By Shaykh Mazhar Mahmood
Our beloved Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ has stated in a narration:
سَدِّدوا وقارِبوا واعلموا أنه لن يُدخِلَ أحدَكم عملُه الجنَّةَ وأنَّ أحبَّ الأعمالِ إلى الله أدومُها وإن قَلَّ
“Be balanced in your worship. Understand that nobody will enter paradise by means of their actions. The most beloved actions to Allāh are those which are perpetual, even if they are minute.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al Targhīb)
Reflection:
Be balanced in your worship
(Not so extreme that you overrun the faith and not so relaxed that you undermine the faith).
Understand that nobody will enter paradise by means of their actions.
(Rather it is the mercy of the Almighty, which will be a means for a person’s entrance into paradise. So let not a person, who is even worshipping Allāh in moderation think to themselves that they are independent of Allāh through their balanced practices).
The most beloved actions to Allāh are those which are perpetual, even if they are minute.
(The Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ is explaining to us the essence of moderation and balance with this statement.)
Aside from the obligations, which in any case, a Muslim is mandated to fulfil; people, at times, in a boost of emotional spirituality render a quick wave of abundance in worship; but soon give that particular worship up.
For example; Zubayr hears a moving talk about tahajjud and receives a spiritual boost, which motivates him to decide on dedicating the entire night for standing in humility to the Almighty. After the passing of a few nights in tahajjud, he is too burdened to get up for even the mandatory Fajr prayer, due to the restlessness from nights of standing in prayer.
‘Abdullāh listens to the same talk, but decides on dedicating four rak’ats (units) of tahajjud everyday. He is steadfast in this practice, contrary to the person who dedicated nights in prayer, but eventually let go of the practice.
According to the sentiment of the Prophet Muḥammad, Maḥmood’s consistency in his minimal worship is more beloved to the Almighty than Mazhar’s wave of temporary worship.
This applies to all acts of virtue.
Perpetuity in virtue is progress; even if it may be petite.
May Allāh Almighty inspire us to adhere to this blessed ḥadīth of the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ.
