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Ibn al-Jawzi (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: “If one reforms his inner self, the fragrance of his benevolence will exude, and people’s hearts will smell his good scent. How important our inner selves are! When an inner self is corrupt, the good outside will be of no avail.”
Abu Hafs al-Naysābūri (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: “If you sit to address a gathering of people, be a preacher of your own heart and self and do not get deceived by their gathering around you. They watch your outside, while Allah watches over your inside.”
One of the highest ranks of the believers in the sight of Allah is the constant feeling that He always watches over us. Praising His sublime essence, Allah Almighty says: {...For Allah is ever Watchful over you.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 1]
Our Lord watches over our innermost thoughts and feelings, and He is the Preserver from Whose knowledge nothing escapes.
He is the All-Knowing of what lies within our inner selves and consciences and watches over our glances and will hold every person accountable for what he or she does.
Our Lord is Ever-Watchful and He records the deeds of His servants.
He is Ever-Watchful and Preserving. He preserves His creation and directs its affairs in the best and most perfect manner.
Indeed, He is Ever-Watchful over our thoughts and glances; then what about our deeds and movements?!
{...Nothing is hidden from your Lord, not even an atom’s weight on earth nor in heaven, nor anything smaller or greater than that, except that it is [written] in a clear Record.} [Surat Yūnus: 61] He is All-Knowing of the conditions and fluctuations of His servants day and night, and all their affairs, open and secret.
The Ever-Watchful Lord hears, sees, and knows everything, even our innermost thoughts before we utter or write them down.
His absolute knowledge encompasses all that exists and His absolute awareness encompasses all created beings. Nothing escapes His knowledge or awareness. All secrets and hidden things are not hidden from the Ever-Watchful. Indeed, to Him, secrets and open things are all the same.
It is reported that a man came to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, recite to me a comprehensive surah.” The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) recited to him Surat az-Zalzalah. When he finished it, the man said: “By the One Who sent you with the truth, I will never add anything to that.”
Then, when the man turned his back and left, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “This little man has succeeded.” [Al-Mustadrak; It was graded Sahīh (authentic) by Al-Hākim and Al-Dhahabi]
Sa‘sa‘ah ibn Mu‘āwiyah came to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and recited to him: {So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.} [Surat az-Zalzalah: 7-8] Thereupon, he said: “That is enough for me! I do not mind if I would not hear anything other than this.” [Narrated by Ahmad; It was graded Hasan (sound) by Al-Arnā’ūt]
One single verse could give a person a good understanding and make him close to his Lord each time he recites it and acts upon it: {...For Allah is ever Watchful over you.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 1]
The believer knows that Allah Almighty watches over him and sees him in all situations. He, thus, watches over his own breaths, performs his deeds sincerely for Allah’s sake, and heeds Him in whatever he does. He always remembers that Allah is Ever-Watchful over him and so he reaches the level of Ihsān (excellence). {Say, “Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are all for Allah, Lord of the worlds.} [Surat al-An‘ām: 162]
Scholars stated that one of the best acts of obedience is to constantly heed Allah Almighty, the Ever-Watchful.
The more one is heedful of Allah Almighty in his life, the more he enjoys Allah’s company.
So, heed your Lord before and during worship, when you engage in permissible things, and when you commit sins.
Before worship, heed Him by considering your intention and making it sincere for Him. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “And every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
During worship, continue to heed Him and be certain that you do what you do sincerely for His sake.
And when you engage in permissible things, heed Him by showing politeness and gratitude to Him for His favors.
And when you are about to commit a sin, you should heed Allah Almighty by refraining from the sin and not violating the limits set by Him. The believer quickly turns to his Lord in repentance and does not persist in sinning. {And hasten towards forgiveness from your Lord...} [Surat Ᾱl ‘Imrān: 133]
If you heed Allah Almighty in those four situations, this will yield relief and pleasure within your heart.
When Allah Almighty says: {...For Allah is Ever-Watchful over you.} [Surat an-Nisā’: 1] And when He says: {...And Allah is Ever-Watchful over all things.} [Surat al-Ahzāb: 52], He actually seems to tell us the following: My servant, do you think that if you manage to conceal your sins from people, you can also manage to escape from Me?
This speech becomes even more relevant in this time of ours, in which temptations are prevalent and easy to reach.
It is said that the most effective factor in building a person’s character is “heedfulness of Allah Almighty” and the strongest factor in destroying a person’s character is “heedfulness of people”.
If you get into seclusion and become alone, do not say: I am alone.
Rather say: My Lord is Ever-Watchful over me.
O Allah, we implore You by Your name “Ar-Raqīb” to make us among Your close servants who fear You at all times, in public and in secret. O Allah, make us moderate in poverty and in richness, and make us just at times of anger and content.