“He likes that people are pleased with His decree”

Previously we read about patience and to be pleased with the decree of Allah Ta’ala. In this final part of a three part series, we will present some motivations from the Qur’an and Hadeeth along with some poetry and stories of the pious predecessors.

Qur’an Ayah

و من يؤمن بالله يهد قلبه

And whoever believes in Allah – He will guide his heart (At-Taghabun: 11)

‘Alqamah comments on this verse, “This is about the calamity which afflicts a person. The person understands that this is from Allah so he accepts it and is pleased with it.”

 

Hadeeth

Allah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه و سلم said: “I am amazed at the believer who, when faced with a difficulty, hopes for reward and bears it patiently and when good befalls him, he praises Allah and expresses gratitude, the believer will be rewarded for his every deed, even for that morsel of food which he places in his mouth.” (Baihaqi)

 

Story

Abdullah bin Umar’s رضي الله عنه son became ill. This affected Sayyiduna Abdullah رضي الله عنه so much that people began to say, “We fear that this old man is going to be adversely affected (out of worry) for his son.”

His son passed away.  When Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنهم came for the Janaazah, people saw that he was very happy. Someone asked him about this.

Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنه  replied, “My extreme worry was only out of compassion for my son, but now that the Decree of Allah Ta’ala has come to pass, I will be pleased with it.

 

Imam Maalik narrates that Abu Dardaa رضي الله عنه visited a person who, whilst in the throes of death, was praising Allah Ta’ala. Abu Dardaa رضي الله عنه said, “What you are doing is good. When Allah decrees something, He likes that people are pleased with it.”

 

Sayings of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors)

‘Abbaad ibn Mansur narrates that Hasan Bisri was once asked about Tawakkul. He replied, “To be please with the decree of Allah.”

 

Muhammad ibn Ishaaq narrates that a scholar was asked, “How do those people who are always pleased with the decree of Allah reach that level?” He replied, “Through Ma’rifah (recognition). Being pleased with whatever has been decreed is one of the many things that come alongside Ma’rifah.”

 

Abdullah Al-Barathi said, “Whoever has been gifted with the ability to be pleased with the decree of Allah Ta’ala has reached the most virtuous stage.”

 

A Persian couplet

زندہ کنی ‘عطائے تو ور بکشی فداۓ تو ، دل شدہ مبتلاۓ تو ہر چہ کنی رضائے تو

O Allah! It is Your sheer grace if you spare my life and if You wish to take it away, then too I will sacrifice for You.

I have now become infatuated with Your love. Thus, I will be pleased with Your decisions over me in all conditions.

 

Du’a

اللَّهُمَّ رَضِّنِي بِمَا قَضَيْتَ لِي ، وَعَافِنِي فِيمَا أَبْقَيْتَ حَتَّى لا أُحِبَّ تَعْجِيلَ مَا أَخَّرْتَ ، وَلا تَأْخِيرَ مَا عَجَّلْتَ

O Allah, make me pleased with what you have decreed for me, and grant me security with what you have left for me. So-much-so that I don’t wish for the hastening of something you have deferred, or for the delaying of something you have hastened.

 

Adapted from Ibn Abi d-Dunya’s compilation ‘Al-Ridaa ‘AnIllah’ (Being pleased with the decree of Allah)