The good deeds of this age

"... Another sign of the learned man of the next world is that he saves himself from innovations even though the people are unanimous on innovations and novelties. He is rather diligent in studying the conditions of the Companions, their conduct and character and their deeds. They spent their lives in Jihad, meditation, avoidance of major and minor sins, observation of their outer conduct and inner self...

... Hazrat Huzaifa said a [] wonderful saying: 'Your good deeds of this age are the evil deeds of the past age and the evil deeds of this age will be considered as good deeds of the next age...' He said the truth, because most of the good deeds of this age were reprehensible at the time of the Companions. The good deeds of our age is the embellishment of mosques, excess in ablution and bath, huge expenses in the construction of buildings for mosques, spreading of soft and fine rugs in mosques etc..."

(Source: Imam Ghazzali's Ihya-Ulum-Id-Deen)

The best of us is the one of learning,
harnessing passion with knowledge.

The best of us is the one free from blame,
following the way of the Companions.

The best of us is the one of good guidance,
firm in faith and silent toward doubt.

Visible Signs of the Learned Man of the Hereafter

"... Another sign of the learned man of the next world is that he becomes humble and adopts silence. The effect of God-fear appears on his body, dress, character, movements, speech and silence. If any man looks at him, it reminds him of God, and his nature and character are proofs of his actions. His eyes are a mirror of his mind. The signs of the learned man of the Hereafter are recognised on his face; tranquility, modesty and freedom from pride and vanity. A certain wise man said, 'God has not given a man a garment better than the garment of God-fear. It is the garment of the Prophets, Siddeeqs (truthful), Pirs and the learned men'..."

(Source: Imam Ghazzali's Ihya-Ulum-Id-Deen)

What do we say of a man
in whom God-fear has become ingrained,
a man who has acquired knowledge
and with it, tranquility and patience,
a man who has humbled himself
and whose knowledge has discouraged ignorance,
a man who rejoices at receiving the Mercy of God
whilst weeping secretly for fear of His punishment?

This man, the one who walks with modesty,
whose soul is in the earth but
whose wisdom is in the Hereafter,
he makes for a great companion;
he helps you when you remember God
and reminds you when you forget,
as the tradition goes.

This man, the one filled with God-fear,
who prepared for death before it came
and wept much in the world,
who remained silent
and did not mix with frivolous talks,
he will laugh most in the Hereafter.
Seek out his companionship.

I do not know

"Hazrat Ibn Mas'ud said: 'He who gives opinion as soon as a question is put to him is mad.'...

Some wise man said: 'There are worshippers in the world. Their meal ends when they are still hungry. They sleep when it overcomes them. Their words end only in necessary talks.' In other words, they do not speak unless asked and they remain silent when sufficient reply is obtained from others...

Someone said that among the jurists, the greater number were men who used to say 'we don't know' than the numbers who used to say 'we know'..."

(Source: Imam Ghazzali's Ihya Ulum-id-Deen)

Whoa whoa whoa, slow down there
and do not commit yourself so soon.
For what will you answer on that Day
when asked
"From where did you get this?"

Verily, as the wise man said,
"I do not know" is half of learning,
and this is the shield of the learned man.

Such was the condition of the Companions (RA)
and those who preceded us in excellence,
who when asked,
would wish not except that someone else reply,
freeing them of their burden.

This is knowledge, and with its increase,
is the decrease of excessive talk.
As the wise learned (wo)men of the Hereafter knew.

A lasting fruit - no preservatives required

"By God, know that the earth will consume flesh and fat but not faith."

(Attributed to Hazrat Hasan (RA) in Imam Ghazzali's Ihya Ulum-Id-Deen)

For certain, all is lost and nothing remains,
except faith and deed,
and so we smartly stock away
for a rainy relentless day.

Signs of the Learned Man

"... Another sign of the learned man of the next world is that he has got no attraction for various kinds of foods and drinks, luxury in dresses, furniture and houses, but rather he adopts moderate courses in all these things following the other sages and he is best satisfied with the least of everything. The less a man is attracted towards luxuries, the more he will be close to God and the more he will be in association of the learned men of the hereafter and in rank...

... In short, use of ornamentation in permissible things is not unlawful but it creates fondness for these and to give them up at the end becomes difficult..."

(Source: Imam Ghazali's Ihya Ulum-id-Deen)

Let us ponder:

The learning of the learned man goes back to whom?
The Companions of the Apostle of God.
The learning of the Companions goes back to whom?
The Apostle of God.

The Apostle of God erected palaces for himself where?
Not in this world.
The Companions erected palaces for themselves where?
Not in this world.

And so we ask:
Who is our master and our teacher?
The likes of Pharaoh and Namrud?
Nay, rather, in the Prophet of God do we find an excellent example, Sallallahu 3alayhi wa sallam.