Fear & Hope In A Haji's Heart

Some people say in the West that “when hope enters, fear flies out of the window” because they do not believe the two sentiments can exist together in a person’s heart.

Muslims, on the other hand, are taught that they must have the two emotions present at all times: the fear (al-Khauf) of Almighty Allah and of His displeasure and the hope (ar-Raja’) for His blessing.

When somebody goes on Haj or offers any acts of obedience, her or his main concern should be whether the deed has been accepted or not. That she is able to offer an act of obedience is a great blessing in itself; if Allah the Exalted accepts the good deed, then it is a far greater blessing. Pilgrims exert exhausting efforts to offer the rites of Haj – many of them risk their lives – but what a loss it would be if Allah did not accept them.

Are there ways that may render our worship, our acts of obedience including the Haj pilgrimage, acceptable to Almighty Allah?

Think nothing of them

How much have we done? Never would it be nearly enough. Muslims are taught to never take pride in their good deeds because no matter how many acts of obedience they offer, they would never be equal to the ample blessings that Allah the Exalted bestows on them. Never shall they be able to express the gratitude that befits all the bounties that Allah the Exalted confers on them. Never shall they be able to observe all the duties that they owe to Almighty Allah.

Allah the Exalted says to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), “O thou enveloped in thy cloak, arise and warn! Thy Lord magnify, thy raiment purify, and all abomination shun! Nor expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself )!” (Qur'an Al-Mudatsir: 1-6)

Explaining the last verse, Al-Hassan Al-Basri, an eminent scholar of the Tabi’in generation said that it warns the Prophet against regarding what he offered of acts of obedience as great and ample.

Fear of rejection

Always be concerned about whether the acts that we offer will be accepted or not. Righteous predecessors, knowing that they would return to their Lord, used to be very afraid that the good deeds they offered in this world might not be accepted.

Allah Almighty says, “And those who give that which they give with hearts afraid because they are about to return unto their Lord, these race for the good things, and they shall win them in the race.” (Qur'an Al- Mu’minun: 60–61)

The Prophet said the verse refers to the pious persons who pray, fast, and give charity, and yet are extremely afraid that these acts may not be accepted from them.

Hope springs eternal

Simultaneously, one must hope that Almighty Allah accepts one’s deeds. One needs to combine in one’s heart both fear and hope.

Fear alone may lead one to despair of Allah’s mercy, while thinking that Allah the Exalted will surely accept one’s deeds may lead to overconfidence that one’s safe is from the hellfire. Rasulullah (SAW) taught Muslims to never also never think that one’s safe from Allah’s fire.

Allowing both fear and hope to grow in one’s heart helps one to be humble while increasing one’s faith and submission to Allah. Prophet Ibrahim and his son Prophet Ismail (peace and blessings be upon both of them) would pray Almighty Allah to accept their deeds. This is referred to in Almighty Allah’s words, “And when Ibrahim and Ismail were raising the foundations of the House, (Ibrahim prayed): Our Lord! Accept from us (this duty). Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Hearer, the Knower.” (Qur'an Al- Baqarah: 127)

Beg forgiveness
Ask Allah for forgiveness every now and then. However earnest you may be in doing your best in offering acts of obedience, there will always be something missing, for no one is perfect. Hence, Almighty Allah directs His worshipers to compensate for this inevitable shortcoming by always beseeching Him to forgive them after offering acts of worship. That is why He Most High says after mentioning the rituals of Haj, “Then pass on at a quick pace from the place whence it is usual for the multitude so to do, and ask for Allah’s forgiveness. For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur'an Al-Baqarah:199)

Almighty Allah also ordered Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to conclude his life—which was full of acts of worship and striving in His cause— with asking Him Most High for forgiveness. “When comes the Help of Allah, and Victory, and thou dost see the People enter Allah’s Religion in crowds, celebrate the Praises of thy Lord, and pray for His Forgiveness: for He is Oft-Returning (in Grace and Mercy).” (Qur'an An-Nasr: 1–3)

Give the utmost

Seek to offer as many good deeds as you can. Good deeds are like a tree that needs watering and care so that it bears fruits. It is a sign of your good deed being accepted that you offer extra good deeds. In fact, it is a great bounty from Almighty Allah that He enables a person to offer further good deeds. This is Allah’s way of drawing a person closer to Him Most High.

It benefits the believers to know some examples set by the Prophet’s Companions in this regard, and to know also the significance and merit of regular observance of good deeds, as well as the benefits and rewards they may get in this connection.