The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said:
"On the Day of Judgement there would be people whose good deeds will be as heavy as the mountains of Tahama. Inspite of this it would be ordered that they be tossed into the fire of Hell."
Upon this someone said, "O! the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s.), were these people performing salaat (prayers)?",
"Yes, they used to pray, and fast, and also spend a part of the night in worship. But, whenever they chanced upon something which gave them pleasure, they used to rush to it without thinking whether it was right or wrong."
Not Giving the Rights of the People
A Barrier for the Acceptance of Good Deeds
Seventh Tradition
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said:
"I have been commanded by Allah to warn my people and say, 'Do not go from one mosque to another while someones rights are upon you. If such a person stands up for prayers in that condition, I send my curses upon him till he restores the rights to its owner." (Iddatud-Dai page 236)
Eighth Tradition
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said,
"There is an angel of Allah who raises the call every night from 'Baitul Muqaddas': "Whoever partakes of the prohibited things, Allah does not accept any of his deeds be they obligatory or recommended."
(Iddatud-Dai)
Good Deeds are Accepted Only if Accompanied by Piety.
(Abstinence From the Prohibited Things)
Ninth Tradition
"Even if you stand for prayers like a tent peg planted on the ground and keep fasting till you resemble a dried stick and stoop like a bow, Allah will not accept any of your deeds till you have the piety to guard against the evil deeds."
(Iddatud-Dai)
Sin is a Barrier to the Acceptance of Invocation (Dua)
Tenth Tradition
Hazrat Musa (a.s.) passed by a person from his followers who was in prostration. After completing his chore Musa (a.s.) returned to find him still in prostration. He said, "If I had the vigor to grant your wish I would surely have granted it." Allahdisclosed to Musa (a.s.) that, "Even if this man prostrates for Me till his head gets detached from his neck, I will not accept his deeds, till he abstains from that which I dislike and does that which pleases Me. Otherwise sin hinders the supplications from acceptance."
(pg. 125 ibid)
Refraining From Sins is Genuine Worship
Eleventh Tradition
"Abstaining from sins is the basis of religion. Hence, refrain from sins in order to become the most pious worshipper. Adorn yourself with piety. Do not perform a single good deed without piety. Surely that deed is most acceptable by Allah which is accompanied by piety, even though it may be trifle. As Allah says, "Allah accepts the good deeds only from the pious people."
(Iddatud-Dai)
Hence if you succeed in remaining aloof from sins, then even if your good deeds are paltry, they would be accepted by the Lord. And when the Lord of the Worlds accepts a deed it cannot be termed as trifle or paltry.
Avoidance of Sins is a Must:
Considering the tradition quoted above one is compelled to conclude that it is necessary to dread sinful acts and to be ever cautious of the vices. Only then are the good actions of any consequences. The good deeds must also be performed in such a manner that we strive to emulate as closely as possible the examples set by the high ideals of our Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). It should not be that good actions are rendered null and void due to sins. It is necessary to be cautious of such an impending loss and disaster for which we ourselves would be responsible.
Good Actions Could Be Blown Away Like Dust
Sulaiman bin Khalid says; " I asked Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) regarding the Quranic verse
(And We will proceed to what they have done of deeds, so We shall render them as scattered floating dust.
(Surah Furqan 25:23)
He said,
"By Allah, even if their deeds are as white as Egyptian cotton, but if they find sin and lewdness they do not abstain from it."
(Iddatud-Dai)
In other words, their good deeds are scattered like dust due to the lack of piety, and hence are of no value at all. Allama Majlisi (r.a.) writes in the explanation of this tradition, "Worship and obedience is rendered null due to sin."
