THE INBORN DISPOSITION UPON WHICH WE WERE CREATED
When the wind blows violently and the thunder roars and darkness permeates the sky, man’s inherent need to turn to Allah for help awakes from its slumber.
(Then comes a stormy wind and the waves come to them from all sides, and they think that they are encircled therein, they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him Alone…) (Qur’an 10: 22)
Except that the Muslim invokes his Lord in times of ease and prosperity as well as in times of hardship and difficulty.
(Had he not been of them who glorify Allah, He would have indeed remained inside of its belly [the fish] till the Day of Resurrection.) (Qur’an 37: l43-l44)
Most people ask Allah in times of need, and when their hopes are fulfilled, they turn away their backs proudly. Do they think that Allah is to be deceived!
(Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He Who deceives them.) (Qur’an 4: 142)
Those who turn to Allah only during times of calamity are in that regard students of the deviant Fir’aun. It was said to him when it was too late:
(Now [you believe] while you refused to believe before and you were one of the evil-doers.) (Qur’an 10: 91)
I heard on BBC radio that when Iraq occupied Kuwait, Margaret Thatcher, who was in Colorado at the time, quickly rushed to church and prostrated!
The only explanation that I can think of is that her inborn nature awoke, and she turned to her Creator in spite of her disbelief and misguidance. People have something inherent in them, which makes them believe in Allah.
“Every baby is born on the Fitrah (the natural and inborn disposition to believe in Allah and accept Islam).
Then, his parents make him into a Jew, a Christian or a Majousi (Magian).”
WHATEVER IS WRITTEN FOR YOU WILL UNERRINGLY COME TO YOU
A person who is impatient about his sustenance, worried about why he has so little, and unsatisfied at being lower than others in worldly status is like one who precedes the Imam when going from one stage of prayer to the next. At the end, he cannot make Salaams (the final action that makes the prayer complete) until after the Imam has done so. Similarly, one does not die until he receives all of the provision that was decreed for him. Sustenance and provision were preordained and decided upon fifty thousand years before the creation was created.
(The Event ordained by Allah will come to pass, so seek not to hasten it.) (Qur’an 16: 1)
(And if He intends any good for you there is none who can repel His Favor…) (Quran 10: 107)
‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“O’ Allah, I seek refuge in you from the stamina of the wicked person and from the feebleness that accompanies (a false) confidence?
This phrase has a very significant meaning. As I contemplated key events in history, I found that many of Allah’s enemies had prodigious levels of fortitude, hardiness, and perseverance. In contrast, I found that many Muslims were insipid, lethargic, and feeble, all the while thinking — and falsely so — that they were putting their trust in Allah. A true trust in Allah requires striving and working, and then leaving the results to Allah.
WORK HARD FOR THE FRUITFUL END
Al-Waleed ibn Mughirah, Umayyah ibn Khallaf, and Al-‘Aas ibn Waa’il spent liberally from their wealth in the tight against Islam and its adherents.
(And so will they continue to spend it; but in the end it will become anguish for them. Then they will be overcome) (Qur’an 8: 36)
Yet many Muslims are miserly, hoarding their wealth and keeping themselves aloof from good causes.
(And whoever is niggardly it is only at the expense of his own self) (Qur’an 47: 38)
In Golda Mayer’s memoirs, Malice, the Jewish writer said that at one stage in her life she would work sixteen hours continuously without breaks. But for what end did she strive? It was to serve her false principles and deviant ideas. She toiled until she and Ben Gurion established a country.
I then reflected on the thousands of Muslims that will not work even for a single hour a day. Instead it is playing, eating, drinking, sleeping, and wasting time.
(What is the matter with you, that when you are asked to march forth in the Cause of Allah [i.e. Jihad] you cling heavily to the earth?) (Quran 9: 38)
‘Umar was steadfast in working day and night and he would sleep but a little. His family asked, “Do you not sleep?” He replied,
“If I sleep at night, my soul will be lost (meaning that he spent his nights in worship) and if I sleep during the day, my people (citizens) will be lost (as Caliph, he spent his days taking care of the peoples’ affairs).”
