The Bitter Consequences of Sins

It  is essential to know that sins and acts of disobedience are,  necessarily, very harmful. Their harmful effects upon the heart are  akin to the harmful effects of poison upon the body, though the effects  vary in their levels and intensities. So is there any evil or harm in  this world, or in the Hereafter, except that it is due to sins and  disobedience?

So what was it that expelled the  two parents [i.e. Adam and Eve] from Paradise; the home of delight,  bliss, splendor and joy; to the home of pain, sorrow and misfortune?

What was it that expelled Iblees [i.e. Satan] from the heavenly realms,  causing him to be rejected and cursed; transforming him both inwardly  and outwardly, so that his form became ugly and hideous – his inner  form more hideous than his outer – replacing his nearness with  remoteness, mercy with curse, his beauty with ugliness, from being in  Paradise to being in the blazing Fire, from having faith to being an  unbeliever, from having the patronage and friendship of Allah, the  Praiseworthy Guardian, to being the greatest enemy and opponent, from  glorifying and praising Him to committing acts of unbelief, shirk,  lies, deception and shamelessness, from being adorned with faith to  being clothed in the garment of unbelief, sinfulness and disobedience,  causing him to reach the deepest depths of despicability, plunging down  in the sight of Allah as far as it is possible to plunge; causing the  anger of Allah the Exalted to be upon him, making him an outcast –  despised and humiliated – so that he became a leader for every sinner  and criminal, becoming pleased with leadership for himself, after  having reached the station of worship and nobility?

O Allaah, we seek refuge in You from opposing Your command and falling  into what You have forbidden.

What was it that caused the people of the  earth to drown, to the extent that the water rose above even the  mountaintops?

What was it that caused the violent winds to overcome the  people of ‘Aad, such that it flung them down dead upon the face of the  earth – as if they were lopped-off palm trunks – and it destroyed  whatever dwellings and crops it came across, thus making them an  example for nations until the Day of Resurrection?

What was it that caused the piercing shrieks to be set loose upon the  Thamood people, such that their hearts were severed within their very  bodies, by which they all perished?

What was it that caused the town of  the homosexuals to be raised­ up and turned upside down, such that they  were all destroyed? Then stones from the sky pelted down upon them so  that they suffered a combined punishment, the like of which was not  given to any other nation! And for their brothers will be its like; and  it is not far off from the transgressors!

What was it that caused the  clouds of punishment to overcome the people of Shu’ayb, such that when  these clouds were above their heads it rained scorching fire upon them?

What was it that caused the Pharaoh and his people to be drowned in the  ocean, and caused their souls to be transported to the Hellfire, so  their bodies drowned and their souls burned?

What was it that caused Qaaroon, his dwelling, wealth and family to  sink down into the earth?

What was it that caused the destruction of  those generations after Noah, and how they were afflicted with various  punishments that caused their annihilation?

What was it that caused the  destruction of the companions of Yaa Seen, with the clamorous shout,  which destroyed them?

What caused there to be sent against the Children of Israa’eel enemies of great strength and might, plundering their homes, killing their men,  enslaving their women and children, burning their dwellings, seizing  their wealth, and then returning again a second time, destroying what  was rebuilt after the first onslaught? What was it that caused the  various types of punishments to be set loose upon the Children of  Israa’eel?

Killing them, enslaving them, destroying their land and at times  causing them to be oppressed by kings, whilst at another time causing  them to be transformed into apes and swines – and finally the Lord took  an oath that: “He would certainly keep on sending against them,  until the Day of Resurrection, those who will inflict them with a  humiliating torment.” [Surah al-A’raaf 7:167]

Imam Ahmad said: “al-Waleed ibn Muslim related to us; that Safwaan ibn  ’Amr related to us; that ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Jubayr ibn Nufayr related;  from his father, who said: “When Cyprus was conquered and its people were dispersed and they started weeping to each other, I saw  Abu-Dardaa sitting alone and weeping. So I said to him: “O Abu-Dardaa!  What makes you weep on this day that Allah has granted strength and  honor to Islam and its people?””

So he said: “Woe be to you 0 Jubayr! How insignificant the creation  becomes to Allah when they turn away from His command. In front of us  is a nation who were evidently powerful and who had dominion, yet they  abandoned Allah’s command, so look what has become of them.”” [Imaam  Ahmad in az-Zuhd]

‘Alee ibn  al-Ja’d said: “Shu’bah ibn ‘Amr ibn Murrah informed us; I heard  Abul-Bukhtaree say: “I was informed by someone, who heard the Prophet  (SAW) saying: “The people will not perish, until they have no excuse  left for themselves.”” [Ahmad]

Imaam Ahmad  reports in his Musnad, from the hadeeth of Umm Salamah, who said: I  heard Allaah’s Messenger (SAW) saying: “When acts of disobedience  become widespread in my ummah, then Allah may send punishment upon  them all from Himself.” So I said: O Allah’s Messenger! Even if there  are righteous people amongst them that day? So he replied: “Indeed!” So  I said: How will that be? He replied: “They will be afflicted with what  afflicts the people, then they will move on to the forgiveness of  Allah and His good pleasure.” [Ahmad]

– Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyyah