OUR DEEDS ARE SEEN BY ALLAH, HIS MESSENGER AND THE BELIEVERS

Surah al-Tawbah Ayah 105 of the Glorious Qur’an says: “(Muhammad), tell them, “Act as you wish. Allah, His Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), and the Believers will see your deeds. You will be brought before the One who has absolute knowledge of the unseen and the seen. He will let you know about all that you have done.”

There is no doubt about Allah being Omnipresent to note every action of His creation in the whole Universe. The question arises about the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) in respect of seeing the actions of the people as a whole. The actions will be hidden as well as manifest. How could the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) if he be an ordinary mortal be equally vigilant and witness every action in the world. This Ayah reveals the extraordinary position of the divine personality of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). Who could be the “believers” to have an equal share in this unique divine quality along with the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). Naturally the persons referred to in this Ayah must be of equal purity and sanctity and the equal divinity of the souls. The following Ayahs refer to this: Ayah Tatheer (33:33), Surah al-Nisa Ayah 41: “How will it be when We call for a witness from every nation and have you, (Muhammad) testify against them all?” Suarh al-Nahl Ayah89: “On the day when We call a witness (the Imam) against every nation from their own people, We will call you, (Muhammad), as a witness to them all (A’immah).”

The word “believers” here does not include every believer or faithful. Similarly, all deeds means those deeds which were done openly and secretly. Acts committed openly are naturally seen by everyone. The very thought that our deeds are seen by Allah, His Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and “The Believers” (here denotes the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.)), has a very strong influence on the people and it should make them more conscious and careful.

It is reported that the Infallible Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (a.s.) said: “Why do you people make the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) unhappy?” When the people inquired about it, the Imam (a.s.) said: “Your deeds are presented to him. When he sees any of your sin-full deeds, he becomes unhappy. Hence, do not make him unhappy.”

The Infallible Imam Ali al-Reza (a.s.) said: “Your deeds are presented to me every day and night.” He referred to this Ayah of the Glorious Qur’an. He further said that the word “believers” referred to here means the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.), but as general rule “believers” means the Infallible Imams (a.s.)

According to Ayashi, the Infallible Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) said: “Whenever a believer or non-believer dies, before his burial, all his deeds are presented to the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), Imam Ali (a.s.) and all the Infallible Imams (a.s) and they are pleased to see good deeds but are unhappy to see sinful deeds. Hence, the lovers of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) should always be on guard for their deeds that it may not make them unhappy.” According to Tafsir Manar, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said: “If any one enters a hole in the stone, which has no window or door, still Allah will produce that deed. Hence avoid any act, when discovered by Allah, may cause embarrassment.”

All the traditions may be correct as the bottom line is that all our deeds are within the knowledge of Allah, His Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), and the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.). Islam’s philosophy is to prevent the commission of any sinfull activities. As the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) said: “Prevention is better than cure”

According to Tafsir-e-Burhan, Tafsi-e-Safi, Usul-e-Kafi (v. 1 page 171, and Bihar-ul-Anwar by Allama Majlisi, Allah will make aware the Infallible Imams of our deeds.

Sources used:

The Holy Qur’an, The Final Testament, Text, Translation and Commentary by S.V.Mir Ahmed Ali and Ayatullah Agha H.M.M. Pooya Yazdi

An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur’an

Tafsir Anwar-ul-Najaf by Allama Husayn Bakhsh Jara

Tafsi-e-Namoona by Ayatullah Nasir Makaram Shirazi