Ibn 'Uyayna commented: The greatest favour Allaah has
bestowed on His slaves is their knowledge and realisation of "There is no
deity but Allaah", and that to the dwellers of Paradise it is like cool
water to the people of this world. [Kalimat Al-Ikhlaas by Ibn Rajab pp.52-53]
Ibn Rajab says in enumerating the merits of the kalima:
That Paradise is its reward, that its utterance before death will cause one to
be admitted to Paradise, it is a refuge from Hell, it causes forgiveness, it is
the best of the good deeds; it washes away sins and vices, revives ones's faith
when it has faded away and outweighs sins. It traverses all barriers in order to
be accepted by Allaah the Almighty. It is the statement whose pronouncer will be
accepted by Him, and it is the best proclamation ever uttered by the prophets.
It is the best celebration of His praises, the best of deeds, and its
multiplication into good deeds is the greatest. It is tantamount to setting
slaves free. It is a protection against shaitaan. It is safety amidst the
darkness of the grave and the terror of Resurection. It is the motto of the
believers when they emerge out of their tombs. The eight doors of Paradise will
be accessible to its pronouncer. Further, the people who pronounce it are
certain to quit Hell even after they have been cast into it for falling short of
observing its obligations. [Kalimat Al- Ikhlaas by Ibn Rajab pp. 54-66]
Hope and Avidity
Mankind differs to a great extent in Al-'Uboodiyah to
Allah. Their differences are a quantative disparity in the reality of al-Eemaan.
In this regard they are often two types: general, and specific. Consequently,
their perception of the divinity of Ar-Rabb is also of two types: vague, and
detailed.
Thus, ash-Shirk in this Ummah is more hidden than the
crawling of ants.
The Messenger 
said, "May the worshipper of Ad- Dirham be wretched. May the
worshipper of Ad- Deenaar be wretched. May the worshipper of velvet cloth be wretched. May
the worshipper of silk cloth be wretched. May he be wretched and disappointed. When such a
one is pierced with thorns they cannot be extracted. When he is granted (what he desires),
he is pleased; and when he is denied, he is displeased..." [Bukhaaree & Ibn Maajah upon Abu Hurayrah (R)]
The Messenger labelled such a person: The worshipper of ...; mentioned his curse
and his condition. Neither did he attain his aim, nor did he escape the harm.
And among them are some who accuse
you (O Muhammad ) in the matter of (the
distribution of) the alms. If they are given part thereof, they are pleased; but if they
are not given thereof, behold! They are enraged! [At-Tawbah ayah 58]
Thus their contentment is for other than Allaah and their
rage is for other than Allaah. [These are the hypocrites whom Allaah has
mentioned in the rest of the verses. See Zaad Al-Maseer by Imaam Ibn Al-Jawzee,
Vol. 3, p.454]
He is therefore the 'Abd of that which he desires:
leadership, certain image, or any desire of the soul. The heart is the 'Abd of
whatever enslaves it and subdues it. [Al-'Uboodiyah, part 1, by Ibn Taymiyah]
If he renounces anything he will not seek it and will not
have avidity for it. His heart will not be in need of it nor will it be in need
of the person who would accomplish it for him.
'Umar ibn Al-Khattaab (RA) said, "Avidity is
poverty, and renunciation is richness. If one of you renounces anything he will
dispense with it."
Al-Khaleel, Ibraheem (AS) said:
. . So seek from Allaah (Alone)
your subsistence and worship Him (Alone), and be grateful to Him. To Him (Alone) will be
your return. [Al-'Ankaboot ayah 17]
Al-'Abd must have subsistence. He is in need of that. If
he seeks his subsistence from Allaah, he becomes an 'Abd for Allaah, but if he
seeks it from a created being, he becomes an 'Abd for that created being and in
need of him. That is why begging from a created being was forbidden in principle
but is allowed for under necessity.
The Messenger said, "One of you would still be begging until he comes on the Day of
Resurrection without a bit of flesh on his face."
[Bukhaaree, Muslim, an-Nasaa'ee upon 'Abdullaah ibn 'Umar (R)]
The Messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "Whoever
begged from people while having enough, his begging will be scratches on his face." [at- Tabaraanee upon Jaabir
(R)]
The Messenger said, "Begging is forbidden except when there is a great debt,
suffering injury, or abasing poverty." [Abu Daawood &
al-Bayhaqee upon Anas (R)]
Uboodiyyah - Obsession of the Heart Part 2
