Islam is the Deen of Fitrah (pure nature)

Hanzalah Al-Usayyidi (Radiallahu Anhu) who was one of the scribes of Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alahi wasallam), reported:

I met Abu Bakr (Radiallahu Anhu) he said: “How are you O Hanzalah?”

I said, “Hanzalah has become a hypocrite”.

He said, “Far removed is Allah from every imperfection, what are you saying?”

I said, “When we are in the company of Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alahi wasallam) and he reminds us of Hell-fire and Jannah, we feel as if we are seeing them with our very eyes, and when we are away from Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alahi wasallam), we attend to our wives, our children, our business, most of these things (pertaining to life hereafter) slip out of our minds.”

Abu Bakr (Radiallahu Anhu) said, “By Allah, I also experience the same thing”.

So Abu Bakr (Radiallahu Anhu) and I went to Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alahi wasallam) and I said to him, “O Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alahi wasallam), Hanzalah has turned hypocrite.”

Thereupon Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alahi wasallam) said, “What has happened to you?”

I said, “O Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alahi wasallam), when we are in your company, and are reminded of Hell-fire and Jannah, we feel as if we are seeing them with our own eyes, but when we go away from you and attend to our wives, children and business, much of these things go out of our minds.”

Thereupon Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alahi wasallam) 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 roads; but Hanzalah, time should be devoted (to the worldly affairs) and time should be devoted (to prayer)”.

He (Sallallahu ‘alahi wasallam) said this thrice.

[Riyad-us-Saliheen, The Book of Miscellany, Chapter 14 Moderation in Worship, Hadith Number 151]

This Hadith also tells us about the continence and piety of the Companions of Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘alahi wasallam) with reference to the natural instinct of man to think differently in different situations. This condition has nothing to do with Nifaq (hypocrisy). Islam is the Deen of Fitrah (pure nature) and takes the middle course in everything, and combines the benefits of this world and those of the Hereafter. It also satisfies the needs of the body as well as that of the soul.