A Man Who Worshiped For 500 Years: We Can't Get to Heaven Through Only Good Deeds | Abdullah Qureshi
Channel: Muslim Community Center - MCC East Bay
Date: 07/01/2023

Sidi Abdullah Qureshi gives spiritual insights stressing how the acquisition of eternal paradise solely depends on God Almighty’s Grace and Mercy. 

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he angel Jibra’il (AS) told the Messenger of Allah (SAW) the following incident about a man in the past who has worshiped Allah (SWT) continuously for 500 years. He was granted a shelter on top of a mountain that was surrounded by salty water. However, Allah (SWT) caused a stream of sweet water to flow through the mountain for that individual. The man would drink from this water and use it to make ablution. Allah (SWT) also raised a pomegranate tree from which the man would eat one fruit every day.

One day, this person supplicated to Allah (SWT) that, “Oh Allah, bring my death while I am in the state of prostration.” Allah (SWT) accepted this du’a of his. Whenever Jibra’il (AS) came down to the Earth, he found this man prostrating to Allah (SWT). Jibrail (AS) said that on the Day of Judgment, Allah (SWT) will tell the angels to take this individual to Paradise through His Mercy. However, this man will insist that he should enter paradise through the good deeds that he had performed.

Then, Allah (SWT) will tell the angels to compare his good deeds with the blessings that were given to him in the world. It will be seen that 500 years of his worship does not even equal to the gift of eye sight that was given to him (and all of humanity, for that sake) by Allah. The angels will be asked to take him towards the hell-fire. Then the man will plead, “Oh Allah! Enter me into Paradise only through Your Mercy.” At that point, the following discussion will take place between Allah (SWT) and that man.

Allah: Oh my servant, who created you?

The worshipper: Oh Allah, You have created me.

Allah: Were you created because of the good deeds you have done or because of My mercy?

The worshiper: Because of Your mercy.

Allah: Who granted you the ability to worship for 500 years?

The worshiper: Oh the Almighty! You have granted me that ability.

Allah: Who placed you on the mountain surrounded by the ocean? Who caused a stream of sweet water to flow in between the salty water? Who caused a pomegranate tree to grow for you? Who granted you death while in the state of prostration?

The worshiper: Oh the Sustainer of the Worlds! You have done all of these.

Then Allah (SWT) will say, “All these have happened due to My Mercy and you too will enter Paradise only through My Mercy.”

Source: Obtained from the book Tambihul Ghafileen by Shaikh Abul-Laith Samarkandi.

Al-Bayhaqi may Allaah have mercy upon him cited this report in Shuʻab Al-Eemaan as well as Al-Haakim may Allaah have mercy upon him in his book Al-Mustadrak. Shaykh Al-Albaani may Allaah have mercy upon him  classified it as Dhaʻeef (weak) in his books As-Silsilah Adh-Dhaʻeefah and Dhaʻeef At-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb.

Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Follow the right course, be devoted, and give glad tidings. Verily, none of you will enter Paradise by his deeds alone.” They said, “Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet said, “Not even me, unless Allah grants me His mercy. Know that the most beloved deed to Allah is that which is done regularly, even if it is small.”

This sermon was delivered at the Muslim Community Center - East Bay (MCC East Bay) in Pleasanton, California on Friday, December 30, 2022. Watch the entire sermon at https://youtu.be/ePRY4BizUwQ

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