Weeping From the Fear of Allah

“Has not the Time arrived for the Believers that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance of Allah and of the Truth which has been revealed (to them), and that they should not become like those to whom was given Revelation aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them are rebellious transgressors.” (Surah Al Hadid 57:16)

“Allah has revealed (from time to time) the most beautiful Message in the form of a Book, consistent with itself, (yet) repeating (its teaching in various aspects): the skins of those who fear their Lord tremble thereat; then their skins and their hearts do soften to the celebration of Allah’s praises. Such is the guidance of Allah: He guides therewith whom He pleases, but such as Allah leaves to stray, can have none to guide.” (Surah Al Zumar 39:23)

He mentioned in the Quran the promise and the threat, and made clear that His believing servants are fearful and shivering from the punishment of their Lord. Our Lord the Exalted elucidated to us that the believer, whenever his iman strengthens and his certainty increases, becomes more fearful of Allah.

Weeping of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), said to `Abdullah ibn Masood, “Read to me the Quran.” He said, “O Messenger of Allah! Should I recite to you and it was revealed to you?” He said, “Yes, for I like to hear it from others.” “I recited Surah Al-Nisa’ until I reached the ayah,

“How then if We brought from each people a witness, and We brought thee (O Muhammad) as a witness against these people!” (Surah Al-Nisa’ 4:41)

He then said, “Stop now.” I found that his eyes were tearful.” [Fath al-Bari 8:712]
Abdullah ibn ash-Shikhkheer (RA), said: “I saw the Messenger of Allah (SAW), praying with us, and I heard the sound of his weeping coming out of his chest, which was like the sound of a boiling pot.” (Abu Dawood, An-Nasaa’i, and At-Tirmidhi in ash-Shama’il, authenticated by Ibn Khuzaymah, Ibn Hibban and Al-Hakim)

Weeping of Abu Bakr (RA)

`Aisha said, “During his illness, the Messenger of Allah (SAW), said: ‘Order Abu Bakr to lead the prayer.’ I told the Messenger of Allah (SAW), that, ‘Indeed, if Abu Bakr stands in your place the people will not be able to hear him due to his (excessive) weeping.'” (Al Bukhari)

Our weeping

The righteous have cried, the worshippers have cried and the believers have cried. And in this time there are people by whom a complete year passes and they do not drop a single tear from the fear of Allah.

O Allah we seek refuge with you from hard hearts. O Allah soften our hearts to Your remembrance!

“Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah), and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah: For without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.” (Surah Al Ra’d 13:28)

“For, Believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts, and when they hear His signs (Quran) rehearsed, find their faith strengthened, and put (all) their trust in their Lord (alone);” (Surah Al Anfal 8:2)

So why do we not cry today? We do not cry from the strength of the hardness of our hearts and our hearts’ attachment to this world. So our hearts have hardened and our eyes have dried.

We are distant from our Lord. Had we been close our hearts would not have hardened. So he, who spends a whole week without his eye dropping a tear, let him sit and supplicate and humble himself. Maybe his heart would soften and his eye would drop a tear. And if his heart doesn’t drop a tear, then let him open the Book of Allah and read its ayat with contemplation, humility and submissiveness. So if his eye cries, his heart fears and his soul humbles he has succeeded; and if he continues in the state of the hardened heart, let him sit in a dark room and weep over his state, for his heart has died.

 

Courtesy Of: www.islaam.com
Based on a lecture “Al-Khawf min Allah” by Shaikh Waheed `Abdussalam Baali