MUHASABAT AN-NAFS (SELF-ACCOUNTING)

In verse no.2 of Sura Al-Quiyamah, Allah (SWT) says;

“Nay, I swear by the self-accusing (reproaching/accounting) soul”.

One of the stages of development of human soul (Rooh) as mentioned in this verse is known as Lawwamah which means the accuser / the critisizer.It makes him feel concious and aware of an evil and wrongdoing and he resists in doing it. It makes him ask for God’s grace and pardon.

By making the mention of Lawwamah – the self-accusing soul, Allah (SWT) has given  importance to it as a means of perfecting man’s character.It is the God-fearing and pious people who keep this soul active and refer to it in their daily life.Simply put, it is by the help of this aspect of human soul that they refrain from sins.

Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (as) has said;

“Check your account ( of deeds) before you are called to render it (after death in presence of God)”.

True and regular criticizing and accounting of oneself is essential for the development of human soul. This is a way one can save himself from evil-doing and falling prey to pride and negligence.Before we go to sleep, we must embark upon self-accounting for what we have done during the passed day.We should be able to judge our conduct whether it is upto the Islamic standard and spiritual perfection..Should we detect any wrong, we should firmly resolve to amend and improve ourselves.If we do not do this at the early stage, the time would come when repenting would be too late.It would be very  difficult in older age to correct the wrong habits already deeply rooted in our nature.

We need to cultivate the habit of daily self-accounting and self-criticism so as to attain a higher stage of perfection called Mutma’innah in Islam when a soul feels rest and satisfied.

It is related that the Holy Prophet (saw) once, when travelling with his companions, dismounted at a barren place where there was no vegetation.He (saw) told them to go and collect firewood and they asked how could they find that on such a barren land.The Prophet(saw) advised  them to collect whatever they could.So they went and brought whatever little they could collect and in a short while, there was a heap laid before the Prophet.He (saw) then told them that one’s sins could similarly be searched and collected.

What the Prophet (saw) meant to convey to his people was a lesson of self-accounting.The same way as the wood collected could not be seen before collection, man’s sins are not easily seen and remembered.But when they are looked for and accounted, they form a long list.Hence one should form the habit of self-accounting and learn to correct one’s own faults and sins rather than spy those of others and criticize them.

MANSOOR AND THE FLY

It was an Abbasid court, with all the splendor.Mansoor was the king.Just as Mansoor was attending the business of state, a small fly sat on his nose.With a wave of his hand, he whisked it off.But the fly sat on his nose again.This continued till atlast Mansoor felt greatly disturbed.

Turning to Imam Ja’ffar As-Sadiq (as), who was present that day, he said;
“O’Son of the Prophet! Can you tell me why Allah created these lousy flies?”

The Imam (as) replied;

“Yes, So that the mighty and the proud are rendered humble and helpless”.

Released by:
Mulla Mujaheedali Sheriff

mulla@almahdi.org.uk