Dated: Wednesday, 9 May 2001
Whatever action we perform, whether good or bad, a record of it continues to be made. The noble angels record our deeds, meaning that a continuous visual record is formed.
Similitude
A complete record exists on the Preserved Tablet. In this record, all actions are recorded, both good and bad. It is written on the Preserved Tablet that a servant will pray and will fast. The servant sometimes prays and sometimes does not. Sometimes he fasts and sometimes he does not. Sometimes he consumes lawful provision, sometimes unlawful. Sometimes he speaks the truth and sometimes he lies.
Our revered guide, Qalandar Baba Auliya (may Allah have mercy on him), states:
“A mode of thinking is a way of thinking. If the mode of thinking is not positive, a person becomes distant from his soul.”
A woman once came to Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) and spoke about her acts of worship, explaining that she spent the entire night in worship and observed fasts during the day. Hazrat Aisha was pleased and showed her hospitality. When the woman left, Hazrat Aisha mentioned this to the Prophet ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Let the deed be small, but let it be consistent.”
If we perform any task beyond our capacity, we become ill. Eating is a routine activity. Some people eat more, some eat less. If food is consumed beyond one’s capacity, heaviness sets in and health deteriorates.
Consistent action takes us into boundlessness. Good actions give strength to the soul. A positive mode of thinking brings a person closer to the soul.
What do you understand by a positive mode of action, and what by a negative mode of action?
When Allah Almighty granted the vicegerency of the universe to Hazrat Adam (peace be upon him), He presented Adam before the angels. The angels submitted that Adam would spread corruption.
Allah Almighty taught Adam the knowledge of names and then commanded Adam:
وَعَلَّمَ آدَمَ الْأَسْمَاءَ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمْ عَلَى الْمَلَائِكَةِ فَقَالَ أَنبِئُونِي بِأَسْمَاءِ هَٰؤُلَاءِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
“And He taught Adam the names of all things, then presented them to the angels and said, ‘Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful.’”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:31)
When Hazrat Adam presented the knowledge taught by Allah, the angels submitted:
قَالُوا سُبْحَانَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَا إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ
“They said, ‘Glory be to You, we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, You are the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.’”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:32)
However, Iblis rebelled against the command of Allah and was cast away. Iblis said:
قَالَ أَنَا خَيْرٌ مِّنْهُ ۖ خَلَقْتَنِي مِن نَّارٍ وَخَلَقْتَهُ مِن طِينٍ
“He said, ‘I am better than him. You created me from fire and You created him from clay.’”
(Surah Al-A‘raf 7:12)
Thus, there are two characters: Hazrat Adam (peace be upon him) and the rejected Satan.
- Hazrat Adam accepted the authority of Allah Almighty and demonstrated humility, modesty, and obedience.
- Satan disobeyed and committed defiance. Not only this, he displayed insolence before Allah Almighty.
In one character there is obedience and submission, and in the other there is disobedience, insolence, and defiance.
In this regard, the rational explanation is that from clay emerge flowers, fruits, and trees. Vegetables, crops, and countless things essential for human life are produced. In contrast, the attribute of fire is that it burns.
From Book: “Awareness” by Khawaja Shamsuddin Azeemi