I begin with the Name of Allaah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
“But for him who fears the standing before his Lord, there will be two Gardens (in Paradise).” Qur’an 55:46
There was a long period of time over a man when he was not worth mentioning. Then Allaah, the Lord of the universe, brought him into existence from non-existence and placed him on the face earth in order for him to worship Him alone. Undoubtedly, the existence of man on the face earth is a test for which he is going to be required in relation to his deeds.
Evidently, Allaah Exalted be He, says: “Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the dominion, and he is Able to do all things. Who has created death and life, that He may test you which of you is best in deed….” Qur’an 67:1-2. In his Tafseer, ibn Jarir At-Tabari, quoted Imam Qatadah that, Allaah has humbled the son of Adam with death and has made this world an abode of living and it is temporary while He has made the Hereafter an abode of recompense and it is eternal.
Similarly, Ibn Katheer in his Tafseer he said, Muhammad bin ‘Ajlaan said, Allaah Exalted be He, did not say, ‘who is more in deeds’ rather He says, ‘best in deeds.’ From these two statements, it is clear that what matters is the quality of the deeds of the son of Adam and not quantity devoid of quality. This notion of quality over quantity has been alluded to by Imam Al-Baghawy in his Tafseer under same verse when he referenced the statement of Fudayl bin ‘Iyaad who said, ‘best in deeds’ meaning most sincere and consistent.
Furthermore, Fudayl bin ‘Iyaad said, “deed is not accepted until it is done with sincerity and consistency, sincerely: if it is because of Allaah and consistent: if it is upon the Sunnah (practice of the Prophet peace be upon him).
For this reason, every man should strive for the best in this life and in the Hereafter. The scariest scene has to be when each man is called upon to stand before Allaah, the Most High, for accountability. Imagine standing in front of the All-knowing, Well-Acquainted with all the deeds of man! Imagine having to recall the minutest detail of everything that one did while on the face of earth! Imagine going down the memory lane remembering every deed good and bad! Imagine standing in front of the Most Just, Who does not oppress anyone nor is He unjust to anyone and anything.
Of central concern therefore to, every such man that aspires for Jannah (Paradise) and fears the standing before his Lord is to be mindful of his duties to the Lord of the Universe. Indeed, Allaah, Exalted be He, says: “On that Day man will be informed of what he sent forward (of his evil or good deeds), and what he left behind (of his good or evil traditions). Nay! Man will be a witness against himself [as his body parts (skin, hands, legs..) will speak about his deeds]. Though he may put forth his excuse (to cover his evil deeds).” Qur’an 75:13-15
Consequently, when Allaah says: “Every soul must taste death”, Qur’an 29:57, Ibn Katheer in his Tafseer said, “wherever you are, death with catch up with you, so always obey Allaah and be where Allaah commands you to be, for this is better for you. Death is inevitable and there is no escape from it, and then you will return to Allaah, and whoever was obedient to Him will have the best reward.”
Allaah, Exalted be He, informs of those who fear the standing before Him in a plethora of verses in the Glorious Qur’an. HE says: “And indeed, We shall make you dwell in the land after them. This is for him who fears standing before Me (on the Day of Resurrection or fears My punishment) and also fears My threat.” Qur’an 14:14.
Also, in describing the condition of two groups, Allaah Exalted be He, says: “Then for him who transgressed all bounds (in disbelief, oppression, and evil deeds of disobedience to Allaah). And preferred the life of this world (by following his evil desires and lusts), Verily, his abode will be Hell-Fire; But as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires, and lusts. Verily, Paradise will be his abode.” Qur’an 79: 37-41
Before considering any deed, think of its overbearing consequences. The society at large is in turmoil because the majority of its citizens are far from thinking about the Day they will stand before their Lord for accountability. If each man will remind himself of the fact that no deed of his will go unwatched in the Court of Allaah, as Allaah, Exalted be He says: “Consider not that Allaah is unaware of that which the Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, etc.) do, but He gives them respite up to a Day when the eyes will stare in horror.” Qur’an 14:42
Therefore, man has to fear Allaah wherever he is, and in whatever he does whether secretly or openly in order for him to escape the horror of the Day which Allaah Exalted be He, describes as; “hard and distressful, that will make the faces look horrible (from extreme dislike to it).” Qur’an 76:10.
In conclusion, the 49th verse of Qur’an 18 should serve as a deterrent for man whenever he thinks of disobeying Allaah. Allaah Exalted be He, says: “And the Book (one’s record) will be placed (in the right hand for a believer in the Oneness of Allaah, and in the left hand for a disbeliever in the Oneness of Allaah), and you will se the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners), fearful of that which is (recorded) therein. They will say: “Woe to us! What sort of Book is this that leaves neither a small thing nor a big thing, but has recorded it with numbers!” And they will find all that they did, placed before them, and your Lord treats no one with injustice.”
Mr Abdul (Penabdul), an architect, is the Chairman/CEO of Sustainable Project Works (SPW) Ltd & a Lecturer at Baze University, Abuja. Twitter: @Penabdull Instagram: @Penabdul
