‘This is a tested matter’: the real fruits of good deeds and the Sunnah in scholars’ experience
Photo: Collected
Islamic Shariah brings complete guidance for every aspect of human life; this is one of its beauties. Islam purifies people’s hearts, guides their conduct on the right path and shows the way to well-being in this world and the hereafter.
The rulings of Shariah are not mere theory or abstract advice; they have real effects and fruits in life. People’s daily lives bear witness to those effects, experience proves them true, and the practice and observations of scholars through the ages say the same.
Certain phrases appear again and again in the writings of scholars: ‘This is a tested matter’; ‘This is a matter that can be directly observed’; ‘This is a tested and directly observable matter’. These words carry deep meaning.
These phrases show the link between the guidance of revelation, a correct understanding of Shariah and the experience of real life. They do not refer merely to guesswork-based experience; they refer to seeing the effects with one’s own eyes through understanding the teachings of Shariah and following them in life.
Many scholars of earlier and later eras have spoken of this principle on various matters, including prayer, worship, dawah, character building, gentle conduct, charity, repentance and Shariah-compliant treatment. The essence of their statements is that when people sincerely and properly follow the good that Shariah calls to, they feel many of its effects in their own lives.
The statements of several scholars on this subject, and their lessons, are given below:
Prayer restrains from indecency and wrongdoing
Allah the Exalted says, ‘Indeed, prayer restrains from indecency and wrongdoing.’ (Surah Al-Ankabut, verse 45)
According to Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (rah.), people can feel within themselves that prayer keeps them away from indecency and wrongdoing. Conversely, the hearts of those immersed in idle entertainment and desires often incline towards indecency and wrongdoing. (Al-Istiqamah: 1/318-319)
Fear of losing good by abandoning the Sunnah
Ibn al-Hajj (rah.) wrote that when someone adopts the outward appearance of a scholar without properly acquiring knowledge, people may take him for a scholar and ask him various religious questions. Embarrassed to admit his ignorance, he may then end up issuing wrong fatwas.
In this way he falls into trouble himself and also misleads others. His observation on this is that it is a tested and well-known matter among scholars that whenever the Sunnah is abandoned in any area, whatever is done in its place, a shortfall of good remains. (Al-Madkhal, Ibn al-Hajj: 1/136-137)
Worship keeps the body active
In the words of Hafiz Ibn Kathir (rah.), worship keeps the body active and supple, while excessive sleep brings laziness and stiffness to the body; this is a tested matter. (Al-Bidaya wan-Nihaya: 9/322)
Shariah-compliant ruqyah and seeking cure from Allah
On the treatment of a person afflicted by magic, Shaykh Abdul Aziz ibn Baz (rah.) spoke of reciting the Quran, reciting the Quran over water and drinking that water, and bathing with it. In his view, crushing seven green sidr leaves in water and using it may also be beneficial, by Allah’s will.
He stressed that sincerely seeking cure from Allah and placing trust in Him are important. The true giver of cure is Allah the Exalted alone. (Fatawa Nur ala al-Darb, Ibn Baz, edited by Shuwai’ir: 3/375)
He also advised that instead of going to magicians and fortune-tellers, people should seek treatment through Shariah-compliant ruqyah and supplication. In his words, harm can be removed by Allah’s permission through recitation of the Quran and supplication.
Charity for Allah’s pleasure broadens the heart
According to Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen (rah.), giving charity with the aim of earning Allah’s pleasure broadens a person’s heart, keeps the mind happy and brings peace to the heart. Allah the Exalted says, ‘Know that, indeed, the friends of Allah will have no fear, nor will they grieve.’ (Surah Yunus, verse 62; Tafsir: Surah Al-Baqarah, Ibn Uthaymeen: 3/373)
He also said that when people sincerely spend their wealth, especially for Allah’s pleasure, they feel tranquillity within themselves. (Ash-Sharh al-Mumti: 6/8; Sharh Riyad as-Salihin: 5/237)
Security and stability of mind through faith and tawheed
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (rah.) said that the greater a person’s faith in Allah and the firmer they are in tawheed, the more security and stability they find. This is a tested matter. (Tafsir al-Uthaymeen, Surah Al Imran: 2/301)
Patience opens the door to boundless good
Allah the Exalted says, ‘Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without measure.’ (Surah Az-Zumar, verse 10)
In Ibn Uthaymeen’s explanation, when patience is combined with hope of reward from Allah, it becomes a cause of a good outcome and reward. (Tafsir al-Uthaymeen, Surah Al Imran: 2/601-602)
The stronger the faith, the easier the obedience
Ibn Uthaymeen (rah.) said that faith encourages people to obey Allah’s commands and stay away from His prohibitions. The stronger faith grows, the greater the eagerness to obey.
His explanation is that people feel this difference within themselves: sometimes the strength of faith is felt in the heart and worship feels pleasant, while at other times laziness sets in and worship seems hard. (Tafsir al-Uthaymeen, Surah Al-Ma’idah: 1/333)
Ignoring reduces quarrels
Ibn Uthaymeen (rah.) advised that it is not right to make every word of others a yardstick for judging against them; often forgiveness, overlooking and silence are better. He explained that answering abuse with abuse can prolong a quarrel and increase enmity and hatred, but restraining oneself and staying silent often calms the situation. (Sharh Riyad as-Salihin: 4/297)
Gifts increase love
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, ‘Give gifts to one another, and love will grow among you.’ (Al-Adab al-Mufrad)
On this, Ibn Uthaymeen (rah.) remarked: ‘This is a tested matter.’ (Sharh al-Aqidah as-Saffariniyyah: 1/602)
In conclusion, obedience to Allah, following the Sunnah and good character are major means of bringing good into people’s lives. One who sincerely seeks Allah’s pleasure and follows the guidance of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) can feel the touch of much good in this very world and can hope for reward in the hereafter.
Sources
Original report: Bangladesh Pratidin
