Summary
The article reflects on a Quranic verse that identifies four qualities loved by Allah. It explains how repentance, purification, trust in Allah, and justice strengthen faith, improve character, and help believers earn Allah’s love.
“And hasten towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared for those mindful of Allah (Muttaqi). They are those who donate in prosperity and adversity, control their anger, and pardon others. And Allah loves the good-doers (Muhsineen).” [Surah Al e Imran:133-134]
The above verse encourages us to make haste in repenting and in asking for Paradise. Allah motivates His worshippers by making mention of the size of Paradise, “As vast as heavens and the earth.” In the same verse, He also sets a benchmark for the qualification to achieve ‘forgiveness from Allah’ and the ‘vast Paradise,’ which is that it is ‘prepared for those who are muttaqi,’ meaning, those who are righteous and mindful of Allah. The qualification then adds four characteristics, which would cause a muhsin person to achieve taqwa:- Those who donate during prosperity.
- Those who donate during adversity.
- Those who control the anger.
- Those who pardon people.
“Satan threatens you with the prospect of poverty and bids you to the shameful deeds [of stinginess]. Allah promises you forgiveness and great bounties from Him.” [Surah Al Baqarah: 268]
Spending during prosperity includes donating your possessions that are beloved to you, which is a condition to attain Paradise“By no means you shall attain al-birr (righteousness) unless you spend of that which you love.” [Surah Al e Imran:92]
When the above ayat was revealed, Abu Talha, an Ansari Companion, offered to donate his most beloved garden called Bayruha, and so he approached the Prophet (ﷺ) and requested him to utilize it where he thought it to be most feasible. The Prophet (ﷺ) appreciated it and called it a profitable property, but suggested that Abu Talha (Allah be pleased with him) distribute it among his kin and kith. [Ahmed, 3:141]
Umar bin Al Khattab (Allah be pleased with him) approached the Prophet (ﷺ) and offered his fertile land which he had received as a share during the invasion of Khaybar. He said, “This land is my most beloved land.” The Prophet (ﷺ) suggested that he retain the land but give away its fruits for Allah’s cause. [Sahih Muslim 2:1256]
The Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) were ready to give away all their property in return for the expiation of sins. Ka’b bin Malik missed out on participating in the Expedition of Tabuk, for which he felt remorse even after Allah forgave him. He said, “Messenger of Allah, to make my repentance complete, I should divest myself of my property as charity for Allah and His Messenger.” The Prophet replied, “Retain some of your property, for that will be better for you.” So he said he would retain the portion he had at Khaibar. [Mishkat al Masabih 3434, Graded Sahih by Albani]
Spending During Adversity While appreciating spending in prosperity, Allah also appreciates those who spend in adversity. He has also reprimanded those who mock and make fun of those who are only able to give a little, thus acknowledging that even a small amount of charity given with sincerity is a treasure before Him.“There are those who slander some of the believers for donating liberally and mock others for giving only the little they can afford. Allah will throw their mockery back at them, and they will suffer a painful punishment.” [Surah Al-Tawbah:79]
Ibn ‘Abbas said, “One day, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out to the people and called them to bring forth their charity, and they started bringing their charity. Among the last to come forth was a man [Abu Aqail Al Ansari, Allah be pleased with him] who brought a sa’ of dates, saying, ‘O Allah’s Messenger! This is a sa’ of dates. I spent the night bringing water and earned two sa’ of dates for my work. I kept one sa’ and brought you the other sa’.’ The Messenger of Allah ordered him to add it to the charity. Some people mocked him by saying that Allah does not need such a small amount of charity. So Allah reprimanded them in the above ayat.” [Ibn Kathir, Tafseer of Surah al-Tawbah:79]
The charity of the salaf would overflow with generosity, and they never hesitated to offer whatever they could, at times giving more and ignoring their own need, all in order to be muhsin. Controlling Anger Anger is the opposite of pleasure and causes a desire for revenge. It is a human trait to be angry. Some anger, such as being angry at munkar can be rewarded by Allah. However, the majority of outbursts of anger bring about damaging outcomes. It is also harmful to health, increasing blood pressure, and at times causing the person to become abusive or even aggressive enough to kill in a fit of anger. Angry people haste to make decisions that they regret, like issuing an instant divorce, hitting somebody, or breaking off relations in the family or business partnership. There is a popular Arabic saying that a person’s real nature is displayed when something makes him angry. “They control their anger,” means they do not let anger overpower them, since it is from Satan. The Islamic medication for controlling anger is:1. Seek refuge in Allah from Shaytan – The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
“I know a phrase, which if repeated would cause a man to get rid of his angry, ‘I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed .’” [Sahih Abu Dawood:4781, Graded Sahih by Shaikh Albani]
2. Change position –The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
When one of you becomes angry, if he is standing, then he should sit down. If the anger leaves him, then well and good, otherwise he should lie down.” [Sahih Abu Dawood: 4782- Graded Sahih by Shaikh Albani]
3. Keep silent – The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
“If any of you becomes angry, then let him remain silent.” [Reported by Imam Ahmad, al-Musnad, 1/329]
To Forgive People It is from a noble character to forgive people. Forgiving people when you are in a position to punish them is highly recommended, and it is from the best mannerisms of Islam. Allah has appreciated such a trait and promises a great reward:“And when they are angry they forgive people.” [Surah As-Shura: 37]
“Whoever forgives and reconciles will get a great reward from Allah.” [Surah As Shura: 40]
We see that forgiveness was a trait among the early generations of Muslims, even amongst the believing slaves. It has been related,“Mu’awiya b. Suwaid once slapped a slave belonging to us and then fled away. He came back just before noon and offered prayer behind his father. The father called him [the slave] and said, ‘Do as he has done to you’ but the slave forgave him.” [Sahih Muslim: 4081]
It has been related concerning another Companion,“Abu Mas’ud al-Badri was beating his slave with a whip when he heard a voice from behind him, ‘Understand, Abu Masud,’ but he did not recognise the voice due to his intense anger. As he came near he found that it was the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and he was saying, ‘Bear in mind, Abu Mas’ud; bear in mind, Abu Mas’ud.’ He (Abu Mas’ud) threw the whip from his hand. Thereupon the Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘Bear in mind, Abu Mas’ud; verily Allah has more dominance upon you than you have upon your slave.’ I (then) said, ‘I would never beat my servant in the future.’” [Sahih Muslim: 4086]
The companions applied these verses in their lives and qualified themselves to be loved by Allah. How long shall we wait for this opportunity?Frequently Asked Question
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