virtuous actions, at times, Satan deceives them to make them heedless of the protection of their Iman by whispering things like ‘you have performed a lot of virtuous deeds. Now stop performing them. Your virtuous deeds are enough for you to be forgiven and for you to enjoy the blessings of Paradise.’ If such thought ever comes to your mind, then remove it straightaway. Never rely on your [acts of] worship. In order to uproot this whisper from your mind, think about the weeping of the righteous predecessors رَحِمَهُمُ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَالٰی, the fear of Allah Almighty they possessed and their parables regarding protecting their Iman. Those righteous individuals would remain worried regarding the protection of their Iman despite worshipping day and night.

When the time of death of Sayyiduna Huzayfah رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ approached, then he cried and signs of severe anxiety were apparent from him. People inquired the reason for crying. He رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ replied: ‘I am not crying due to leaving this world because death is dearer to me. Rather, I am crying thinking whether I am leaving this world while Allah Almighty is pleased with me or displeased? (Asad-ul-Ghabah, vol. 1, pp. 574)

Protection of Iman and seclusion

It is narrated that a person used to stay secluded from everyone. Sayyiduna Abu Darda رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ went to him and asked him the reason for this. Upon this, he said: ‘This fear has dominated my heart that may it not be the case that my Iman is snatched away and I don’t even get to know about it.’

(Qoot-ul-Quloob, vol. 1, pp. 388)

Would cry the entire night

Sayyiduna Yusuf Bin Asbaat رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه states: I once went to Sayyiduna Sufyan Sawri رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه. He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه kept weeping the entire night. I asked him: ‘Are you crying due to the fear of sins?’ He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه picked up a piece of straw and said: ‘Sins hold less value than even this piece of straw in the court of Allah Almighty. What I fear is lest the treasure of Iman gets snatched away. (Minhaj-ul-‘Aabideen, pp. 155)