Ruling on a Muslim seeking hardship to increase reward
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Does a Muslim intentionally seek hardship for the hadith: (Your reward is in proportion to your hardship)?
What do you say now if the water is hot and it is difficult for you: Is it better to perform wudu with hot water or with water that is comfortable? Which is more difficult? The hot water.
If one is in a state of major ritual impurity on winter nights, is it more comfortable for him to heat the water and perform the full ritual bath, or to perform the full ritual bath with cold water? Cold water is easier and better.The hadith says: (If you exert yourself in the 'Umrah), it was not said: Exert yourself in it.
Meaning: If you exert yourself in the 'Umrah and the effort increases, the reward is in proportion to the effort. For example, a person goes to the mosque and prays in congregation and gets somewhat tired, while another person goes easily. The first one is rewarded for his hardship.But we do not say: Do not seek hardship for yourself. In fact, seeking hardship for oneself is among the blameworthy matters. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As from fasting all the time and standing in prayer all night, because of the hardship involved.
And read the saying of Allah the Exalted:
[Al-Nisa: 147] As for: (Your reward is in proportion to your toil), the meaning is: if you exert yourself in your acts of worship, you have a reward for the toil. Like a person who performs tawaf when the area is spacious, and a person who performs tawaf with difficulty. The second one has a greater reward than the first.But we do not say: Wait until there is heavy crowding and then perform tawaf.
What do you say now if the water is hot and it is difficult for you: Is it better to perform wudu with hot water or with water that is comfortable? Which is more difficult? The hot water.
If one is in a state of major ritual impurity on winter nights, is it more comfortable for him to heat the water and perform the full ritual bath, or to perform the full ritual bath with cold water? Cold water is easier and better.The hadith says: (If you exert yourself in the 'Umrah), it was not said: Exert yourself in it.
Meaning: If you exert yourself in the 'Umrah and the effort increases, the reward is in proportion to the effort. For example, a person goes to the mosque and prays in congregation and gets somewhat tired, while another person goes easily. The first one is rewarded for his hardship.But we do not say: Do not seek hardship for yourself. In fact, seeking hardship for oneself is among the blameworthy matters. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As from fasting all the time and standing in prayer all night, because of the hardship involved.
And read the saying of Allah the Exalted: