Khutbah: Sincerity: Part 2

The Prophet (عليه الصلاة والسلام) said, “When two Muslims are engaged in a combat against each other with their swords and one is killed, both are doomed to Hell.” I said, “O Messenger of Allah! As to the one who kills, it is understandable, but why the slain one?” He (عليه الصلاة والسلام) replied, “He was eager to kill his opponent.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

This Hadith leads to the conclusion that a person will be punished for a sinful intention for which he has made a firm determination and for the commitment of which he has adopted necessary measures, even if he does not succeed in committing it because of a certain obstruction.

Thus determination to commit a deed is different from a thought that occurs in our mind but which we dismiss immediately. A thought is excusable while a person is accountable for his determination.

The one who equips himself, sets out to attack and unlawfully kill another, and then dies in this state is in trouble. Similarly, the one who grooms and perfumes himself, sets off for a rave or a night out in the bar and is struck down by death on his way is in trouble.

Not to end on a pessimistic note, we end with a Hadith Qudsi (Sacred Tradition) which makes clear the Mercy and Grace of Allah and which mentions the magnitude of Divine blessings that Allah bestows upon his faithful slaves on the Day of Resurrection.

The Messenger of Allah (عليه الصلاة والسلام) said that Allah, the Glorious, said, “Verily, Allah Ta’aalaa has ordered that the good and the bad deeds be written down. Then He explained it clearly how: He who intends to do a good deed but he does not do it, then Allah records it for him as a full good deed, but if he carries out his intention, then Allah the Exalted, writes it down for him as from ten to seven hundred folds, and even more. But if he intends to do an evil act and has not done it, then Allah writes it down with Him as a full good deed, but if he intends it and has done it, Allah writes it down as one bad deed.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

So I conclude and I remind myself before any other, keep your heart in check and your thoughts clean, intend nothing but goodness and follow through with acts that you will be proud to see on your scales on the Day of Judgement.