13. NATURE OF TIME
Know that time is a variable and the conditions of life are frequently changing with no condition ever remaining stable. Allah said in the verse,
“And these days [of varying conditions] We alternate among the people” [Al-(Imran (3): 140]
This is why mankind sometimes experiences poverty (faqr), wealth (ghana), glory (‘az), humiliation (dhull), joy (f’arh) and sorrow (hamm). One day, you find the supporters of a man rejoicing for his happiness and the next day you find his enemies gloating for his calamity.
However, the person enraptured of fortunate is he who adheres to one core principle in all situations; righteousness and piety (taqwa). Because if he is content it will adorn him, if he is poor it will open for him the gates of forbearance (sabr). If he is safe from hardships it will make the grace of Allah be complete on him. If he is tested it will help him to overcome the hardships. He will neither be affected by the ease or hardships of time, nor be changed by the changes of his life condition because all life conditions never last and always change.
Fearing Allah (taqwa) is the basis of safety (salama), and is a sleepless guard that pulls you up whenever you fall or slip, helping you to never violate the laws of religion.
On the other hand, the condemned one is he who is deceived by a joy acquired sinfully. As this joy will leave him alone suffering a great loss.
It is for these reasons; you should bind to piety in all situations because with it you will be able to see ease in times of hardship and health in times of sickness.
These are the benefits of piety’ (taqwa) that you will reap in this life and the reward is known, which you shall receive in the Hereafter.
(Source: al-Hafiz Abu’l-Faraj ibn al-jawzl [d. 597AH] “CAPTURED THOUGHTS being” a translation of his masterpiece ‘Sayd al-K hatir)
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