Righteous Fear vs. Sinful Delusion
It is reported that Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣrī – Allāh have mercy on him – said:
The believer does the best deeds yet is most fearful [that his deeds will not be accepted]. If he were to spend a mountain of wealth [in charity], he would not feel sure [of the reward] until he sees it. The more righteous and pious he becomes, the more he fears. But the hypocrite (munāfiq) says, ‘There are so many people, I will be forgiven, no problem.’ So he does wrong and evil deeds, yet holds foolish wishes about Allāh. Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā` 4:586.
Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā`
Also read
Related sayings.
It is reported that Al-Hasan Al-Basrī – Allāh have mercy on him – said: Four signs of wretchedness are: [having] a hard heart, dry eyes [that never cry], extended hopes [about this life], and greed and keenness to amass worldly things (the dunyā). Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Kitāb Al-Zuhd article 36.
People are only ever equal when they are all as ignorant as each other or as bad as each other.