Guide-to-Sound-Creed-A-Book-on-Muslim-Creed-and-Faith

Principle 1: Belief in Allah, Mighty and Exalted be He
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thoughts about Allah. Evil omens, on the contrary, are an act ofmistrusting Allah
and anticipating the occurrence of evil. Thus, distinction becomes apparent
between good and evil omens. When people have hope of getting good from
Allah, they will put their full trust in Him. On the contrary, when they give up
such a hope and have despair, they will be regarded as polytheists for they are
attached <strong>to</strong> objects other than Allah.
Ibnul-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) states:
"Being favorably impressed with a good omen and cherishing it do not
necessarily imply any act ofpolytheism. It is only natural that people are
favorably inclined <strong>to</strong>ward what appeals <strong>to</strong> them, as the Prophet (PBUH)
is reported <strong>to</strong> have favored women and perfumes. He also liked desserts
and honey. He is, also, reported <strong>to</strong> have enjoyed listening <strong>to</strong> melodious
recitation of the Qurtln and the prayer call (adhan). Moreover, the
Prophet liked good manners and noble traits. Generally, he used <strong>to</strong>
favor perfection and all means and acts leading <strong>to</strong> it. In addition, Allah
has made people instinctively incline <strong>to</strong> being called by good names
and feeling pleased with words connoting success and prosperity, and
utterances bearing congratulations and glad tidings. Thus, when such
words and utterances <strong>to</strong>uch upon the ears, the soul feels pleased, the
breast becomes relaxed and the heart grows braver. By contrast, when
words and utterances bearing pessimistic connotations are heard, the
soul feels depressed and grieved. One may also feel discouraged from
accomplishing ones objectives, and this may consequently impose harm
in this life and a decline offaith andfinally a perpetration ofacts leading
<strong>to</strong> polytheism."
Imam Ahmad related on the authority of'Abdullah Ibn 'Amr that the Prophet
(PBUH) said:
"If anyone s<strong>to</strong>ps doing something because of (believing in) evil omen,
then he has committed an act of disbelief.' They said, "0 Messenger
ofAllah! What is the expiation for that?' He (the Prophet) said, '(The
expiation for that is) <strong>to</strong> say, '0 Allah! There is no good but Yours, and
no omen but comes from You, and there is no deity but You.' "
This hadith illustrates that evil omens cannot bear an influence upon those
who pay no heed <strong>to</strong> it. As for those who do not sincerely rely on Allah but
indulge in evil acts, they may be debarred from accomplishing their aims as they
renounce pure belief in Allah. We ask Allah <strong>to</strong> bes<strong>to</strong>w upon us perfect faith and
due reliance on Him. We also seek refuge in Allah <strong>to</strong> avert us from the path ofevil
and polytheism, for He is the All-Hearing and the All-Answering.