by Imam Ibn al-Jawzī [d. 597 A. H. (1203/1204 Common Era)
I realized that my ‘self’ acts in surprising ways; it asks Allāh for what it needs and forgets the crimes it’s committed!
I rebuked it, ‘O evil self (nafs al-sū’), how could a person like you dare to speak! If you ever should utter a word, it should be to ask for His forgiveness alone.’
It replied, ‘Then from whom should I ask what I need?’ I replied, ‘How stubborn are you to realize the intended. I only advise you to repent sincerely then ask for what you want.’
It is similar to how we advise the one who intends to travel in order to commit a sin. If you had no food except a dead animal you find, it is unlawful for you to eat it. If one says, ‘Would you let him die then?’ We reply, ‘No he should repent from the sin he intended and then to eat.’
How dare you to ask for your needs while forgetting the preceding sins that should keep your head remain low? All you need to do is to busy yourself fixing your previous mistakes and regretting your sins, and then you shall receive what you asked for. It is as has been reported, “He who remembers me abundantly to ask me for his needs, I will grant him the best of what I grant those who ask.”
Bishr al-Hāfī used to raise his hands to supplicate but then he would return them and say: ‘A person like me should not ask as my sins make me too ashamed to ask.’
Though this is specific to Bishr due to his profound knowledge of Allāh, when he was asking he was too shy to ask due to his shortcomings as if he was asking Allāh face to face. The people of heedlessness (ghafla) on the other hand, ask while they are far away from Allāh!
You should therefore understand what I have mentioned and busy yourself in repenting from your sins. Besides that, I wonder at the supplications you make! You do not even ask a matter from the matters of this worldly life that are considered important. Rather, you ask for the surplus and do not bother asking for your heart to be rectified in the manner you ask for worldly affairs.
Be resolute and take control of your affairs because your heedlessness makes you stand on the edge of a cliff. Let your grief over your sins busy you from thinking of your needs.
Imām al-Hasan al-Basrī was known as being an extremely God fearing person (shadīd al-khawf) and when he was asked about that he said, ‘I have no guarantee that He did not say when He viewed some of my sins, ‘Go, I shall never forgive you!’
An excerpt from
Sayd al-Khātir “Captured Thoughts”
by Imam Ibn al-Jawzī
Dār as-Sunnah Publishers, UK
Posted by Al-Hidaayah Group, Inc.
Summarized Meaning of the article:
The article emphasizes the importance of repentance and seeking forgiveness before asking Allāh for one’s needs. It highlights the need to acknowledge and regret past sins, rather than ignoring them and asking for blessings. The author uses self-reflection and examples from righteous individuals to illustrate the importance of humility, shame, and sincerity in supplication.
Some Benefits from the article:
- Encourages self-reflection and accountability: Recognize and regret past sins to seek forgiveness.
- Promotes humility and sincerity: Approach Allah with shame and awareness of one’s shortcomings.
- Prioritizes repentance: Focus on rectifying past mistakes before asking for needs.
- Fosters a sense of urgency: Recognize the importance of seeking forgiveness before it’s too late.
- Encourages mindfulness: Be aware of one’s actions and their consequences.
- Provides guidance on supplication: Seek forgiveness and rectify one’s heart before asking for worldly needs.
- Inspires God-fearing and awareness: Strive to be like righteous individuals who demonstrate extreme God-fearing and awareness of their shortcomings.
Compiled by Al-Hidaayah Group, Inc.