The memoirs of the Assassin Moshe Dayan, The Sword and Rule, is replete with accounts of how he flew from one country to another, day and night, attending meetings and conferences, always making deals and pacts. I thought what a shame it was that a person that seemed more akin to pigs and apes than to mankind displayed such extraordinary fortitude. To complete this somber thought, I reflected on the feebleness and incapability of so many Muslims.
Here again I remembered ‘Umar’s words about the stamina of the evildoer and the feebleness of self-assurance.
Under the aegis of ‘Umar’s rule, indolence and inactivity were not tolerated. He once evicted some youths that lived in the Mosque. He chastised them with blows and said, “Go out and seek sustenance, for the sky does not send down rain of gold or silver.” Laziness begets worry, depression, and manifold illnesses, while activity and work beget satisfaction and happiness. If each one of us does what he is supposed to do, all of the above-mentioned maladies can be eradicated, and our society will benefit from an increase in productivity and development.
And say: ‘Do deeds! (Quran 9: 105)
(…you may disperse through the land) (Qur’an 62: 10)
(Race one with another in hastening towards Forgiveness from your Lord [Allah], and towards Paradise….) (Quran 57: 21)
(And march forth in the way [which leads to] forgiveness from your Lord and for Paradise…..) (Quran 3: I 33)
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said,
“Verily, the Prophet Dawood would eat from the labor of his hands.”
Though it might seem to be a paradox, many people are dead despite the fact that they are alive. They have no clue as to the purpose of life, and they do nothing for themselves or for others.
(They are content to be with those [the women] who sit behind [at home].) (Qur’an 9: 87)
(Not equal are those of the believers who sit [at home], except those who are disabled [by injury or are blind or lame, etc.], and those who strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allah…) (Qur’an 4: 95)
The dark-skinned woman who cleaned the Prophet’s Mosque played out her role in life with alacrity and a sense of purpose. And as a result she entered Paradise.
(And indeed a slave woman who believes is better than a [free] Mushrikah [idolatress, etc.], even though she pleases you.) (Qur’an 2: 221)
Similarly, the boy who made the pulpit for the Prophet (bpuh) contributed according to his abilities, and for that he earned his reward. His talents were in carpentry and he took advantage of those talents.
(…and those who could not find to give charity [in Allah s Cause] except what is available to them…) (Qur’an 9: 79)
In a move that expanded the opportunities for the call to Islam, the American Government opened the doors for Muslim preachers to visit prisons in order to teach prisoners about Islam. The apparent reason or motive was that those criminals, drug-dealers, and murderers who accept Islam during their stay in prison re-enter society as productive and good members.
(is he who was dead [without Faith by ignorance and disbelief and We gave him life [by knowledge and Faith] and set for him a light [of Belief] whereby he can walk amongst men, like him who is in the darkness (of disbelief polytheism and hypocrisy)…) (Qur’an 6: 122)
An extreme attachment to this life, the yearning to live long, and an abhorrence of death that goes beyond normal limits — these all result in anxiety, worry and sleeplessness.
Allah blamed the Jews for their strong attachment to the life of this world.
(And verily you will find them [the Jews] the greediest of mankind for life and (even greedier) than those who ascribe partners to Allah. Every one of them wishes that he could be given a life of a thousand years. But the grant of such life will not save him even a little from [due] punishment. And Allah is All-Seer of what they do) (Qur’an 2: 96)
Regarding this verse, there are some important issues that we need to discuss. First, Allah mentioned that every one of them wishes for a long life. ln other words, no matter what the quality of the life they lead, regardless of whether they lead a life that is worthless and trivial or not, they have strong aspirations to stay in this world for a long time. _
Second, there is the choice of the words “one thousand years.”
