THE ENDURING TREASURES
The real treasures are those that one takes with him to the Hereafter. Islam, Eemaan (faith), righteous deeds, Jihad (struggling or fighting in the cause of Allah), and repentance are all examples of such enduring treasures:
(It is not piety that you turn your faces towards east or west [in prayers]. Piety is [the quality of] the one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, the Prophets and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it. [Who gives it] to the kinsfolk, to the orphans, to the poor; to the wayfarer: to those who ask and to set slaves free. [Piety is also the quality of the one who] performs the prayer and gives the alms charity; and who fulfill their covenant when they make it, and who are patient in extreme poverty and ailment [disease] and at the time of fighting [during the battles]. Such are the people of the truth and they are Al-Muttaqoon [the pious and righteous persons].) (Qur’an 2: 177)
DETERMINATION CAN OVERCOME INSURMOUNTABLE BARRIERS
When someone is possessed of great determination, he can, by the will of Allah, climb to great heights of virtue.
Among the characteristics of a Muslim is that he not only has high and noble aims, but also has strong determination, because determination is the fuel that propels one to higher virtues.
And determination —- by the will of Allah — will bring great good to you. People will see you as one who is learning, doing good deeds, working for higher aims — or basically, one who is achieving.
Do not, however, fall into the error of confusing determination with arrogance. Between the two lies a distance as great as that between the sky and earth. When one has strong determination, one rues every missed opportunity, and therefore he is one who is constantly goading himself on to reach his goal.
Strong determination is a characteristic of those that are righteous, just, and sincere, while arrogance is a sickness that is predominant among tyrants and wretched people.
Determination carries one upwards, while arrogance makes one fall, dragging its victim down to the depths of ignominy. O’ students of knowledge, remain steadfast and resolute in the path that you are upon, and do not falter.
READING IN ORDER TO LEARN WISDOM
An activity that brings joy to the soul is to read and contemplate the sayings of the wise, the foremost of them being Prophet Muhammad (bpuh). Others can in no way be compared to him, for he was supported by revelation, confirmed by miracles, and sent to us with clear signs.
AND WHEN I AM ILL, IT IS HE WHO CURES ME
(‘And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me.) (Qur’an 26: 80)
Here are some bits of advice that have been passed down to us from the wise regarding different issues.
Abqaraat said:
“Stay healthy longer by working hard, by avoiding laziness, by abjuring drinking, and by refraining from eating too much.”
Some of the wise said:
“Whoever wants health should eat properly and well. He should drink water moderately. Lying down after eating lunch and walking after dinner are recommended. And one should be wary about taking a shower right after filling oneself with food.”
Al-Haarith said:
“Whoever wants to stay —and there is no true stay (meaning life is transient and will come to an end) — should eat lunch and dinner early.”
Plato said:
“Five things weaken the body, and at times can even prove to be fatal: to be poor, to part with loved ones, to drink sour things, to refuse advice, and to not only be ignorant, but to also laugh at the wise.”
Four things weaken the body: talking too much, sleeping too much, eating too much, and engaging in sexual intercourse too frequently. Talking too much weakens the strength and sharpness of the mind and makes one age faster. Sleeping too much blinds the heart, making one lazy and callous. Having intercourse too often weakens one’s strength and has harmful effects upon the body in general.
Four things destroy the body: anxiety, grief, hunger, and sleeplessness.
Four things bring serenity to the heart: to look at greenery, to look at flowing water, to see a loved one, and to gaze at fruits upon the trees.
Four things weaken one’s eyesight: walking barefoot, having a frown on one’s face early in the morning and before going to sleep, crying frequently, and reading words in small print.
Four things strengthen the body: wearing soft clothing, taking a shower using water of a moderate temperature, eating sweet and rich foods, and smelling pleasant odors.
Four things take the mirth and freshness out of one’s face: lying, insolence, asking too many questions imprudently, and perpetrating evil deeds frequently.
Four things bring light and mirth to one’s face: a sense of honor, fulfilling one’s commitments, generosity, and piety.
Four things make others abhor and loathe you: arrogance, jealousy, lying, and spreading false rumors about others.
Four things make sustenance come to you freely: standing up at night to pray, making repentance late in the night, giving charity habitually, and remembering Allah in the first and last part of the day.
Four things prevent sustenance from coming to you: sleeping in the morning, not praying frequently, laziness, and treachery.
Four things weaken one’s mind and understanding: constantly eating sour foods and fruit, sleeping on one’s back, worrying, and feeling anxious.
Four things help one to improve one’s understanding: having a light heart, not overfilling oneself with food and drink, adding sweet and rich foods in moderation to one’s diet, and getting rid of extra body fat.
TAKE YOUR PRECAUTIONS
In all facets of life, one should take precautions and study the possible outcomes of every action, because by being careful, one will have no cause for future self-recrimination. If the results of one’s endeavors are good, one should thank and praise Allah. If the results of one’s endeavors are not so good, one should say, “Allah has made His decree and whatever He pleases, He does.”
VERIFY THE FACTS YOURSELF
The judicious person is he who, when hearing some news, does not hurry into judgment based merely on what he hears. Instead, he verifies and authenticates what he hears; he thinks things over and he consults with wiser and more experienced people. It has been rightly said that to err by forgiving someone is better than to err by punishing him.
(And afterwards you become regretful for what you have done.)
(Qur’an 49: 6)
RESOLVE TO DO SOMETHING AND THEN DO IT
Everything I have written in this book — including verses from the Qur’an, sayings from the Prophet (bpuh), verses of poetry, stories, and sayings of the wise — calls you to start a new life, a life filled with hope of a good and blessed ending. However, you will not be able to benefit from this book without true determination, strong resolve, and a sincere desire to rid yourself of sadness, anxiety, and nervousness. And you will do well to remember that Allah singled out those Messengers that had a strong will:
(Therefore be patient [O` Muhammad] as did the Messengers of strong will…) (Quran 46: 35)
Adam (may peace be upon him) was not from them.
