The parable of those who disbelieve in their Lord is that their works are as ashes, on which the wind blows furiously on a stormy day, they shall not be able to get aught of what they have earned. That is the straying, far away (from the Right Path). (Ibrahim 14:18)
Allaah the Exalted has made resemblance between the actions of the Kuffar, concerning their futility, and lack of any benefit from them, and between ashes on which a severe wind blows on a stormy day.
So He, the Sublime, made resemblance between their nullified actions that go away in falsehood just like the scattered dust, due to their not being (based) upon a foundation of Imaan and Ihsaan, and due to their being for other than [the sake] of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, and upon other than His command (i.e. upon other than the Sunnah) - and between the ashes which the strong wind blows into the sky. So a person is not able to do anything with it during the time in which he is need of it (i.e. his actions on the Day of Judgement). And for this reason He said, "they shall not be able to get aught of what they have earned", they are not able (to attain anything) on the Day of Judgement from whatever they have earned of their actions. Hence, they do not see it having any effect in reward, and nor any benefit from it. For Allaah does not accept anything of action unless what is sincerely for His Face, and in agreement with His legislation.
And actions are of four types: One which is accepted and three that are rejected.
The accepted [action] is "al-khaalis as-sawaab" (pure and correct). Al-khaalis, is that it is for the sake of Allaah (alone) and not other than Him. And as-sawaab is that it is from that which Allaah has legislated upon the tongue of His Messenger.
And the three rejection [types of action] are whatever oppose this.
And in resembling these [rejected types of action] with ashes, there is a great profound secret. And this is due to the resemblance between their actions and between ashes in fuelling, igniting the fire (i.e. making it scorch). Hence, the actions which are [done] for other than Allaah, and are done upon other than His intent (i.e. the way they have been requested, upon His legislation), then they are the food of the Fire (to be destroyed by it), and it is by way of them that the Fire will roast its inhabitants.
And Allaah, the Sublime will bring about (more) fire and punishment from their false actions (within the Fire), just as He brings about bliss and pleasure for the people of actions that agree with His command and prohibition and which are purely for His sake alone. Hence, the Fire will effect their actions until it turns them to ashes. Hence, they, and their actions, and what they worship besides Allaah, are the fuel of the Fire. Translated from Tafseer al-Qayyim pp.326-327, (compiled by Muhammad Uways Nadwee, originally from I'laam al-Muwaqqi'een 1/204-205) for http://www.salafitalk.net/
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