Feb 2, 2009

Posted by in Allah, Etiquette in Islam | 1 Comment

Etiquette and behavior towards Allah

Thanking Allah

A Muslim thanks about the countless blessings that has bestowed upon him. He considers the numerous bounties that Allah has given him from the time that he was a “drop of fluid” in his mother’ womb. The bounties continues until he meets his Lord. Therefore, a Muslim must thank Allah for these bounties with his tongue, by praising Him and extolling Him in a proper manner. He must also thank Him with his limbs by using them in obedience to Him. This is how we should behave towards Allah. Obviously, it is never considered proper etiquette to be ungrateful for bounties one has received or to reject the bounties of the One Who gives. One also should never deny the goodness and bounties he has received.

Allah has said in the Qur’an:

“And whatever blessing or good thing you have, it is from Allah.” (16:53)

Allah also says:

“And he gave you of all that you asked for, and if you count the blessings of Allah, never will you be able to count them.”  (14:34)

Another verse states:

“Therefore remember Me (by prayer and glorification), I will remember you. Be grateful to Me and never be ungrateful to Me.” (2:152)

Knowing Allah

A Muslim thinks about Allah’s knowledge and the fact that He is watching everything that he does under any circumstances. The Muslim’s heart then becomes filled with awe, respect and veneration for Allah. He becomes shy and embarrassed to disobey Him. He will be too shy to go against His Commands and disobey Him. This is how he should behave towards Allah. Obviously, it is not proper etiquette at all for a slave to against his master by disobeying him or by treating him with evil and disrespect while his master is witnessing and watching him. Allah has said:

Fearing Allah

“What is the matter with you, that {you fear not Allah (his punishment), and} you hope not for reward (from Allah or you not believe in His Oneness). While He has created you in (different) stages(first Nutfah, then Alaqah and then Mudgah.) (71:13,14)

Allah also says:

“And Allah knows what you conceal and what you reveal.” (16:19)

And yet another verse states:

“Neither you (O Muhammad), do any deed nor recite any portion of the Qur’an nor you (O mankind) do any deed (good or evil), but We are Witness thereof, when you are doing it. And nothing is hidden from your Lord (so much as) the weight of an atom (or small ant) on the earth or in the heaven.” (10:61)

Placing trust in Allah

A Muslim also ponders over Allah’s Power and Control over him, how his forelock is in the Hand of Allah. He knows that there is no escape or fleeing from Him. There is no refuge or shelter except in Allah himself. Therefore, the Muslim flees to Allah and throws himself before Him. He leaves his affairs with Allah and puts his trust in Him. This is how he should behave with respect to his Lord and Creator.

It is not proper etiquette whatsoever to flee from One from Whom there is no fleeing. Nor is it proper to rely upon one who has no power. Nor should one put his trust in one having no power or ability.

Allah has said:

“There is not a moving (living) creature but he has grasp of its forelock.” (11:56)

Allah also says:

“So flee to Allah. (from His Torment to His Mercy – Islamic Monotheism). Verily, I (Muhammad(SAWS) am a plain Warner to you from Him.” (51:50)

Allah says:

“Put your trust in Allah if you are believers indeed.” (5:23)

A Muslim also considers how generous and compassionate Allah has been to him in all his affairs. He considers Allah’s mercy upon him and upon all of His creation. He desires to have more of that mercy. Then he humbles himself to Allah with sincere humility and supplications. He seeks a means of approach to Allah with the best of speech and good deeds. This is how he should behave towards his Lord Allah. It is not a proper behavior whatsoever to despair of receiving more of His Mercy which encompasses everything. Nor should one despair of receiving more of His Goodness that encompasses all living creatures and His Generosity that is for all existence.

Certainly, Allah has stated:

“My mercy embraces all things.” (7:156)

Allah also says:

“Allah is very Gracious and Kind to His slaves.”  (42:19)

Allah has also said:

“Certainly, no one despairs of Allah’s mercy, except the people who disbelieve.” (12:87)

Another verse states:

“Despair not the mercy of Allah.” (39:53)

Obeying Allah

A Muslim also considers severe grip and ability to punish severely. He also considers Allah’s swift reckoning. Then the person makes sure that he obeys Allah and tries to die without disobeying Him. This is all part of his proper behavior towards Allah. People of intelligence know that it is not proper behavior for a weak and incapable slave to commit acts of disobedience and wrong towards the Lord Who is the Powerful, the All-Capable, the Strong, the Dominant.

He has said:

“But when Allah wills a people’s punishment, there can be no turning back of it; and they will find besides Him no protector.” (13:11)

Allah also says:

“Verily, (O Muhammad), the Seizure (punishment) of your Lord is severe and painful.” (85:12)

Allah also says:

“Allah is Almighty, All-Able of Retribution.” (3:4)

Expecting from Allah

A Muslim should also think about Allah while he is disobeying Him as if Allah’s threat is already applying to him and His punishment has already come upon him due to his action. He should also think about Allah while obeying Him and following His Laws as if His Promise has already come true for him and Allah’s Pleasure has already been bestowed upon him. This is part of the Muslim having good expectations of Allah. Having good expectations or thoughts about Allah is part of the proper etiquette towards Allah. It is not proper whatsoever for a person to have bad thoughts about Allah and, therefore, disobey Him and think that Allah is not watching what he is doing or will not take him to account.

Allah has said:

“But you thought that Allah knew not much of what you were doing. And that thought of yours which you thought about your Lord, has brought you to destruction; and you have become (this day) of those utterly lost.” (41:22,23)

It is also not proper behavior for a person to fear Allah and obey Him while suspecting that he will not be rewarded for the good deeds he performed or that he shall not be recompensed for his obedience and acts of worship.

Certainly, Allah has stated:

“And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger (SAWS), fears Allah, and keeps his duty (to Him), such are the successful.” (24:52)

Allah also says:

“Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he or she is a true believer, verily to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter).” (16:97)

Allah says:

“Whoever brings a good deed shall have ten times the like thereof to his credit; and whoever brings an evil deed shall have only the recompense of the like thereof, and they will not be wronged.” (6:160)

In conclusion,

a Muslim must be thankful to his Lord for the bounties He has given him

  • He must be shy towards his Lord whenever he leans towards committing a sin
  • he must sincerely turn to his Lord
  • put his trust in Him
  • hope for His Mercy
  • fear His Punishment
  • he must have good expectations concerning Allah with respect to Allah fulfilling His Promises and carrying out His threats for whoever He wills for His slaves.

This is how he should behave toward Allah. The more that he sticks to these matters and guide them, the greater will be his position and more elevated will be his rank. He shall be greatly blessed by Allah and he shall become one of the devoted slaves of Allah and from those people whom Allah protects. He shall be enveloped in Allah’s Mercy and shall have Allah’s Blessings bestowed upon him.

This is the most any Muslim could hope to achieve and this is what he should seek during his entire life.

O Allah, make us from Your devoted slaves. O Allah, do not prevent us from being among those whom You protect. O Allah, make us from those who are close to you, O Allah, Lord of the worlds.

  1. MashaAllah, so beautifully said,
    May Allah increase your rewards

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