Sermon of the Mutaqqīn [Part 16]
The Daytime Disposition of the Muttaqī : Physical Features and Mindset of The Muttaqī
﷽
In the Name of Allah, the All-Beneficent, the All-Merciful
As we move through this profound sermon, delivered by Imām ʿAlī (ʿa) describing the qualities of a Muttaqi, we now come to the stage where Imām (ʿa) describes how the sublime qualities manifest on the Muttaqī’s physical appearance(the bold text below):
وَأَمَّا النَّهَارَ فَحُلَمَاءُ عُلَمَاءُ، أَبْرَارٌ أَتْقِيَاءُ، قَدْ بَرَاهُمْ الْخَوْفُ بَرْيَ الْقِدَاحِ، يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهمُ الْنَّاظِرُ فَيَحْسَبُهُمْ مَرْضَى، وَمَا بِالْقَوْمِ مِنْ مَرَض، وَيَقُولُ: قَدْ خُولِطُوا! وَلَقَدْ خَالَطَهُمْ أَمْرٌ عَظِيمٌ!
“During the day they are enduring, learned, virtuous and God-fearing. Fear (of Allah) has made them thin like arrows. If any one looks at them he believes they are sick, although they are not sick, and he says that they have gone mad. In fact, great concern (i.e., fear) has made them mad.”
When the Imām (ʿa) describes them as "thin like arrows," he does not refer to physical thinness. Instead, he alludes to the genuine apprehension they feel regarding the weight of their responsibilities. This fear becomes a source of strength, making them resolute and prompt in their actions. The Imām (ʿa) draws a parallel between them and a finely honed arrow, symbolizing their exceptional accuracy and effectiveness in hitting their intended targets. Their decisiveness empowers them to pursue perfection with greater precision and efficiency.
In these lines, the Imām (ʿa) sheds light on a common misconception held by those who fail to comprehend or appreciate scholars and the pious (Muttaqoon). They mistakenly judge the Muttaqī as feeble or unwell simply because they don't conform to the usual activities of the majority. This erroneous viewpoint mirrors historical patterns seen in the lives of the Prophets, who were unjustly accused of ignorance, sorcery, and madness by ignorant individuals because they deviated from the norm. In reality, they were exemplary in their deeds and virtues.
In Ibn Abil Hadeed’s Sharh Nahj al-Balāghah, under the explanation of the ayah:
وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْتُونَ مَا آتَوا وَّقُلُوبُهُمْ وَجِلَةٌ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ رَاجِعُونَ
“who give whatever they give while their hearts tremble with awe that they are going to return to their Lord” (Sūrah al-Muʿminūn- 23:60)
The Prophet (ṣ) is asked whether this verse pertains to those who commit sins and fear the consequences of their transgressions.
The Prophet (ṣ) clarifies that this verse is not about sinners fearing punishment but rather about individuals who engage in acts of worship such as fasting and charity. They do so with a profound fear that their deeds may not be accepted by Allah, despite their sincere efforts.
The sermon proceeds to elaborate on the mindset of the Muttaqī, characterized by humility and a steadfast avoidance of overconfidence in one's deeds, with the following words:
لاَ يَرْضَوْنَ مِنْ أَعْمَالِهِمُ الْقَلِيلَ، وَلاَ يَسْتَكْثِرُونَ الْكَثِيرَ، فَهُمْ لاِنْفُسِهِمْ مُتَّهِمُونَ، وَمِنْ أَعْمَالِهِمْ مُشْفِقُونَ. إِذَا زُكِّيَ أَحَدٌ مِنْهْمْ خَافَ مِمَّا يُقَالُ لَهُ، فَيَقُولُ: أَنَا أَعْلَمُ بِنَفْسِي مِنْ غَيْرِي، وَرَبِّي أَعْلَمُ مِنِّي بِنَفْسي! اللَّهُمَّ لاَ تُؤَاخِذْنِي بِمَا يَقُولُونَ، وَاجْعَلْنِي أَفْضَلَ مِمَّا يَظُنُّونَ، وَاغْفِرْ لِي مَا لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ.
“They are not satisfied with their meager good acts, and do not regard their major acts as great. They always blame themselves and are afraid of their deeds. When anyone of them is spoken of highly, he says: "I know myself better than others, and my Lord knows me better than I know. O Allah, do not deal with me according to what they say, and make me better than they think of me and forgive me (those shortcomings) which they do not know."
In these lines, the Imām (ʿa) highlights the unceasing dedication of the Muttaqī. Despite their unwavering commitment and advanced comprehension, they remain persistently aware of their perceived insufficiencies. Their persistent pursuit of excellence prevents them from becoming complacent with their virtuous actions. Unlike ordinary individuals who may become overly pleased with a few good deeds and develop an exaggerated sense of self-importance, the Muttaqī humbly regards their relatively abundant good deeds as nothing remarkable.
