Piety in its true sense

Imagine a person whom you love is visiting you. You welcome him warmly as he deserves. You honour this guest to the best of your abilities so that there is no reproach. However, when he is leaving, out of respect and humility, you will still say to him ''Do forgive me, I did not honour as well as should be done.'' This is how the very pious people weep and seek forgiveness from Allah Ta'aala after they have spent their whole night engaging in 'Ibaadah. The more they engage in 'Ibaadah, the more they recognise the greatness of Allah Ta'aala and the more they underestimate their 'Ibaadah. When they reach this stage, they find no alternative but to ask for forgiveness for any shortcomings in their 'Ibaadah.

As long as a person considers that he has engaged in 'a lot of' Ibaadah, it means that he still has a long way to go for reformation as his mind is still fixed on his 'Ibaadah without contemplating on the greatness of Allah Ta'aala. Very often, these people, gradually suffer from a disease called pride. Eventually, they will be losers in all aspects of their life. As for the very pious people, they are always fearful even after doing their best effort as Allah Ta'aala says in Surah Ad-Dhariyaat: "... They used to sleep little in the night; and in the hours before dawn they used to pray for forgiveness. " Similarly, in Surah Al- Mu'minun Allah Ta'aala says: "And those who give whatever they give, with their hearts full of fear that to their Lord they are to return."

[English version of "Vraiment pieux" - Al Jamiat Vol.7 No.11]