Perhaps the reason for this stems from the tradition of Jews that when they would meet each other, their greeting was, “Live for a thousand years.” Allah reproached them for desiring such a long life. And yet, suppose that they did live for one thousand years, what would be their end? lt would still be the scorching Fire!
(But surely the torment of the Hereafter will be more disgracing, and they will never be helped.) (Qur’an 41: I6)
And the following is a common Arab saying:
“No worries, and supplication is to Allah.”
This means that, since Allah above is the One Whom we ask for good, why should we worry. lf you put your trust in Allah concerning your worries, He will remove them from you.
(Is not He [better than your gods] who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and who removes the evil… ) (Qur’an 2 7: 62)
(And when my slaves ask you [O’ Muhammad] concerning me, then [answer them], I am indeed near [to them by My Knowledge]. I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on me [without any mediator or intercessor].) (Qur’an 2: 186)
An Arab poet said:
“The patient one is worthy of achieving his goal, and the one addicted to knocking on doors is worthy of entering.”
YOUR LIFE IS REPLETE WITH PRICELESS MOMENTS
‘Ali at-Tantawi related two poignant experiences in his journals. The first was when he almost drowned on the shores of Beirut. He was drowning and time was running out for him when he was finally rescued and carried unconscious to land. ln the brief moments of struggle before losing consciousness he recalls his utter submission to his Lord and his wish of returning to life, even if it was for an hour, to renew his faith, to do good deeds, and to try to reach the pinnacle of belief
The second instance was when he accompanied a caravan traveling from Syria to Makkah. While in the desert of Tabook, they lost their way and wandered aimlessly for three days. Their situation worsened when their supply of food and drink began to run out.
Everyone felt that death might very well be imminent. At this point, he stood up and gave a speech to the people: it was tantamount to a farewell speech to life. It was a heartfelt sermon that moved both himself and his audience to tears. He felt his faith increase and he truly felt that none could save or help them except Allah, the Exalted, the All-High.
(Whoever is in the heavens and on earth begs of Him [its needs from Him]. 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. ].1)
(Quran 55: 29)
(And many a Prophet fought [in Allah Is cause] and along with him [fought] large bands of religious learned men. But they never lost heart for that which did befall them in Allah’s Way nor did they weaken nor degrade themselves. And Allah loves the patient ones) (Quran 3: 146)
Verily, Allah loves those strong believers who challenge their enemies with patience and stamina. They don’t give up, feel hopeless, or allow themselves to be humiliated at the hands of others. Instead, they struggle, strive, and toil. And these are the taxes that a believer must pay for the ultimate property in this world: faith in Allah, His Messenger, and His religion.
“The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer. And in each of them there is good”
Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) inserted one of his fingers into a crevice of the cave in order to protect the Prophet (bpuh) from a scorpion, and he himself was bitten in the process. The Prophet (bpuh) read upon him some Qur’anic verses and he became cured by the permission of Allah.
A man asked ‘Antara, “What is the secret to your bravery, for you are known for your ability to overpower men?” He replied, “Put your finger in my mouth and let me put mine in yours.” Each put his finger into the mouth of the other and each one of them began to bite the finger of the other, slowly increasing in intensity. Within a very short span of time, the man could hold out no longer and he let out a shrill scream, and so ‘Antara loosened the hold his jaws had on the man’s finger. ‘Antara said, “This is how I overpower champions”: in other words, with patience and forbearance.
A believer’s spirits are raised when he appreciates that he is in close proximity of Allah’s Mercy, Kindness, and Forgiveness. He feels Allah’s protection and care with an intensity of feeling that is proportionate to his belief
(And there is riot a thing but glorifies His Praise. But you understand not their glorification.) (Qur’an 17: 44)
Farmers in this country sometimes pass their time while sowing the earth by chanting:
“A dry seed, in a dry country in Your Hands, O’ Creator of the heavens and the earth.”
