Ethics of Islam

will surely go to Hell regardless of how much worship he
performs. Thus, do not tire yourself needlessly! Be comfortable!”
One who receives these types of suggestions should answer by
saying, “I am a slave of Allâhu ta’âlâ and the duty of a slave is to
carry out the orders of his owner.” If the devil counters by saying,
“If there is a fear of punishment for not performing the worships,
in that case, it becomes a necessity for a person to perform the
worships. But there is no fear of punishment for the happy
person.” One should answer by saying, “My Lord knows
everything and He does whatever He wishes. He either gives
goodness or troubles to whomever He chooses. No one has any
right to ask Him why He does this or that.” The devil showed
himself to Jesus (Îsâ) ‘alaihis-salâm’ and said to him, “Are you
saying that those things that are determined in eternal past will
come to pass?” Îsâ ‘alaihis-salâm’ replied, “Yes, certainly that is
the case.” The devil then said, “If that is the case, go jump from
the top of the mountain if it is determined in eternal past that you
will not be harmed, no harm will come to you!” Îsâ ‘alaihis-salâm’
replied, “O you, accursed one! Allâhu ta’âlâ tests His slaves. A
slave has no right to test his Owner.” One should say the
following to oneself in order to guard oneself against these types
of suggestions: “If it is determined in eternal past that I am one of
the happy ones then it is necessary for me to perform the worships
in order to increase rewards and degrees. If I am one of the
unfortunate ones, I will perform the worships in order to avoid
punishment for them.” One should further say to oneself,
“Performing worships do not bring any harm to me. Allâhu ta’âlâ
is absolutely Wise (Hakîm). Therefore, it would not befit His
Wisdom to punish a person who performs worships for His sake.
Even though not performing the worships would not harm a
happy person, it will not give any benefit to him, either. Hence,
how could a happy person ever prefer not to perform the
worships? Anyone who has reasoning will perform worships that
are beneficial and abstain from those things that are harmful. If it
was determined in eternal past that I would be one of the
unfortunate ones, I would still prefer being an obedient slave who
has been sent to Hell to being one who has been sent there
because of his disobedience to Allâhu ta’âlâ. Moreover, Allâhu
ta’âlâ promises that He will place those who perform worships
into Paradise and punish, in Hell, those who do not perform
worships. Allâhu ta’âlâ certainly will keep His promise. It is
reported by previous scholars with unanimity that He will not
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