Question
Is this a reliable tradition? Can you also provide an explanatory translation
عن الحسن قال: قال لقمان لابنه رضي الله عنهما: يا بني العمل لا يستطاع إلا باليقين , ومن يضعف يقينه يضعف عمله , قال: وقال لقمان لابنه: ” يا بني: إذا جاءك الشيطان من قبل الشك والريبة فاغلبه باليقين والصحة , وإذا جاءك من قبل الكسل والسآمة فاغلبه بذكر القبر والضمة , وإذا جاء من قبل الرغبة والرهبة فأخبره أن الدنيا مفارقة ومتروكة
Answer
Imam Bakr ibn Abid Dunya (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration on the authority of Hasan Al Basri (rahimahullah).
(Kitabul Yaqin, Hadith: 30)
You may quote this advice of Luqman Al Hakim (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
Translation
Hasan Al Basri (rahimahullah) said:
“Luqman (radiyallahu ‘anhu) advised his son, ‘O my son, [Good] deeds can only be carried out if there is conviction [in Allah and in receiving rewards for carrying them out]. Whoever is lacking in conviction, will slacken in carrying out good deeds. Luqman (radiyallahu ‘anhu) also said, ‘O my son, When Shaytan tries to cause you to doubt then overpower him with certainty and [sound conviction], when he tries to make you lazy and tired, then overpower him by remembering the grave and the squeeze of the grave, and when he tries to [attack you] by demotivating you and making you afraid, then inform him that the world is departing and will be abandoned.'”
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar