were of their own doing and free-will. When they commit sins, they do not blame Allah but, instead, turn to Allah seeking forgiveness and repenting to Him. They are like their "parents" Adam and Eve who said, ., ,., J. ... ,,.. ;:i:i .... / ... :.,iµ1 :r P_p G:;.._;Jj u ;Ll.J ુ 01) G.:..1i ଔ ਺) u.. .... ,, ,,.. ; "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If you forgive us not, and bestow not upon us Your mercy, we shall certainly be of the losers" (al-Araaf 23). Their approach is much different from that of Iblis who arrogantly stated, .... .. .... ., , , JI : I ଖ _ -- r ੫ 1 # --, ,J೓, -- , -- ௃ O1 , ,,,. .... !. J, --ǥ ' _o - . .._ .!.u:::r'_rP u...l.Al ) , ೒y ม \...J r ,.,,. ... Ü.... .. ,,. "[Iblis] said, 'Because You have sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait against them on Your Straight Path" (al-Araaf 16). Although these people believe in Qadar, they do not use it as an excuse when they commit sins. They know that everything is by the Decree of Allah yet they realize that their committing of sins is by their own choice and will.