Certainty … the life of hearts

Our talk in this article is going to be about one of the highest ranks in the religion and a quality of the virtuous… it is certainty.

Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim  said about the rank of certainty: “It’s importance for belief, is like that of the soul to the body. It is based on this rank that the righteous differ in status and in it they compete and strive hard. Their deeds are based on it, and their aims directed to it. If patience were to marry certainty, they would obtain the rank of leadership in piety with respect to this religion. Allaah says (what means): “And We made from among them leaders (i.e. in piety) guiding by Our command when they were patient and [when] they were certain of Our signs” [Quran: 32: 24].Allaah made benefiting from the signs and evidences peculiar to the people of certainty saying (what means): “And on the earth are signs for the certain [in faith]” [Quran: 51: 20].Allaah also made success and guidance one of their distinct qualities saying (what means): “And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad  ], and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith]. Those are upon [right] guidance from their Lord, and they who are the successful” [Quran: 2: 4-5]. Additionally, Allaah Has informed us that the dwellers of the Fire were not amongst the people of certainty saying (what means): “And when it was said, ‘Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth and the Hour [is coming] — no doubt about it, you said, ‘We know not what is the Hour. We assume only assumption, and we are not convinced.’” [Quran: 45: 32]. Thus certainty is the life for deeds, hearts and limbs … it is the reality of truthfulness … it is the essence of the religion and around it the matter revolves” [End of quote].
Reliance is one of the fruits of certainty:
Reliance is one of the fruits of certainty and thus it was appropriate to connect guidance to it, as Allaah says (what means): “So rely upon Allah; indeed, you are upon the clear truth” [Quran: 27:79]; the clear truth here refers to certainty.
The messengers of Allaah said, as we are informed by Allaah in the following verse (which means): “And why should we not rely upon Allah while He has guided us to our [good] ways.” [Quran: 14:12] Once certainty reaches the heart, it fills with light and brightness, the result of which  is that doubt, discontentment, anguish, anxiety all depart from ones heart, and it is filled instead with the love of Allaah, fear of Him, contentment with Him, gratitude towards Allaah, reliance on Him and returning to Him. Certainty is the essence of all these qualities and the thing that instigates them.
The Prophet  said: “The reformation of the first (generations) of this nation (i.e. the Muslims) results from their being ascetic and having certainty in Allaah; while the destruction of the last of it will be due to stinginess and harboring false hopes to live longer than ones destined time” [Ahmad]. In another narration he  said: “The salvation of this nation (i.e. the Muslims) results from their being ascetic and having certainty in Allaah …” [Ibn Abu Ad-Dunyaa].
The Prophet  asks for certainty from his Lord:
Ibn ‘Umar  reported: “The Prophet  seldom left a gathering without supplicating in these terms: "Allaahumma-qsim lanaa min khashyatika maa tahoolu bihi baynanaa wa bayna ma`aaseeka, wa min taa`atika maa tuballighunaa bihi jannataka, wa minal-yaqeeni maa tuhawwinu bihi `alaynaa masaa-'ibad-dunyaa. Allaahumma matti`naa bi-asmaa`ina, wa absaarinaa maa ahyaitanaa, waj`alhul-waaritha minnaa, waj`al tha’rana `alaa man thalamanaa, wansurnaa `alaa man `aadaanaa, wa laa taj`al museebatanaa fee deeninaa, wa laa taj`alid-dunya akbara hamminaa, wa laa mablagha `ilminaa, wa laa tusallit `alaynaa man-laa yarhamunaa, (O Allaah, apportion to us such fear that will serve as a barrier between us and acts of disobedience; and such obedience as will take us to Your Paradise; and such as will make easy for us to bear the calamities of this world. O Allaah! let us enjoy our hearing and our sight as long as You keep us alive and make our heirs from our own offspring, and make our revenge restricted to those who oppress us, and support us against those who are hostile to us; let no misfortune afflict our religion; let not worldly affairs be our principal concern, or the ultimate limit of our knowledge, and let not those rule over us who do not show mercy to us).'' [At-Tirmithi].
Certainty yields contentment and acceptance of deeds:
Abu Ad-Dardaa’  said: “… An atom’s weight of righteousness from a person with piety and certainty is better, greater and more superior than acts of worship as huge as mountains from a deceived person” [Ahmad].
