Word 29: The one who deeply thinks about his actions will find that those actions have Inner and outer.
Word 29: The one who deeply thinks about his actions will find that those actions have Inner and outer.
If we think deeply, we will realize that there is an inward and outward to our actions. Outward of our action is not stable and it will be destroyed by time but inward of our actions is stable and will be with us forever. For example, a table or chair is outward of a carpenter’s action, but the inward of the carpenter’s action is the skills that he gained. This is valid for all professions. When we do an action, its outward is not stable because of time but its inward becomes united with us, and with time it gains perfection. A drawing of a painter will be destroyed by time, but its skill will stay with him forever. So, each action has an inner and outer effect. The inner of our actions is kept within our Nafs, and they are united with us. So, every time we repeat a good or bad action, it becomes stronger in us, until it becomes our dominant attribute. If a person repeats helping people, this will be his dominant attribute such that if he leaves this action, he will be sad.
The action is like knowledge, and both are a substance (Johar, refer to chapter 5 of the Beginning and the End book for a detailed explanation). Meaning, we are our knowledge and actions. This body is just a tool for us to gain perfection while we live in this material world. In the Quranic sentence, this is called “The book of actions”. All of our good or bad deeds are united with us momentarily and we will see them when we become separated from the material world. Our souls will get shapes based on our knowledge and actions. This is why, in traditions, we have, “Whenever you did a bad deed, ask God for forgiveness (Istiqfar) before 7 hours”. This is because of removing the effect of the sin on our soul as soon as possible and it does not become our dominant attribute.
According to the Bible, Mary Magdalene was a prostitute and very beautiful. One day, the townspeople followed her to stone him. Mary Magdalene fled to Jesus. Jesus asked about the story of Mary’s followers, and they say that we want to stone her for her sins. Jesus said to do so but the first stone needs to be thrown by the one who has not sinned (Gospel of John – Chapter 8 – verses 1 to 11). This word of Jesus made them ashamed and scattered, and saved the life of Mary Magdalene, and from then she became one of the close companions of Prophet Jesus (PBUH). We should put a barrier between ourselves and our sins. If a person passes the barrier and sins, the bad deed is carved in the soul, and it becomes easier for him or her to do it again. As we said many times, our actions are united with us and in reality, we are our knowledge and actions.
All humans are born with the same pure soul. “So, devote yourself to the religion of monotheism—the natural instinct God has instilled in mankind. There is no altering God’s creation. This is the true religion, but most people do not know” (Ar-Rum:30). People know what is good and what is bad. “And inspired it with its wickedness and its righteousness. (8) Successful is he who purifies it. (9) Failing is he who corrupts it. (10)” (Ash-Shams:7-10). When people repeat bad actions, it becomes their instinct, and they see it as good. If we become angry so often, it will be within us forever and if we help other people, we will be able to do the next good deed much easier.
Imam Hussain (A) in Karbala said, “Am I not your prophet’s grandchild?” The enemies replied, “Yes”, Imam asked again, “Have I done any bad deeds?” The enemies replied, “No”, Imam asked again, “Have I changed any lawful action to unlawful action and vice-versa?” The enemies replied, “No”, Imam asked again, “Are my brother and I, not the princes of heaven based on Prophet Muhammad’s (S) word?”, The enemies replied, “Yes”. Imam (A) said, “Why do you want to kill me? Do you know why my advice cannot affect you? This is because of the unlawful foods in your stomach. “And remind, for the reminder benefits the believers” (Adh-Dhariyat:55). If you were a believer, it should affect your souls. It is not such that you are believers because of reciting the Holy Quran. “Perhaps some people that recite the Holy Quran and The Quran cursed them” (Hadith from Prophet Muhammad (S)). The remembrance of God needs to be our attribute and we should see him in all our actions. “Does he not know that God sees?” (Al-Alaq:14). The prophet Noah’s son was doing bad deeds until he becomes unrighteous action and that was the reason he did not listen to his father’s advice.
It is narrated in Nahj-al-Balagha book that someone said to Amir-al-Mu’minin, “I wish my brother was with us to see our victory over our enemies in the Jamal battle”. Imam Ali (A) replied, “Were your brother’s thoughts and heart with us?” He said, “Yes”. Imam (A) said, “So he was with us in this war, rather in this army of ours, even those children who are not born yet and still in the loins of men and wombs of women. Shortly, time will bring them out and faith will strength through them”.
Our inner actions become us. Human souls become heaven and hell. The fire or beautiful sceneries are within us. In the worldly life, fire and us are two different things but, in the hereafter, we see ourselves. “On that Day, no soul will be wronged in the least, and you will be recompensed only what you used to do” (Ya-Sin:54). A tradition says, “If you would like to marry a beautiful spouse in the hereafter or would like to be mindful of the light world, make other believers happy”. Meaning, when you do good actions, the good deed converted to a beautiful spouse for you”.
We should be very careful what we do, any good deeds such as small smiles to parents, friends or even helping animals affect our souls. “Whoever has done an atom’s weight of good will see it. (7) And whoever has done an atom’s weight of evil will see it. (8)” (Az-Zalzala:7-8). Mystics are the people who are careful about small actions and know that God sees them moment by moment.
Anyone who wants to make themselves good needs to be polite with people. Always think about death, we are going to leave soon, and do not be happy or angry in this worldly life.
“That you may not sorrow over what eludes you, nor exult over what He has given you. God does not love the proud snob” (Al-Hadid:23).
Amir Al-Mu’minin Ali (A) said, “you are not a heavenly person if you believe your shoelace is better than your friend. “That Home of the Hereafter – We assign it for those who seek no superiority on earth, nor corruption. And the outcome is for the cautious” (Al-Qasas:83).
O God, help us to be in the true path of you and your prophets and guardians.
Muhammad Mahdi Me’marian
All praise is to God to the extent that He deserves it.