Islam is a religion where every single action is rewarded but several actions are prohibited or regarded as haram in Islam. These can be conducted contrary to Islamic beliefs, including acts, behavior, and ideas. Is not it interesting that leaving something haram for Allah is rewarding as well as beneficial for us in this Duniya? Of course, there is a valid reason behind every commandment of Allah. For example, we should not drink alcohol.[1] Now it is proven by science why should we not drink alcohol. [2]
Every action prohibited by Islamic law has ‘khayr’ in it, if we discuss about the facts and findings of it many times we become astonished as something prohibited by Allah, and leaving for the sake of Allah has great benefits. It could be as straightforward as refraining from consuming haram food or participating in haram relationships. It could also be challenging, like giving up a forbidden habit or leaving taboo employment. A hadith states that Kathir bin ‘Amr bin ‘Awf Al-Muzani narrated from his father from his grandfather that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Reconciliation is allowed among the Muslims, except for reconciliation that makes the lawful unlawful, or the unlawful lawful. And the Muslims will be held to their conditions, except the conditions that make the lawful unlawful, or the unlawful lawful.” [3]
For the love of Allah, denunciating anything prohibited is extremely rewarding since it calls for a lot of self-control and discipline. Making the proper decisions is difficult, especially when temptations from all sides continuously surround us. However, we are rewarded in this life and the Hereafter when we do the right thing and obey Allah rather than yield to our wants.
For instance, we shield ourselves from emotional suffering and heartache by avoiding haram relationships. By avoiding haram foods, we cover our bodies from damage and disease. Our health and well-being are improved when we give up a haram habit. In addition to these worldly rewards, there are also rewards in the Hereafter for those who leave something haram for the sake of Allah. Allah (SWT) has said in the Holy Quran that:
وَٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا فَعَلُوا۟ فَـٰحِشَةً أَوْ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ ذَكَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ فَٱسْتَغْفَرُوا۟ لِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَمَن يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ وَلَمْ يُصِرُّوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلُوا۟ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ جَزَآؤُهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَجَنَّـٰتٌۭ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ وَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ ٱلْعَـٰمِلِينَ
“˹They are˺ those who, upon committing an evil deed or wronging themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness and do not knowingly persist in sin—and who forgives sins except Allah? Their reward is forgiveness from their Lord and Gardens under which rivers flow, staying there forever. How excellent is the reward for those who work ˹righteousness˺!” [4]
This means that when we choose to leave something haram for the sake of Allah, we are not only avoiding something harmful, but we are also making room for something better in our lives. Moreover, Allah promises great rewards in the afterlife for those who resist their desires and choose to obey Him. In the Quran, Allah says,
فَإِذَا بَلَغْ نَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَأَمْسِكُوهُنَّ بِمَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ فَارِقُوهُنَّ بِمَعْرُوفٍۢ وَأَشْهِدُوا۟ ذَوَىْ عَدْلٍۢ مِّنكُمْ وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلشَّهَـٰدَةَ لِلَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ يُوعَظُ بِهِۦ مَن كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ ۚ وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مَخْرَجًۭا . وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَـٰلِغُ أَمْرِهِۦ ۚ قَدْ جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدْرًۭا
“Then when they have ˹almost˺ reached the end of their waiting period, either retain them honorably or separate from them honorably and call two of your reliable men to witness either way—and ˹let the witnesses˺ bear true testimony for ˹the sake of˺ Allah. This is enjoined on whoever has faith in Allah and the Last Day. And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for them, and provide for them from sources they could never imagine. And whoever puts their trust in Allah, then He ˹alone˺ is sufficient for them. Certainly, Allah achieves His Will. Allah has already set a destiny for everything.”[5]
Importance of Leaving Something Haram for Allah
When we leave something for the sake of Allah, it holds immense benefits and rewards. That is why we must strive every day to try and go forbidden and walk on the guided path. And to do that, we must be determined, control our impulses as best as possible, and constantly seek Allah’s help. Our primary focus should be the rewards it bears for us to work on ourselves, such as:
Increased closeness to Allah
An act of worship that brings us closer to Allah is giving up something haram for the sake of Allah. We demonstrate our love and devotion to Allah by following His instructions, deepening our bond.