‘Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood  said: “Relief, tranquility and joy are found in certainty and contentment, while grief and anxiety are found in doubt and discontentment”.
‘Ataa’ Al-Khurasaani  rarely left a gathering without saying: “O Allaah, apportion to us such certainty that will make easy for us to bear the calamities of this world, so that we will realize that only what has been destined to happen will happen and that we will only attain the provisions that You decreed for us”.
Bilaal Ibn Sa’d  said: “O slaves of The Most Merciful! Know that you are working in short days for the lengthy day to come; in a vanishing abode for the eternal abode; in a dwelling of anxiety and weariness for a dwelling with everlasting pleasure; and he who does not posses certainty should not be deceived with his deeds ... You neglect that which Allaah commanded you to guard (i.e. His commands) and strive hard to attain that which He guaranteed for you (i.e. provision). This is not how the certain slaves should be; how can they be intelligent in seeking this life, and heedless of the purpose of their creation? Just as you hope for the mercy of Allaah due to the obedient acts you perform, likewise, fear His wrath that results from the sins you commit”.
Know that certainty is proportional to piety, as it will never be in a heart that trusts other than Allaah.
Beautiful examples for ambitious people in attaining certainty:
The one who searches the pages of history finds it filled with beautiful examples for ambitious people in attaining certainty and trust in Allaah, such as:
Ibraaheem : This was one of his distinct qualities  and all his stances prove such a fact. His debate with his people reflected certainty, as Allaah says (what means): “And his people argued with him. He said, “Do you argue with me concerning Allah while He has guided me? And I fear not what you associate with Him [and will not be harmed] unless my Lord should will something. My Lord encompasses all things in knowledge; then will you not remember? And how should I fear what you associate while you do not fear that you have associated with Allah that for which He has not sent down to you any authority? So which of the two parties has more right to security, if you should know?” They who believe and do not mix their belief with injustice (i.e. association of others in divinity with Allah.) — those will have security and they are [rightly] guided.” [Quran: 6:80-82]. How can anyone hold such certainty fear other than Allaah?
His certainty and reliance on Allaah  materialized when his people were about to throw him in the fire and Jibreel (i.e. Gabriel) came to him saying: “Do you need anything?” he  replied: “If it is from you, then no; then he started repeating the following terms: ` Allaah -Alone- is sufficient for us, and, He is the Best Disposer of affairs`”.
Every one of his situations spoke aloud reflecting his certainty. Additionally, his leaving his wife alone with his breastfeeding infant in the desert is another bright example reflecting his certainty.
Prophet Muhammad  … the optimum ambition: Who can reach the level of our Prophet  whose certainty was an example to be imitated during hardships?
There was no hardship and grief that was more difficult than the time when he had to migrate, as Allaah says (what means): “If you do not aid him [i.e. the Prophet () — Allaah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out [of Makkah] as one of two (The second was his companion, Abu Bakr), when they were in the cave and he [i.e. Muhammad ()] said to his companion, ‘Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.’ And Allah sent down His tranquility upon him and supported him with soldiers [i.e. angels] you did not see and made the word (i.e. their claims and slogans.) of those who disbelieved the lowest (i.e. degraded and dishonored), while the word of Allah (“Laa ilaaha Ill-Allaah” (None is worthy of worship except Allah)) — that is the highest. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise” [Quran: 9:40].
When Abu Bakr  said; “If one of them looks at the position of his feet he would see us” the Prophet  calmed him down saying: “O Abu Bakr! What do you think of two Whose third (in support) is Allaah?”Look how certain he  was in his Lord.
After he went through an extremely difficult time with the people of Taa’if, the angel of mountains came to him and offered to take revenge for him from those polytheist people, but instead he  said: “I hope that Allaah will bring from their progeny some who will not associate others with Allaah”.
The call of ‘Umayr Ibn Al-Hamaam … a minaret of certainty: When he  heard the Prophet  say: “Rise for a Paradise as wide as the Heavens and the earth” he  said: “Bakh, Bakh” which is an expression reflecting ones astonishment. The Prophet  said to him:“What made you say Bakh, Bakh?” he  said: “Nothing O Prophet of Allaah, other than the hope to be amongst its dwellers”. Thereupon, the Prophet  said to him: “You are one of its dwellers”. He  took out some dates that he had in his pocket and started eating from them, then he said: “If I live long enough to eat these dates, then this indeed would be a long life”. Then he tossed them away and fought until he was killed.