Taking Account of Oneself

Shaykhul-Islaam Ibnul Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

(May Allaah have mercy upon him)

                                                                         

Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah mentioned: 

"Taking account of oneself is of two categories. A category that's before the performance of the action and a category that is after the performance of the action.

As for the first category: Taking account of oneself before the performance of the action:

It is that the person stops at his desire and want (to perform an action). He doesn't hasten to perform it until it because clear that it is better to perform the action than leaving it off. 

Al-Hasan Al-Basree (may Allaah have mercy upon him) stated:

"May Allaah have mercy upon the servant who stops at his desire (to perform an action). If it is for Allaah he proceeds. If it is for other than Him, he hesitates (and leaves off the action)."

As for the second category: Taking account of oneself after the performance of the action. It is of three categories.

1. Taking account of oneself regarding an act of worship that one was negligent in from the rights of Allaah. The act of obedience was not performed in the manner which is befitting. Then the person takes account of himself whether or not he has established the act of obedience to Allaah upon a manner which is pleasing to Allaah or was he negligent in that?

2. He takes account of himself regarding every action he performed which was better for him to leave off.

3. He takes account of himself regarding a permissible matter or customary act, why did he do it?

He takes account of himself as to whether or not he intended the face of Allaah and the hereafter. This would be a gain if he did. Or did he intend by the action the life of this world and its immediate satisfaction. That would be a loss of that gain and the opportunity to attain it would be lost."

Taken from the book "al-Asbaab al-'Ashr li-Inshiraahis-Sadr" pg. 100 by S'ad Abdul-Ghaffaar Baarakallaah fee amalih. Preface by Doctor Muhammad Baazmool (may Allaah perserve him)

Translated by Abu Yusuf Khaleefah Masjid Nur Allaah Corona NYC USA