I will tell you about something which is neither a part of imagination nor a claim without evidence. Rather, it is a real life story whose hero enjoys unmatchable morals and a resplendent biography. The fragrance of his life diffused because he honored the sacred Ordinances of His Lord. Therefore, Allah The Almighty Exalted his degree. He is Ibn Seereen . It is narrated that he said, "I never had sex with a woman either while awake or sleeping but with Umm ‘Abdullaah (his wife)." "Whenever I see a woman in a dream and realize that she is not lawful to me, I turn my eyes from her." [Taareekh Dimishq by Ibn ‘Asaakir]
We have yet another star, ‘Ali ibn Al-Husayn who gave a wonderful example in honoring the sacred Ordinances of Allah. It is narrated that whenever he performed ablution, his face would turn pale. When his family asked him about the reason, he said: “Do you know between Whose Hands I will stand?” (meaning Allah The Almighty)? [Sifat As-Safwah by Ibn Al-Jawzi]
Honoring the sacred Ordinances of Allah
The question which rises now -- and perhaps some of you extracted the answer from the introduction -- is how did such people and many others reach this degree of fearing Allah The Almighty and humbleness to Him? The answer is not difficult and the road is not impossible to be attained. Rather, it is easy for those for whom Allah The Almighty made it easy. You will find the answer in one definite verse in the Quran: Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {That [has been commanded], and whoever honors the sacred Ordinances of Allah - it is best for him in the Sight of his Lord.} [Quran 22: 30]
The true believer honors the sacred Ordinances of Allah, is in awe of Him, surrenders to His Majesty and respects His Jealousy when His sacred Ordinances are violated. In a Hadeeth (narration), the Prophet said to the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them: "Are you surprised at Sa‘d's jealousy? By Allah, I am more jealous than he, and Allah is more Jealous than me. Because He is Jealous, He forbade immorality -- what is apparent of them and what is concealed." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {That [has been commanded], and whoever honors the sacred ordinances of Allah - it is best for him in the Sight of his Lord.} [Quran 22: 30]
Commenting on the verse, Ibn Katheer said, "Whoever avoids disobeying Him and does not transgress that which is sacred, and regards committing sin as a very serious matter, will attain much good and a great reward for doing that. Just as the one who does acts of obedience will earn a great reward, so too, the one who avoids sin will earn a great reward." [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
When honoring the sacred Ordinances of Allah was firmly established in their hearts, their hearts became pure and their souls became sublime. Exalting Allah The Almighty necessitates honoring His sacred Ordinances which include everything that must be respected, safeguarded and cared for. This includes everything that Allah The Almighty commanded to be exalted and performed. Honoring the sacred Ordinances of Allah means knowing that they are obligatory, bearing testimony to this and fulfilling the relevant rights.
Renew your faith
Here we stop and ask: does not every one of us want to boost the degree of faith in his heart? Does not every one of us suffer from sins and look for the remedy? Undoubtedly, all of us suffer from the same problem. The successful and effective solution is in this dose of remedy. Honoring the sacred Ordinances of Allah is one of the means which renews faith in the hearts. In the Quran, Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {That [is so]. And whoever honors the sacred Ordinances of Allah - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.} [Quran 22: 32]
The sacred Ordinances of Allah mean the rights of Allah The Almighty. This is achieved when one fulfills the commands of His Lord and avoids what is made prohibited by Allah The Almighty. Therefore, the Prophet was careful to build a strong barrier between us and sins. In a Hadeeth (narration), he warned us saying: "Beware of sins that are seen as insignificant, for they will keep accumulating until they destroy a man." [Al-Albaani: Saheeh]
The Messenger of Allah explained this by comparing them to people who stop to camp in the wilderness and decide to build a fire, so one man goes out and brings back a stick, and another man brings a stick, until they have gathered enough, then they light a fire and cook whatever they throw onto it.
The way of salvation
Undoubtedly we know that the danger of violating the sacred Ordinances of Allah The Almighty is a very serious matter. Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, taught us about this the day he said,
O doer of sins, you are not safe from the bad consequences of your sin. The consequences of your sin are greater than the sin itself. When you are not bashful of the guarding angels on your right and left as you commit the sin, this is greater than the sin itself. When you laugh while you do not know what will be done with you, this is greater than the sin itself. When you feel joy for committing a sin, this is greater than the sin itself. When you do not feel sad for committing the sin, this is greater than the sin itself. When you are afraid that the wind removes the curtain on your door while you are committing the sin and your heart is not disturbed because Allah is Watching you, this is greater than the sin itself. [Al-Jawaab Al-Kaaafi by Ibn Al-Qayyim]
Consequently, the way that one should resort to in order to attain this position, honoring the sacred Ordinances of Allah, is that one appraises Allah The Almighty with true appraisal and becomes acquainted with His greatness as well as the signs of His omnipotence. Then he should resort to the way of piety and seek the characteristics of the pious people.
Honoring the Ordinances… Even While Sleeping - II