Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … Allah, the Exalted, will grant him the ability to perform seven types of good deeds, but before these actually occur, He will make mention of his good reputation widespread among the people. In contrast, the situation is different for the person with whom Allah, the Exalted, is displeased. Daqaq says: Bishr Hafi passed by a gathering of people; when they saw him, they said: This man stands in prayer all night and breaks his fast only once every three days. Upon hearing this, Bishr Hafi began to weep and said: I do not even remember a single night in which I stood in prayer for the entire night, and whenever I fast, I break my fast that very evening. However, Allah, the Exalted, out of His grace and bounty, places in the hearts of people a perception of a servant’s deeds greater than the servant’s actual deeds.

With Allah, the Exalted, the faults and shortcomings of people can be concealed, but He does not allow the good deeds of His servants to remain hidden, even if they are performed in seclusion. When the biography of a servant of Allah is recorded, the writer brings all aspects of his life to public attention.