Gifts of Knowledge

Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, “Indeed those things which inhibit a person from attaining what he is aiming for are numerous.  But by seeking Allaah’s Aid, the Mighty and Majestic, and by expending [the required] effort he will achieve his goal.  And let it be known that every time the diversion is stronger then the one seeking [his goal] will be in a jihaad, and that every time the distraction is stronger but the person drives it away then through that he will receive two rewards: the reward for doing the [righteous] action and the reward for repelling the hindrance and for this reason the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said, “Ahead of you there are days of patience, when patience will be like grasping live coals, and the one who does good deeds will have the reward of fifty Companions,” because of the numerousness of the things that hinder.”

Ash-Sharh al-Mumti, vol. 1, pp. 22-23.

Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, “Indeed when a person faces calamities with patience [but] without hoping for a reward from Allaah, the calamity will become an expiation for his sins.  And if he shows patience along with hoping for a reward [from Allaah], then along with being an expiation for his sins it becomes a good recompense and reward.  And the meaning of hoping for Allaah’s reward [al-Ihtisaab] is that a person believes that he will soon be rewarded for the patience [he is showing], so he makes good his thoughts about Allaah and thus Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, will give him [a reward] according to what he thought of Him.”

At-Ta’leeq alaa Saheeh Muslim, p. 342.

Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him, said, “If you see that you have turned away from something from Allaah’s Religion or you see that you have turned away from the Book of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, either from reciting its [actual] words, or reciting it [by pondering over] its meaning, or reciting it by acting on it, then it is obligatory on you to cure yourself–and know that the cause of that turning away is sins.”

Tafsir Surah al-Maa’idah, vol. 1, p. 483.

Shaikh Uthaimeen, may Allaah have mercy on him said, “The more a person sticks to Allaah’s Legislation the more The Most High will guide him, due to His Saying, ‘And He guides them to a Straight Path.’ [5:16]  So sins are a cause for deviation and obedience and submission a cause for guidance.”

Tafsir Suratul-Maa’idah, v. 1, p. 221.