A Large Number of Pious People Will Enter Paradise
Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said,
"Allah revealed to Hazrat Musa (a.s.), "Verily, My slave cannot achieve nearness to Me without the three things which I like." Musa (a.s.) asked with reverance, "My Lord what are those three things?" Allah replied, "O! Musa those three things are: To practice piety in this world, to abstain from sins and to weep due to fear." Musa (a.s.) asked, "Does one who fulfills the three things gets compensation and reward?" Allah replied, "One who practices piety in this world will get Paradise. One who weeps due to My fear will be accorded such a high position that no else would be able to reach it. The deeds of all the creatures shall be accounted. But one who abstains from that which I have forbidden, then accounting of his deeds will not be carried out; he would be admitted to Heaven directly."
Abstaining From the Greater Sins Cause the Lesser Sins to be Overlooked
If one avoids the Greater Sins, the Lesser sins shall be overlooked. Allah, the Almighty, by His grace, excuses the Lesser sins. As it is mentioned in the following verse of the Holy Qur'an
"If you shun the Greater Sins which you are forbidden, We will do away with your smaller sins and cause you to enter an honourable place of entering."
(Surah Nisa 4: 31)
The Gates of Paradise are Open for the Pious
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) is reported to have said,
"I swear by Allah, in Whose power is my life, there is not a single person who prays five times a day, fasts during the month of Ramadhan and abstains from sins that the gates of Paradise will not be opened for him."
After this he recited the Qur'anic verse quoted above.
(Tafseer Minhaajus Saadeqeen)
Intercession
A person who commits a Greater Sin and does not repent for it, is a transgressor. Namaz is not allowed behind him (he cannot lead a prayer assembly). His testimony is unacceptable. After death, he is liable for Divine punishment. By the Grace of Allah such a person may yet get salvation; and the Grace of Allah that can make this possible is the intercession of Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) and his Progeny (a.s.).
As the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) says in one of his traditions:
"My intercession has been kept for the sinful among my followers."
(Behaarul Anwaar vol.3).
He (s.a.w.s.) also said,
"My intercession is specially for the sinful ones among my followers. But those who abstain from the Greater Sins, for them there is no accounting (of deeds)."
That is, they would be admitted to Paradise right away.
Intercession Should not Prompt one to Commit Sins
There is hardly any doubt regarding the reality of Shafa'at (intercession). Actually it is the right bestowed upon the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and the purified Imams (a.s.), by Allah, to show their greatness and position. The other aim of intercession is to make their respect evident. The people who have committed Greater Sins shall be entrusted to them. By the grace of their intercession the sinful people will be able to ascend the heights like other groups of people. All this is evident from the Holy Qur'an and the authentic reports. It is also clear from Mutawatir (most frequently related) traditions. It would be needless to relate all such traditions for such a short discussion.
Only one point must be stressed at this stage. Intercession should not be taken as a license for committing sins nor should it make one heedless of repentance.
Suicide in the Hope of Salvation
To sin and not to repent in the hope of intercession is akin to consuming poison or putting ones hand in the snake's mouth with the hope that a doctor would arrive and cure you. It is against logic, because after consuming poison it cannot be taken for granted that medical assistance would be available. Even if a doctor and medicines arrive on time it is still difficult to say that life would be saved. Before the medicine could have any effect the poison may spread to the whole body and death may occur.
In the same way, one who performs lewd actions in the hope that he would be interceded after death; cannot be confident that intercession will come to the rescue immediately.
Death is of Three Types
Imam Muhammad Taqi (a.s.) has related from his forefathers that Amirul Momineen Ali (a.s.) was queried by someone about death. He replied,
"You have come to the knowledgeable (personality)." "Death occurs to a person in one of the three ways:
He is given the good news of everlasting bounties, or informed of the never-ending retribution or he remains in a perpetual state of terror and fear.
His affair lingers undecided and unpredictable, and it is not known about the kind of future that awaits him. Then (you must know) that our devotee who is obedient of our command and does not sin, is given the good news of everlasting bounties. But our opponent shall forever be involved in Divine punishment. And the person who has been unjust to his soul and who has abused it will be found in an unsure condition. Unaware of what the future will hold. Such a person is a sinner whose death will be accompanied with terror and fear. But Allah will not consider him on the same level as our enemy. Rather he would be removed from Hell because of our intercession.
