Episode 34 - Dangers of Sins

Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah Dear brothers, sometimes we become lenient with sins, especially minor ones, thinking that we compensate for them with much good, especially if our acts of worship are great and benefit Muslims, such as jihad or intellectual awareness and spreading the correct creed. We feel that we have a balance with Allah that we can draw from!

Here come verses to make us look at the matter differently: that the public good we do is an honor from Allah that He chose us for it while depriving others of it. This honor is not deserved by those who neglect Allah's command and prohibition. If we become indifferent to sins, we may be deprived of this honor.

Where do we find this meaning in the Noble Quran? Allah says: ((Indeed, those of you who turned back on the day the two armies met - it was Satan who caused them to slip because of some [sins] they had earned.)) This verse warns some of the Companions about the reason for their deprivation of the honor of steadfastness in the Battle of Uhud: they had committed sins in their days of ease that deprived them of Allah's steadfastness in this great situation. But Allah, in His mercy, said afterward: ((And Allah has already pardoned them, for Allah is Forgiving and Forbearing (155)) (Al-Imran).

We also find this meaning in His saying about a completely different group, the hypocrites: ((And if they had intended to go forth, they would have prepared for it [in a right way]. But Allah disliked their being sent forth, so He kept them back and it was said, "Remain with those who remain.") Allah disliked the hypocrites' going out for jihad because of their hidden and practical sins, so He deprived them of the honor of jihad in His cause. ((And their saying was not but that they said, "Our Lord, forgive us our sins and excess [in sin] and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people.")

Therefore, my brother, if you are standing at a front of good deeds that benefit people and please Allah, then beware of drawing from your balance with Allah, and do not boast to Islam about what you offer in service to it... but remember that what you are in is an honor that you may be deprived of by your disobedience. Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.