Improved mental and emotional health
Participating in haram activities may negatively impact our mental and emotional health. For instance, abusing alcohol or drugs can result in addiction and sadness. A sense of calm and satisfaction may be achieved by refraining from such haram practices, which can also benefit our mental and emotional health.
Greater sense of self-control
It takes self-control and determination to decide to leave anything haram for Allah. We may develop more self-control in other aspects of our lives by practicing self-control in one of them. A more balanced and satisfying existence may result from doing this. It was narrated from Jabir bin ‘Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“O people, fear Allah and be moderate in seeking a living, for no soul will die until it has received all its provision, even if it is slow in coming. So fear Allah and be moderate in seeking provision; take that which is permissible and leave that which is forbidden.” [6]
Protection from harm
Several haram practices might have adverse effects. Premarital relationships, for instance, might result in mental stress and heartache. We can avoid such harm and feel safe and secure by refraining from such haram behaviours. It also allows your soul to be purified from tricks and wrong intentions: Narrated `Umar bin Al-Khattab:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘O people! The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions, and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So, whoever emigrated for Allah and His Apostle, then his emigration was for Allah and His Apostle, and whoever emigrated to take worldly benefit or for a woman to marry. His emigration was for what he emigrated for.” [7]
We can clearly understand from this hadith that we shall reap the benefits of the seeds we sow ourselves. So we must always try to do well and leave anything that is considered haram for the sake of Allah. Moreover, the Holy Quran has stated:
وَمَن يَعْمَلْ سُوٓءًا أَوْ يَظْلِمْ نَفْسَهُۥ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرِ ٱللَّهَ يَجِدِ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورًۭا رَّحِيمًۭا
“Whoever commits evil or wrongs themselves then seeks Allah’s forgiveness will certainly find Allah All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [8]
Rewards in this life and the hereafter
When someone gives up something forbidden for Allah’s sake, Allah offers them enormous benefits. Both in this life and the next, these benefits are evident. For instance, avoiding haram foods might improve physical health and well-being. Allah offers enormous benefits in the Hereafter for those who follow Him and refrain from engaging in prohibited behavior. Allah (SWT) says:
وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ ۙ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌۭ وَأَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌۭ.
“Allah has promised those who believe and do good ˹His˺ forgiveness and a great reward.” [9]
Purification of the soul
An individual’s soul may become spiritually polluted by participating in haram practices. Giving up such pursuits for Allah’s sake might help cleanse the soul and promote spiritual clarity and purity.
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِى فَٱغْفِرْ لِى فَغَفَرَ لَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
“He pleaded, “My Lord! I have definitely wronged my soul, so forgive me.” So He forgave him, ˹for˺ He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [10]
Increased blessings in life
We become eligible for more incredible blessings when we give something up for Allah. Allah assures us that everything we sacrifice for Him will be replaced by something more significant, and this bounty and wealth in our life might take many different forms.
إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًۭا صَـٰلِحًۭا فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ ٱللَّهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ حَسَنَـٰتٍۢ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًۭا رَّحِيمًۭا
“As for those who repent, believe, and do good deeds, they are the ones whose evil deeds Allah will change into good deeds. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [11]
Strengthening of faith
We can increase our confidence and trust in Allah by avoiding doing anything prohibited. We come to depend on Allah and ask Him for aid and direction in our life, which might bring us closer to Him. Even the women of the Muslim ummah were guided to leave all haram acts to follow the provisions of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as an act of strengthening the faith. The major sign of faith is connected to leaving the haram actions and seeking repentance from Allah (SWT). It was stated in the Holy Quran that:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ إِذَا جَآءَكَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتُ يُبَايِعْنَكَ عَلَىٰٓ أَن لَّا يُشْرِكْنَ بِٱللَّهِ شَيْـًۭٔا وَلَا يَسْرِقْنَ وَلَا يَزْنِينَ وَلَا يَقْتُلْنَ أَوْلَـٰدَهُنَّ وَلَا يَأْتِينَ بِبُهْتَـٰنٍۢ
يَفْتَرِينَهُۥ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِنَّ وَأَرْجُلِهِنَّ وَلَا يَعْصِينَكَ فِى مَعْرُوفٍۢ ۙ فَبَايِعْهُنَّ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُنَّ ٱللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ
“O Prophet! When the believing women come to you, pledging to you that they will neither associate anything with Allah ˹in worship˺, nor steal, nor fornicate, nor kill their children, nor falsely attribute ˹illegitimate˺ children to their husbands, nor disobey you in what is right, then accept their pledge, and ask Allah to forgive them. Surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [12]
Freedom from guilt
Feelings of regret and guilt might result from participating in haram conduct. Giving up such pursuits helps alleviate negative emotions and promote inner tranquility and satisfaction. Because it is a constant struggle for a person to not indulge in haram, Allah guarantees rewards and His blessings. Allah (SWT) states that:
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا۟ وَجَـٰهَدُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يَرْجُونَ رَحْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ
“Surely those who have believed, emigrated, and struggled in the Way of Allah—they can hope for Allah’s mercy. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [13]
Setting a positive example
Setting an excellent example by deciding to give up something forbidden by Allah might inspire others to do the same. With our model, we may encourage and inspire people to improve their own lives and seek Allah’s favor.
What should we do if Haram is committed?
Being a human, we are full of emotions and temptations. For getting success in this Dunya as well as akhira, we should follow the teachings of Islam. But what if we commit something objectionable, what can we do? Should we repent of it or indulge in this act? Well, Islam is a flexible religion. It leverages us to turn back to Allah. Allah loves the act of repentance. In a hadith, it is said that:
“Ibn ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with them) said that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) effected separation between the two members of Banu al-‘Ajlan, and said:
Allah knows that one of you is a liar. Is there one to repent among you?” [14]
Allah gives us time and again chances to forgo the haram acts and repent from them. Allah loves a believer who has sinned and has repented. Allah’s mercy has no bounds, and this hadith shows us that even after haram deeds have had their course, there is time to turn away from the forbidden and towards Allah. Allah (SWT) has stated:
۞ وَسَارِعُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍۢ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
And hasten towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared for those mindful ˹of Allah˺. [15]
Conclusion
In conclusion, giving up something forbidden for Allah’s sake is gratifying and a test of our devotion to Allah and our faith. It calls for self-control, endurance, and a close bond with Allah. Yet when we make the correct decision and decide to follow Allah rather than give in to our wants, we are rewarded in this world and the next. Let’s pray that Allah will help us all to make the correct decisions and always seek His favor.
Follow our series, Time to Revive, to get a brief and straightforward explanation of Allah’s commandments so you can discover more courage and take steps to grow a stronger faith.
References
- Sahih al-Bukhari 242 : Book 4, Hadith 108
- No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health”.(www.euro.who.int. Retrieved 8 February 2023.)
- Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1352 : Book 15, Hadith 32
- Al-Quran (Surah Ali ‘Imran, 3:135—136)
- Al-Quran (Surah At-Talaq, 65:2-3).
- Sunan Ibn Majah 2144: Book 12, Hadith 8
- Sahih al-Bukhari 6953: Book 90, Hadith 1
- Al-Quran (Surah An-Nisa, 4:110)
- Al-Quran (Surah An-Nisa, 4:9)
- Al-Quran (Surah Al-Qasas, 28:16)
- Al-Quran (Surah Al-Furqan, 25:70)
- Al-Quran (Surah Al-Mumtahanah, 60:12)
- Al-Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:218)
- Sahih Muslim 1493d : Book 19, Hadith 7
- Al-Quran (Surah Ali ‘Imran, 3:133)
