It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Ukeem that he said: Hazrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) delivered a sermon to us and said: "Amma ba'd! Indeed, I advise you to fear Allah, the Exalted. And I advise you to praise Allah in the manner He deserves to be praised, and that you combine fear with longing, and that you combine earnest clinging with supplication. For Allah, the Exalted, has praised Hazrat Zakariya and his household. He said: {إنَّہُمْ کَانُوا یُسَارِعُونَ فِی الْخَیْرَاتِ وَیَدْعُونَنَا رَغَبًا وَرَہَبًا وَکَانُوا لَنَا خَاشِعِینَ } O servants of Allah! Then know this: Surely Allah, the Exalted, has held your souls in pledge for His right, and has taken firm covenants from you. And Allah, the Exalted, has purchased from you that which is little and perishable in exchange for that which is much and everlasting. This is the Book of Allah among you. Its wonders do not cease, nor does its light extinguish. So affirm the truth of His speech, and take admonition from His Book, and seek insight from it in the days of darkness. Allah, the Exalted, has created you only for worship, and has appointed the noble scribes over you. They know what you do. O servants of Allah! Then know this: You are spending your mornings and evenings in a respite, the knowledge of which is hidden from you. If you are able that your periods of respite end while you are engaged in the work of Allah, then do so. And you cannot do this except with the help of Allah. So hasten in the present moments of your respite, before your lives are completed and you are returned to your evil deeds. Surely, some people have devoted their times to others and have forgotten their own souls, but I forbid you from becoming like them. So hasten! So hasten! Salvation, salvation! For behind you is a swift pursuer whose passage is very swift."