The Essence of Belief and Certainty

“During one of the journeys of the Messenger of Allah a group of people who were riding came to meet him. They said, ‘Salute to you O Messenger of Allah.’ He asked, ‘Who are you?’ They replied, ‘We are believers, O Messenger of Allah.’ He then asked, ‘What is the essence of your belief?’ They replied, ‘It is to agree with the decision of Allah, allow Him be the person in charge of one’s affairs and submit to the command of Allah.’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘They are scholars and people of wisdom who for their wisdom can almost be prophets. If what you say is true then do not build that which you do not use as dwelling, do not accumulate what you do not eat and be pious before Allah to whom you will return.’”

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Once the Messenger of Allah after leading the morningprayer for the people looked at a young man in the Mosque whose head hung down. He looked pale and slim and his eyes sunk into his head. The Messenger of Allah asked, ‘O so and so, how is your morning?’ He (the young man) replied, ‘This morning, I, O Messenger of Allah, am in a condition of certainty. The messenger of Allah admired him for his words and he said, ‘For everything there is an essence. What is the essence of your certainty?’ The young man said, ‘My certainty, O Messenger of Allah, is that which has made me depressed. It has kept me awake all night and to endure thirst during the day. My soul is withdrawn from the world and the things in it, so much so, as if I am looking at the Throne of my Lord that is established to call everyone to Judgment, all creatures are resurrected and I am among them. It is as if I am looking at the people of paradise who enjoy therein being introduced to each other while leaning against raised couches. It is also as if I am looking at the people of hell wherein they suffer and cry for help. Right now, it is as if I hear the roaring of the fire. It is striking against my ears.’ The Messenger of Allah said to his companions, ‘This is a servant of Allah whose heart He has brightened up with belief.’ He (the Messenger of Allah) said to him (the young man), ‘Keep up with what you are in (condition of your belief).’ The young man said, ‘Pray to Allah for me, O Messenger of Allah, to grant me martyrdom (while working hard in support of your cause) along with you.’ The Messenger of Allah prayed for him. Not very long thereafter he joined the prophet in an armed expedition and he was the tenth man to become a martyr.’”

‘‘The Messenger of Allah once met Harithah ibn Malik al- Nu’man al-Ansari and asked him, ‘How are you, O Harithah ibn Malik?’ He replied, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I am a believer in a real sense.’ The Messenger of Allah then asked, ‘Everything has a reality and essence. What are the reality and essence of your words?’ “He replied, ‘O Messenger of Allah, my soul has withdrawn from this world; it has kept me awake all night and to endure thirst in the middle of the day. It is as if I am looking to the Throne of my Lord that is established to bring all people to account. It is as if I am looking at the people of paradise who are visiting each other and I hear the barking of the people of hell therefrom.’ The Messenger of Allah, then said, ‘He is a servant whose heart is brightened (by the command of) Allah. You have reached (true) understanding, remain steadfast.’ He then asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, pray to Allah for me to grant me martyrdom (while working hard to support your cause) along with you.’ The Messenger of Allah prayed, ‘O Allah, grant him martyrdom.’ Within very few days thereafter, he (the messenger of Allah) dispatched a group of people for an armed expedition and Harithah was among them. He (Harithah) fought the enemy and did away with eight or nine people before he became a martyr. “In the narration of al-Qasim from his father from abu Basir it is said that Harithah was martyred in the army of Ja’far ibn abu Talib after the martyrdom of nine people.”

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Over every truth there certainly is a reality and over every correct issue there is light.’”