The Cause of Salvation

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

The following was adapted from the book, Tambih al-Ghafilin by Imam Abu al-Layts Naswr ibn Muhammad as-Samarqandi (q.s.).  The story was first told to us by one of our shuyukh, Shaykh Ahmad ‘Arif.  The lesson is that we are always in a state of loss since nothing we have is ours.  Not even our deeds.  Our ‘ibadah is a Mercy Granted to us.  It is not the cause of Salvation. 

Jibril (a.s.) told Rasulullah (s.a.w.) the following incident about a man in the past who worshipped Allah (s.w.t.) continuously for 500 years.  He was Granted a shelter on top of a mountain that was surrounded by salty water.  Moreover, Allah (s.w.t.) Caused a stream of sweet water to flow through the mountain for that individual.  The man would drink from this water and use it to make ablution.  Allah (s.w.t.) also Raised a pomegranate tree from which the man would eat one fruit every day. 

One day, this person supplicated to Allah (s.w.t.) that, “O Allah, bring my death while I am in the state of prostration.”  Allah (s.w.t.) accepted this du’a of his.  Whenever Jibra’il (a.s.) came down to the Earth, he found this man prostrating to Allah (s.w.t.).  Jibril (a.s.) said that on the Day of Judgement, Allah (s.w.t.) will Tell the angels to take this individual to Paradise through His Mercy.  However, this man will insist that he should enter Paradise through the good deeds that he had performed. 

Then, Allah (s.w.t.) will tell the angels to compare his good deeds with the blessings that were given to him in the world.  It will be seen that 500 years of his worship does not even equal to the Gift of eyesight that was Given to him by Allah (s.w.t.).  The angels will be told to take him towards the hellfire.  Then the man will plead, “O Allah!  Enter me into Paradise only through Your Mercy.”  At that point, the following discussion will take place between Allah and that man. 

Allah (s.w.t.) will Ask him, “O my servant, who Created you?” 

The man will reply, “O Allah, You have Created me.” 

Allah (s.w.t.) will Ask, “Were you Created because of the good deeds you have done or because of My Mercy?” 

The man will reply, “Because of Your Mercy. 

Allah (s.w.t.) will Ask, “Who Granted you the ability to worship for 500 years?” 

The man will reply, “O Almighty!  You Granted me that ability.” 

Allah (s.w.t.) will Ask, “Who Placed you on the mountain surrounded by the ocean?  Who Caused a stream of sweet water to flow in between the salty water?  Who Caused a pomegranate tree to grow for you?  Who Granted you death while in the state of prostration?” 

The man will reply, “O Sustainer of the Worlds!  You have done all of these.” 

Then Allah (s.w.t.) will say, “All these have happened due to My Mercy and you too will enter Paradise only through My Mercy.”