Saww Al-Zann Fi Ma'asay Al-Muslimeen

Sometimes, as we seek forgiveness, one of us may ask: (What are the sins I am seeking forgiveness for? I am generally upright and far from major sins). Among the most dangerous sins we forget are the major sins of the heart, chief among them: having a bad opinion of Allah the Almighty! This major sin of the heart increases in danger in our days when we witness the tragedies of Muslims, and we assume we are powerless to help them, turning our pain into despair in our hearts and doubts that shake our faith. To understand its danger, look at the words of the Prophet (peace be upon him): (No one of you dies except while having a good opinion of Allah the Almighty) (narrated by Muslim). Does this mean that if the Angel of Death comes to take your soul, you can tell him (Delay me until I have a good opinion of my Lord)? Of course not. Therefore, the meaning is that you should maintain a good opinion of Allah the Almighty at every moment so that death does not find you in any other state. Imagine that you have a bad opinion of Allah the Almighty in your heart. Can you postpone treating it until you finish reading the interpretation of a surah, let alone being distracted by worldly matters? No! Instead, you must treat it immediately. This is a disease whose treatment cannot be delayed for even a moment. So what should I do? Know its causes and treat them. This is a big topic, but I will say briefly: the reasons for the spread of having a bad opinion of Allah the Almighty: 1. Sins: When we are tempted to commit a sin, we may perform a calculation: (One small sin is outweighed by ten good deeds)! And we forget that the most dangerous effect of sins is that they corrupt the soul: (Successful is he who purifies it (9) and failed is he who corrupts it), meaning he lowers it and degrades it from the ranks of guidance, for it then becomes a breeding ground for major sins of the heart. Therefore, Allah the Almighty said: (So let those who oppose His command beware lest a trial afflicts them or a painful punishment strikes them), and among the worst trials are major sins of the heart such as having a bad opinion. 2. Our upbringing is flawed: Many of us were raised to expect rewards for good deeds in this world, and we were not taught to humble ourselves before Allah the Almighty and to know that He is above being questioned about what He does, and to sacrifice for His sake, and that this world is a place of trial, and we are not satisfied with the Hereafter as a reward nor with the comfort of the heart in this world. We forget the words of the Prophet (peace be upon him): (And the most miserable of people in this world will be brought forth from among the people of Paradise, and he will be dyed with a dye in Paradise, and it will be said to him: O son of Adam, did you ever see misery? Did any hardship ever befall you? He will say: By Allah, my Lord, I never saw misery nor did any hardship ever befall me!) (narrated by Muslim). It is astonishing that we have a bad opinion when we see their trials, while they themselves are patient, for Allah has granted them patience just as He granted them the trial. And yet, we have a bad opinion because of them! The treatments: 1. Abandoning sins by remembering their temptation to the heart 2. Seeking forgiveness: One may say: (But a person seeks forgiveness for a sin he has committed and then leaves it, while the bad opinion remains in my chest), so we say: Rather, you seek forgiveness for two reasons: to defend against this major sin of the heart and to seek help from Allah in it, and to rid yourself of its sin first and foremost. 3. The certainty that Allah the Almighty is more merciful to His servants than you are, and occupy yourself with your duty towards those who have been afflicted and what you can do to alleviate their suffering, for this is among His blessings that Allah may settle your heart towards His decrees, and your pain for them may turn into a positive driving force instead of breaking and becoming a breeding ground for doubts as our enemies wish. And Allah the Almighty knows best.