"Fear Allaah, 0 Umar!
Take note that Allaah has some acts (owing to Him) during the night that He does not accept during the day and some acts (owing to Him) during the day that He does not accept during the night. Also note that Allaah does not accept Nafl acts until the Faraa'idh are fulfilled.
The scales of those with heavy scales on the Day of Qiyaamah have only become heavy because they have always followed the truth in this world and have had high regard for it. It is also the right of a scale in which the truth is placed tomorrow that it should weigh heavily. On the other hand, the scales of those with light scales on the Day of Qiyaamah have only become light because they have always followed falsehood in this world and have made light of it. It is also the right of a scale in which falsehood is placed tomorrow that it should weigh lightly.
Where Allaah has made mention of the people of Jannah, He has mentioned the best of their deeds and overlooked their sins. Whenever I think of them, I say, 'I fear that I may never join them.' Wherever Allaah has also made mention of the people of Jahannam, He has mentioned them by the worst of their actions and rejected their good deeds. Whenever I think of them, I say, 'I fear that I may be from amongst them.'
Allaah has mentioned verses of mercy and verses of punishment so that Allaah's servant should become hopeful (of Allah's mercy) and fearful (of His punishment). Never entertain false hopes in Allaah (by continuing with sin in the hope that you would be forgiven) but also never lose hope in Allaah's mercy. Never throw yourself into destruction by the doings of your own hands.
If you remember this advice of mine, there will never be an unseen thing more beloved to you than death, which will certainly come to you. However, if you put it to waste, there will never be an unseen thing more hated to you than death, which you will never be able to escape."
Ibn Mubaarak, Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hannaad, Ib'n Jareer and Abu Nu'aym in his Hilya, as quoted in Muntakhab Kanzul Ummaal (Vol4 Pg.363).
(From Hayatus Sahabah by Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Khandhlawi)
