بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Nafsiya Reflections: Tears Worth More than Gold
[وَإِذَا سَمِعُوا۟ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ تَرَىٰٓ أَعْيُنَهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ ٱلدَّمْعِ مِمَّا عَرَفُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ ۖ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱكْتُبْنَا مَعَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ]
And when they hear what has been revealed to this Messenger, thou seest their eyes overflow with tears, because of the truth which they have recognized. They say, ‘Our Lord, we believe, so write us down among those who bear witness. (5:83)
This is also a way to express situations of joy and pleasure of humans. The Almighty Allah also said about crying in The Holy Quran. The prophet (saw) also cried for the expressions of reverence and fear of Allah... in perhaps the sort of cry that will be granted to the Muslims, will be shade in the shadow of Allah on the judgment day when there’s no shade but His.
As for us Muslims, there is a cry that is different than any other cry. It isn’t a part of getting lost in hardship. It isn’t about anything that has to do with Dunya, from happy moments to sad ones. This cry is worth so much more than just an expression.
It is the cry for the sake of Allah (swt).
Abu Rayhaana said: We went on an expedition with Allah’s Messenger (saw) and I heard him say:
«حرمت النار على عين دمعت من خشية الله، حرمت النار على عين سهرت في سبيل الله ونسيت الثالثة وسمعت بعد أنه قال حرمت النار على عين غضت عن محارم الله»
“The fire is forbidden to the eye which weeps from the fear of Allah, stays awake in the path of Allah (Jihad) and I forgot the third, but afterwards I heard that he said ‘the eye which lowered its gaze from that which Allah has forbidden to see.”
Can you imagine! Crying for the sake of Allah (swt) makes us of those who don't come close to the fire on the day of resurrection! A reward many pray to have!
When we cry for the sake of Allah (swt), out of fearing Him (swt)! Crying because of how merciful He is; because of how much love He has for us and how much we have for him! A cry when repenting from a sin we have committed, out of fear and love for Him, GIVES US PARADISE!
Subhan Allah, the merciful!
Even though society looks at this action as a part of weakness, it is actually an act of humility and modesty! Our prophet Muhammad (swt) was found crying many times! Narrated by ‘Abd Allah b. Shakheer (ra) who said:
«أتيت رسول االله وهو يصلي ولجوفه أزيز كأزيز المرجل من البكاء»
“I came to the Messenger of Allah (saw) when he was performing prayers. He was sobbing and his chest sounded like a boiling kettle.” (Abu Dawud, at-Tirmizi)
Abu Bakr was also known to weep for the sake of Allah! Ibn ‘Umar (ra) narrated that when the pain of the Messenger of Allah (saw) increased, he was asked about who would lead the prayer. He said:
«مروا أبا بكر فليصل بالناس، قالت عائشة إن أبا بكر رجل رقيق إذا قرأ غلبه البكاء ... »
“Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in the prayer.” 'Ayisha said, “Abu Bakr is a soft-hearted man and he would be over-powered by his weeping.” (Bukhari)
The amazing Sahabah and our Beloved Prophet (saw) showed humility! Incredible! To show humility to Allah (swt) is loved by Him (swt) and in return you earn that amazing reward we are all yearning for!
DON’T BE SCARED TO CRY! Cry! For the love we have for Him (swt) and the sins we have committed! The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: «طوبى لمن ملك نفسه، ووسعه بيته، وبكى على خطيئته» “Blessed is the one who controlled himself, his house accommodated him and wept for his sins.” (Reported by at-Tabaraani who declared it hasan)
Go as far as to make yourself cry! For this reward is not something to shy away from! For it was Narrated by Ibn Abu Mulaykah; we sat with ‘Abd Allah b. ‘Amr in Hijr who said:
«ابكوا فإن لم تجدوا بكاء فتباكوا، لو تعلمون العلم لصلى أحدكم حتى ينكسر ظهره، ولبكى حتى ينقطع صوته»
“Weep, and if you cannot weep, then pretend to weep (out of fear of Allah) I swear by Him in whose hand my life is that if any of you really knew, you would plead until your voice went, and pray until your back was broken.”
So go for it! Cry it out! And when we face hardship, we can also take advantage of it and cry, directing our tears for Allah (swt)... to think of his mercy, of his love, and his forgivness! To keep Him (swt) a part of our minds and hearts and reminding ourselves that we are grateful to be servants to Allah (swt)! The Merciful! The Almighty! The Generous!
Cry tears that are worth more than gold!
May Allah (swt) make us be of those who are lucky enough to cry for His (swt)’s sake! Ameen!
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