Then, act (rightly) and obey the commandments of Allah. Do not consider the Divine punishment to be trifle, and certainly there are such people who would not be able to receive our intercession till after 3,00,000 years."(Behaarul Anwaar vol.3 quoted from Ma'aniul Akhbaar)
I am Concerned About You Regarding Barzakh
Umar ibne Yazid says that, "I asked Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.), "I have heard you saying that all our Shia's will enter Heaven however sinful they may be?" Imam replied,
"By Allah I had truly said, they shall all belong to Heaven."
Then I asked, "May my life be sacrificed upon you, even if their sins are great and in large number?" Imam said,
"All of you (Shias) shall enter Paradise by the intercession of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) or his successors on the Day of Judgement. But, by Allah I fear for you the Barzakh."
I asked,"What is Barzakh?"
He replied,
"Barzakh is the grave. Its duration commences from the time of death until the Day of Judgement."
(Al Kafi)
Tears of Blood
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) called the attention of Ibne Masud and imparted some advice to him. He said in this regard.
"Never imagine a sin to be trifle and miniature and abstain from the Greater Sins, because, on the Day of Judgement, when the slave beholds his sins, tears of blood and puss shall flow from his eyes. At that moment Allah shall say, "This is the day when everyone shall see his good or bad deeds, and wish there be a great distance between them and their sins."
(Behaarul Anwaar vol.17)
It is also related from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) that he said,
"Verily, a person shall be kept captive in Hell for a hundred years for each of the sins (that he commits)."
(Al-Kafi)
No Intercession for Those Who Regard Namaz Unimportant
Making light of Salaat is counted among the Greater Sins. It is mentioned in some reports that the one who considers the prayers unimportant is not eligible for intercession.
Thus Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said:
"Our intercession is not for those who consider the Prayers unimportant."
Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said:
"Our intercession is not for those who considered the Prayers lightly."
(Behaarul Anwaar vol.3)
It is related from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) that he said:
"One who considers prayers unimportant is not from me. By Allah, he is not from me. By Allah, he cannot reach near me at the Haudh-e-Kauthar." (the cistern in Paradise)
(Beharul Anwaar)
The above discussion makes it evident that not avoiding sins, committing sins blatantly and then repenting in the hope of intercession is foolishness and a sign of arrogance and negligence.
Excessive Sins Destroy the Faith (Belief)
Whatever has been mentioned in the discussion of intercession states that intercession comes to the rescue when the person concerned has died with correct belief. It happens, sometimes that, due to excessive involvement in sins and delay in repentance, faith in religion is erased from the heart. Subsequently he enters the limit of doubt and reaches the point of denial (Kufr). At this time if he is taken away by death, such a person is similar to the one who had consumed poison in the false hope that the doctor would save his life. But when the doctor arrives, death had already preceded him. What can the doctor do to cure him. In the same way the request of the intercessors is ineffective for the one who has died as an unbeliever.
"So the intercession of intercessors shall not avail them."
(Surah Muddassir 74:48)
In order to prove my statement I propose to quote one verse from the Holy Qur'an and two traditions:
"Then evil was the end of those who did evil, because they rejected the communications of Allah and used to mock them."
(Surah Rome 30:10)
Sins Blacken the Heart
The first tradition is reported from Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.): He said,
"There is no man who does not have a white spot in his heart. When he commits a sin a black spot emerges from this spot. If he repents, the blackness goes away but if he sinks in sin and continues to sin the blackness keeps on increasing till it surrounds the whiteness of the heart completely. When the white spot is totally covered by the blackness, the owner of this heart will never revert towards goodness. This tradition is in consonance with the utterance of Allah:
"By no means! But on their hearts is the stain of the (ill) which they do."