Furthermore, they possess the exceptional attribute of regularly engaging in self-examination, a practice that many either neglect or approach with indifference. They are unwavering in their pursuit of spiritual growth, driven by a perpetual apprehension that they may fall short in fulfilling their obligations to Allah. This ever-present concern compels them to remain vigilant and accountable for all their actions, constantly fearing the day they will be called to account for their deeds.
Certain commentators of Nahj al-Balāghah interpret the term "أَعْمَالِ" (deeds) to be exclusively focused on acts of worship (ʿIbādah) directed towards Allah. While it is undeniable that the lifestyles of the Maʿṣūmīn highlight the significance of these acts in drawing closer to Allah (swt), it is essential to recognize that "أَعْمَالِ" encompasses a broader scope. In addition to worshiping Allah, it encompasses all actions that constitute one's societal responsibilities.
Therefore, "أَعْمَالِ" carries a broader connotation, motivating the one aspiring to be like the Muttaqī described by Imām ʿAlī (ʿa), to lead a comprehensive and exemplary life encompassing their family, society, and community.
Three quotations from the Maʿṣūmīn (ʿa) emphasize the humility of the Muttaqī:
Our 4th Holy Imām (ʿa) captures the humility of the Muttaqī in regards to his أَعْمَالِ beautifully, in these words in his profound Dua Abu Hamza Thamali:
وَمَا قَدْرُ أَعْمَالِنَا فِي جَنْبِ نِعَمِكَ
What value remains for our deeds if compared to Your favors?
وَكَيْفَ نَسْتَكْثِرُ أَعْمَالاً نُقَابِلُ بِهَا كَرَمَكَ
How can we ever deem much any deeds if compared to Your generosity?
In the book of Gharaat1, it is narrated from some companions of Amīrul Muʾminīn (ʿa) that they asked him, "How much do you give in charity and spend in the way of Allah? Do you not hold anything back?" He replied:
لَوْ أعْلَمُ أَنَّ اللهَ قَبِلَ مِنّى فَرْضاً واحِداً لأمْسَکْتُ وَ لکنّى وَاللهِ ما أدْرى أقَبِلَ اللهُ مِنّى شَيْئاً أمْ لا؟
"If I knew that Allah accepted one obligatory act from me, I would rely upon it. However, I do not know whether Allah has accepted anything from me or not."
From Imām Muḥammad al-Bāqir (ʿa): 2
قال الباقر عليه السلام ثلاث قاصماُت الظهر َرجٌل استكثر عمله، ونسي دنوبه، وأعَجَب برأيه.
Imām Muḥammad al-Bāqir (ʿa) said: “Three things are back-breaking: overestimating one's deeds, forgetting one's sins and only considering one's own viewpoints.”
Therefore, we observe that the Muttaqī, in accordance with the guidance of the Qurʾān and the Ahlul Bayt (ʿa), never allows overconfidence to seep into their actions.
We are well aware that one of the impediments to spiritual advancement, both in the eyes of God and within human society, lies in the adulation and flattery of others. This form of undue praise has led many leaders astray in the world. Hence, pious individuals should exercise caution in lavishing excessive praise upon others, as it may inadvertently foster arrogance and self-worship, inviting divine censure. Simultaneously, they beseech God to elevate them beyond the realm of adulation and, should they harbor hidden faults or sins, to grant them His forgiveness.
This serves as a valuable lesson for the general populace as well—not to become conceited about their deeds, no matter how abundant they may be, as the matter of sincerity is intricate and demanding.
Imām (ʿa) encapsulates this discourse on maintaining humility in the face of praise with a supplication to be recited when someone commends us. In keeping with this sentiment, we conclude this post by sharing this prayer, aspiring to perpetually retain our humility and down-to-earth nature. The Imām (ʿa) articulates:
إِذَا زُكِّيَ أَحَدٌ مِنْهْمْ خَافَ مِمَّا يُقَالُ لَهُ، فَيَقُولُ: أَنَا أَعْلَمُ بِنَفْسِي مِنْ غَيْرِي، وَرَبِّي أَعْلَمُ مِنِّي بِنَفْسي! اللَّهُمَّ لاَ تُؤَاخِذْنِي بِمَا يَقُولُونَ، وَاجْعَلْنِي أَفْضَلَ مِمَّا يَظُنُّونَ، وَاغْفِرْ لِي مَا لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ
When anyone of them is spoken of highly, he says: "I know myself better than others, and my Lord knows me better than I know. O Allah, do not deal with me according to what they say, and make me better than they think of me and forgive me (those shortcomings) which they do not know."
Until next week, fī amānillāh
https://en.wikishia.net/view/Al-Gharat_(book)
https://hadith.academyofislam.com/?q=_id:8000