(….. but he forgot, and we found on his part no firm will-power)
(Qur’an 20: 115)
And so is the case with his sons. To imitate one’s father is not wrong, but one should not follow him into sin on the one hand, without following him in repentance on the other. And it is Allah alone who helps us.
THE LIFE OF THIS WORLD
One’s welfare in the Hereafter hinges upon how one conducts oneself in this life. It is imperative for every person to bear in mind the link between this life and the next, for some have wrongly thought that there is only this world; they spend their time gathering things and becoming attached to this life, a life that is fleeting. Then they die with their wishes and aspirations in their chests, unfulfilled and forgotten.
Sometimes l am amazed at our long-term hopes in this world —- at our future expectations for a life in which one may die at any moment:
(No person knows what he will earn tomorrow; and no person knows in what land he will die) (Quran 31: 34)
Ask yourself these questions:
Do you really suppose that you will find peace and tranquility while you are not pleased with your Lord or with His decree, and while you are discontented with your sustenance and your talents?
Have you thanked your Lord properly for His blessings and favors, to the point that you deserve to ask for other favors? Whoever is incapable of handling a little is more than likely unable to handle a lot.
Why do we not benefit from those talents that Allah has given us, failing as we do to develop and cultivate them? Had we used those talents, we could have given to others and contributed to society.
Positive qualities and talents are often buried deep within us. Yet in so many of us, these talents are buried like expensive minerals underground — minerals that only the expert can mine, wash, and polish, making them shine. Therefore, our task lies in mining for our talents and then developing them.
HIDING FROM EVIL IS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION
I read the book Al-Mutawaareen, by ‘AbduI-Ghani al-Azdi. An interesting book, it relates the stories of those who went into hiding because they feared being captured and taken to Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf; the ruthless despot of his time.
Abu ‘Umar ibn al-‘Ulaa said of his difficulties, “When Al-Hajjaj threatened me, I fled to Yemen and stayed in a house in As-Sana’a.
At night, I would sit on the roof; during the day I remained concealed inside.” One night, while on the roof, he heard a man recite:
“Perhaps the soul is terrified and troubled by a matter, For which there is a solution like the untying of a knot.”
Abu ‘Umar further said, “When the man said ‘solution’, I felt a spark of hope and became happy. Then I heard another man explain the words of the first by announcing that Al-Hajjaj had died. By Allah, I don’t know which of the two things made me joyful: the word ‘solution’, or the words, ‘Hajjaj has died’.”
There is only one decision that is binding and must come forth into existence, and that is the decision of the One in Whose Hand is the control of the heavens and the earth.
(Every day He has a matter to bring forth [such as giving honor to some, disgrace to some, life to some, death to some, etc.]!) (Qur’an 55: 29)
Al-Hasan al-Basri also had to hide from Al-Hajjaj. When the news came of the latter’s death, Al-Hasan thanked Allah by prostrating to Him.
(And the heavens and the earth wept not for them, nor were they given a respite.) (Qur’an 44: 29)
Ibraheem an-Nakha’ee was yet another who went into hiding because of Al-Hajjaj. When the news of Al-Hajjaj’s death came to him, he wept tears of joy and said:
“Joy has overcome me to the point that from the greatness of what caused me joy, I was made to cry.”
(And we have made some of you as a trial for others: will you have patience? And your Lord is Ever All-Seer (of everything).)
(Qur’an 25: 20)
On one occasion, a bird called Al-Hummarah flapped its wings and flew over the head of the Messenger of Allah (bpuh). It was complaining against someone; the Messenger of Allah (bpuh) said:
“Who has tormented this one by (taking its) chicks? Return to it its chicks.”
Commenting on this, someone said:
“A pigeon came to you with hope in you, Complaining with a disturbed and trembling heart, who was it that informed it that your place is a sanctuary, and that you are a shelter for the wronged.”
Sa’eed ibn Jubayr said, “By Allah, I continued to flee from Al-Hajjaj for a period of time until I felt ashamed.” Shortly after saying this, he was brought before Al-Hajjaj. When the sword was unsheathed and was raised over his head, he smiled. Alâ-Hajjaj asked,
“Why are you smiling?” He answered, “While I was in (deep) reflection, a thought entered my mind; I became amazed at your impudence towards Allah and at His Mercy towards you.” To put things in that light while being in those circumstances showed a great deal of fortitude, faith, and trust in Allah’s promise!
REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH THE MOST MERCIFUL
The following hadith moved me deeply when I read it, and I should not be surprised if it has the same effect upon you. Ahmad, Abu Ya’la, Al-Bazzar, and At-Tabaraani all related the following:
“Leaning on a cane, an old man came to the Prophet (bpuh) and said, ‘O’ Messenger of Allah, I have perpetrated treacherous and wicked deeds. Will I be forgiven?’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Do you bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah?’ The man said, ‘Yes, O’ Messenger of Allah.’ The Prophet said: ‘Verily, Allah has forgiven you for your treacherous and wicked deeds.’ The man departed and said, ‘Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.’”
There are certain conclusions, or facts if you will, that one should take away from this hadith. One of them is the vastness of Allah’s Mercy. Another is that accepting Islam or making repentance wipes out past sins. Yet another is this: mountains of sins are nothing compared to the forgiveness of the One Who knows everything. And finally, it is imperative for you to have a good opinion of your Lord along with being hopeful of His comprehensive generosity and His far-reaching mercy.
Source: Islam Basics By Aaidh ibn Abdullah Al-Qarnee
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