(Surah Mutaffefeen 83:14)
The Blackened Heart is Immune to Advice and Counsel
The people with the 'blackened heart' are totally unaffected by any counsel because their sins have caused the darkness to spread all over their heart. The loss of the inner eye prevents them from perceiving truths nor can they recognise the truth when they see it. They cannot accept any exhortation and revert to the path of virtue. It is in this connection that Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) explains:
"A man resolves to perform a sinful action but does not act upon it, but sometimes does commit it; Allah sees him and says: "By My Glory, after this I shall never forgive you."
According to another report, the person (sinner) is kept away from the Mercy of Allah due to his sin. He also does not get the impetus to seek repentance, hence his sin is never forgiven. Allama Majlisi (r.a.) writes in the explanatory note of the above tradition: "The purport of this tradition of Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) is that, the Imam has commanded us to fear all types of sins because every sin seems to be such that it may not qualify being overlooked.
To Be Fearful of the Past Sins
The believing people should always be fearful of the sins committed in the past and should mourn for them since we do not know which of our sins can bring about out destruction. The Imam (a.s.) has not informed us of any sin that we can ignore and remain bereft of the Mercy of Allah. However, it is certain that the sin for which we have not repented would be sure to prevent our salvation. So we must enter the domain of Allah's grace through the door of repentance. We should sincerely repent for those sins, which are forgotten by us and especially seek forgiveness of those sins that we remember. The method of repenting shall be explained later Inshallah.
Intercession Should Neither Raise False Hope, Nor be a Cause to be Arrogant
The preceding discussion has shown that the element of intercession does not become the cause of arrogance and disobedience. Rather, intercession imparts strength to the sinner in a state of despair. It creates in him the habit of repenting with fervour. Consequently, he would be able to reach a high position and achieve nearness to the Lord of the Worlds.
The Fear and Dread of Sins is Still Necessary
It should not be so, that a person is hopeful of intercession and is negligent at the same time. Along with the hope of intercession the fear of Allah is also a must. Because fear is not contrary to intercession. The one who is hopeful of the grace and mercy of the Almighty Lord may also experience fear. Otherwise he may not be able to obtain intercession of his masters [The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and the Imams (a.s.)] for a very long time. In other words, such a person would be able to receive intercession only after being afflicted with the punishment of the grave for a long period of time. In the meantime the fear, awe, agony, suffering and misery that he is experiencing, may become the cause for him to receive intercession of the purified Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). It may also spur him to be attached to them steadily.
The Shias of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.)
One of the traditions concerning the position of the Shias and the lovers of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) states that the fire of Hell cannot scorch them. Thus, these types of traditions impart strength to our hope. Our love for the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) is certainly a surety for us but it should not tempt us to commit sins blatantly.
Shia and Mohib
The traditions regarding this subject are based on two important points. The first is concerned with 'Shia' and the second 'Mohibs' (Admirers) of the Holy Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). The position and status of those Shias who have achieved excellence in the field of knowledge and good deeds is definitely higher. Even so, such people did not consider themselves fit to be called the Shias of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). Take the example of Muhammad bin Muslim Thaqafi. He was the honourable companion (Sahaabi) of Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) and Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.). Both the Holy Imams (a.s.) have recommended him to the Shias for solving their religious problems. Muhammad bin Muslim Thaqafi has also been mentioned as the greatest Jurist of his time in the books of Rijal (Chain of narrators).
On one occasion Muhammad bin Muslim along with Abu Karibatul Azdi went to see Qazi Shareek. Shareek glared at him inrage and said, "These two are Ja'fari and Fatimi!" [Shias of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.)]. Upon hearing this, both of them began to cryharshly. When the Qazi enquired the reason for their lamentation, they replied, "You have associated us with such a lofty personality [Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.)]!. Are people like us who lack in piety and abstinence to be compared with such an exalted person? What connection does the dust have with the Divine existence? (A Persian saying). We shall be highly obliged to you if you can accept our appeal (and give us not the title that we do not deserve)."
