Effect Of Nearness To The Holy Prophet Sallalaahu Alaihi wasallam On Iman
Another Gem from Sahih Muslim
Sahih Muslim Book 37, Number 6623:
Hanzala Usayyidi, who was amongst the scribes of Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him). reported: I met Abu Bakr. He said: Who are you? He (Hanzala) said: Hanzala has turned out to be a hypocrite. He (Abu Bakr) said: Hallowed be Allah, what are you saying?
Thereupon he said: I say that when we are in the company of Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) we ponder over Hell-Fire and Paradise as if we are seeing them with our very eyes and when we are away from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) we attend to our wives, our children, our business; most of these things (pertaining to After-life) slip out of our minds.
Abu Bakr said: By Allah, I also experience the same. So I and Abu Bakr went to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and said to him: Allah’s Messenger, Hanzala has turned into a hypocrite. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: What has happened to you?
I said: Allah’s Messenger, when we are in your company, we are reminded of Hell-Fire and Paradise as if we are seeing them with our own eyes, but whenever we go away from you and attend to our wives, children, and business, much of these things go out of our minds.
Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: By Him in Whose Hand is my life, if your state of mind remains the same as it is in my presence and you are always busy in remembrance (of Allah), the Angels will shake hands with you in your beds and in your paths but, Hanzala, time should be devoted (to the worldly affairs) and time (should be devoted to prayer and meditation). He (the Holy Prophet) said this thrice.
Here are a few things to be noted from this wonderful Hadith from Sahih Muslim
1) When the companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammed Sallalaahu Alahi wasallam were there in his presence they could ponder over heaven and hell as if it were right in front of their eyes, but when they left his company to go for business, or attend their family affairs the effect would go away, nearness to the Holy Prophet Muhammed Sallalaahu Alahi wasallam has such a big effect on a Muslim, the same also pertains to other servants of Allah who are lesser in status like the Awliya , who derived their spiritual guidance through the nearness to the Holy Prophet Muhammed Sallalaahu Alahi wasallam, nearness to them and visiting them has a huge effect on Imaan.
2) All acts which bring you closer to him and help you maintain a Qalbi roohani attachment to him also bring benefit
3) One must not always be engrossed in worship and should also attain to his work and family affairs.
Tanveer Pasha