SHALL I INFORM YOU OF SOMETHING MORE FEARFUL THAN THE DAJJAL?

SHALL I INFORM YOU OF SOMETHING 

MORE FEARFUL THAN THE DAJJAL?

Shaykh Saalih ibn Fawzaan al Fawzaan

Mahmud bin Labid narrated that Allaah's Messenger [may the peace and salutations of Allaah be upon him] said: “The most dreadful thing which I fear for you is minor polytheism: ar-Riyaa (showing off).'' (reported by Ahmed, by a sound chain)

Shaykh Saalih ibn Fawzaan al Fawzaan Explained:

The Prophet [may the peace and salutations of Allaah be upon him] addressed his companions regarding the trial and harm of the Dajjal (Anti-Christ) then he stood up from his sitting. He made the people busy themselves with discussing the trials and harms of the Dajjal (Anti-Christ) due to fear from him. Severe fear of the Dajjal and his trials afflicted the companions [May Allaah be pleased with them] so when the Prophet [may the peace and salutations of Allaah be upon him] came to them he said: “Shall I inform you of that which I fear for you more than the Dajjal (Anti-Christ)” they replied “Yes! O’ Messenger of Allaah: He said “Minor shirk and it is ar-Riyaa (showing off)”.


Indeed mankind shows off by way of his good actions and wishes people to praise and extol him. This is in contradiction to sincerity to Allaah, this is polytheism because this action was done for the sake of people.


The meaning of polytheism: is to worship other than Allaah and this is found in showing off. So the person that is showing off is worshipping other than Allaah because he has performed an act of worship for the sake of the people. He did not do it for the sake of Allaah. Indeed Allaah has described the hypocrites to be from those who show off to the people, therefore showing off is from the characteristics of the hypocrites. Indeed the Prophet [May Allaah be pleased with them] has mentioned (showing off) to be from minor polytheism (shirk). Minor polytheism doesn’t exit one from the religion but it leads to major polytheism and it nullifies the actions that were performed and it becomes inconvenient upon the person who performed it without benefit. As for the major polytheism then it nullifies all actions that one has performed.


The believer is one that stays away from polytheism. However the problem is in minor polytheism. The believer has to be cautious from it, since (showing off in worship) is a type of polytheism that is hidden. It is in the heart and none has knowledge of what is in the heart except Allaah. The Prophet [may the peace and salutations of Allaah be upon him] feared for the best nation and they are the Companions. The Companions feared it for themselves because the number of those who are saved from (falling into) it are small - except for those that Allaah has saved.


It is upon the Muslim to fear showing off. The Muslin shouldn’t praise himself; it is upon the Muslim to hide his actions whatever the actions may be, it is upon the Muslim to make his intention, his apparent and hidden actions sincere for Allaah. If love for praise occurs in the Muslim’s mind or if he is exposed to showing off then it upon him to repulse it and there is no harm upon him, if it becomes grave and persists with him then his actions will be void and this is very dangerous because this is what occurs in the mind of the people. Mankind like to be praised and extolled and if this occur in a person’s actions and acts of worship, it will become ar-Riyaa.
Allaah said:

''So woe unto those performers of Salat (prayers) (hypocrites), Who delay their Salat (prayer) from their stated fixed times, those who do good deeds only to be seen (of men), and refuse Al-Ma'un.'' [Surat Al-Mā`ūn 4-7]

Allaah has promised them al-Wayl [a valley in Hell]. Allaah said:

''So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.'' [Surat Al-Kahf 110]

This includes minor and major polytheism (and associates none as a partner in the worship of his Lord), Allaah further mentioned: “I am Independent of all the partners (ascribed to me). Whoever performs a deed while associating partners with Me, I will leave him and his Shirk.”1, Allaah doesn’t accept actions except that they are sincere seeking his face and it has to be according to the Sunnah of the Prophet [may the peace and salutations of Allaah be upon him].

( 1. Muslim from Abu Hurayra – 2985 )

Taken from The Explanation of Bulugh al Maraam on the Book of al-Jaami page 236 by Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan

Translated by Abu Yahya al-Kangoli

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