The True Shias are Those Who Follow (Obey) the Imams (a.s.)
Yes, we can give the title of 'Shia' to that individual who follows the Imams (a.s.) in all aspects of character and speech. Thus, Bab-ul-Hawaij Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.) says:
"Our shias are only those who follow us (in every respect), walk in our footsteps and imitate our actions."
(Behaarul Anwaar)
Conversation of Ali (a.s.) With Some Shias
On a certain evening Ali (a.s.) was departing from the mosque. The surroundings were bright due to the moonlight. He saw behind him a group of people walking towards him. He enquired as to who they were? They said: "We are your Shias." Ali (a.s.) looked at their faces carefully and said.
"Why is it that your faces do not exhibit any sign of you being a Shia?".
"Master, what are the signs of a Shia?"
"Their faces are pale due to excessive worship and the fear of Allah, their backs are bent due to prolonged prayers, too much fasting causes their abdomen to touch their backbones, their lips become dry be repeating endless invocations, and their hearts are filled with the fear of Allah."
(Behaarul Anwaar, Al-Irshad).
Now I shall quote three traditions for the benefit of the readers:
Mere Claim is not Sufficient
1) Jabir (a.r.) relates from Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) that he said,
"Is it sufficient for one to associate himself with Shiaism and say that, "I am a lover of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.)? By Allah, our Shia is not, but the one who fears Allah and obeys His Commands."
(Al-Kafi)
2) Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.) told Mufazzal bin Umar,
"If you wish to see one of our devotees then look for that person who abstains from sins and fears more His Creator and remains hopeful of His reward. Whenever you find such an individual then take it for granted that he is one of my devotees."
3) Isa bin Abdulla Qummi entered in the presence of Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.). The Imam said,
"That person is not from us nor do we hold him in esteem, the one who, if he lives in a town of a population of hundred thousand and there is even one non-Shia who is more pious than him."
(Al-Kafi).
Thus the belief, actions and the piety of the Shias of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) should be such that they should be the best and none should excel them. Allah has defined such people 'Khairul Bareeya' in the Holy Qur'an:
"(As For) those who believe and do good, surely they are the best of men."
(Surah Bayyanah 98:7)
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) is reported to have explained that 'Khairul Bareeya' connotes the Shias of Ali (a.s.):
"O Ali, 'Khairul Bareeya' means you and your Shias. On the Day of Judgement, they would be satisfied with what Allah has bestowed upon them and they shall be liked by Allah. (Tafseer Tabarsi, Manaqib Khwaarazmi, Ibne Hajar).
Wilayat
There is not an iota of doubt that the one who possesses the Wilayat of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) would be deserving of salvation. In fact, he shall be with the Prophets (s.a.w.s.) and the Pure Imams (a.s.). Imam Reza (a.s.) said:
"Allah shall collect our Shias on the Day of Judgement in such a condition that their faces shall be aglow with (radiance). His arguments would be lighted (manifest) and his proof shall be obvious before Allah. It is upon Allah to collect our Shias with the Prophets, the martyrs and the truthful ones on the Day of Judgement. These personalities are the best of the loyalists."
(Behaarul Anwaar)
The Meaning of Wilayat
It is written in the book Majmaul Bahraen regarding the meaning of the word 'Wilayat': "Wilayat is the love for Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), the natural consequence of which is to follow them in religious matters, to fulfil the obligations laid down on us and to abstain from the things prohibited. Wilayat is to walk in the footsteps of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) following their ways in deeds, behaviour and manner of speech."
Wilayat therefore means love and obedience. This idea is supported by a tradition from Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) wherein the Holy Imam (a.s.) has related love with obedience.
source : GREATER SINS by Ayatullah-ul-Uzma Sayed Abdul Husain Dastghaib Shirazi (r.a.)