(Tell Me! The seed that you sow in the ground. Is it you that make it grow or are we the Grower?) (Qur’an 56: 63-64)
The eloquent orator ‘Abdul Hameed Kiskh, who was blind, ascended the podium to give a sermon. He took a date-palm tree leaf out of his pocket and on it was written “Allah” in beautiful writing. He then proclaimed to the congregation:
“Look at that tree, with its fresh branches, Who made it grow?
And decorated it with green?
He is Allah, Who is All-Powerful, All-Capable.”
Those who attended the sermon broke out into tears.
He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. His signs are imprinted throughout the universe and all of creation pronounces Him to be the Creator. the One with perfect qualities, and the only One Who deserves to be worshiped.
(Our Lord! You have not created [all] this without purpose, glory to You!)
(Quran 3: 191)
Among the pillars of happiness is to know that our Lord is merciful and forgives the faults of the one who repents. S0 rejoice in your Lord’s mercy, a mercy that encompasses the heavens and the earth. Allah, the Almighty, says:
(My Mercy embraces all things.) (Qur’an 7: 156)
How tremendous is Allah’s kindness! In an authentic hadith, it is related that a Desert Arab prayed with the Prophet (bpuh), and when they reached the end of the prayer, the man said:
“O’ Allah, be merciful to me and to Muhammad, and don’t be merciful to anyone other than us.”
The Prophet (bpuh) said to him:
“Indeed, you have constricted that which is capacious.”
(And He is Ever Most Merciful to the believers.) (Qur’an 33: 43)
After a battle, a woman prisoner rushed between the Prophet’s Companions to grab and protect her child. Upon witnessing this scene, the Messenger of Allah (bpuh) said:
“Allah is more merciful to His slaves than this woman is to her child.”
ln an authentic hadith, it has been related that before dying, a man ordered for his corpse to be burned and his remains to be scattered throughout the land. Allah then put him together again and said to him, “O’ My slave, what was your motive for doing what you did?” He said, “O’ my Lord, l feared You and dreaded my sins.”
Then, Allah made him enter Paradise.
(But as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires, and lusts. Verily, Paradise will be his abode.)
(Qur’an 79: 40-41)
Allah took to account a man who spent extravagantly on himself and was wasteful. Nonetheless, he was someone who worshipped Allah and did not associate any partners with Him. Allah did not find the man to have any good deeds except one: he was a businessman and would pardon the debts of those who were insolvent. Allah said,
“We are worthier of generosity than you are.” Allah pardoned him and let him enter Paradise.
(‘And Who, I hope will forgive me my faults on the Day of Recompense, [the Day of Resurrection].) (Qur’an 26: 82)
In Saheeh Muslim is an account wherein it is mentioned that the Prophet (bpuh) prayed with the people, and upon completing the prayer, a man suddenly stood and said,
“I have perpetrated a sin that is punishable by law, so execute the punishment on me.” The Prophet asked, “Did you pray with us?” The man answered, “Yes.”
The Prophet said, “Go, for you have been forgiven.”
(And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allah’s Forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful) (Qur’an 4: 110)
There is an invisible mercy that surrounds the believer from every direction. The source of this invisible mercy is Allah, Lord of all that exists. He kept Muhammad (Blessings and Peace be upon him) safe in the cave and He showed mercy to those known as the people of the cave. He protected Ibraheem (Abraham) from the effects of the fire. He saved Moosa (Moses) from drowning, Nooh (Noah) from the flood, Yusuf (Joseph) from the well, and Ayoob (Job) from sickness (may peace be upon them all).
PAUSE TO REFLECT
Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) related that she heard the Prophet (bpuh) say,
“When a Muslim is afflicted with a calamity, and then says what Allah orders him to say: ‘Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return,’ and, ‘O’ Allah, reward me in my calamity and compensate me with that which is better than it (i.e. better than what was lost. A loved one, for example),’ then Allah will compensate him with that which is better than it.”
An Arab poet said:
“My friend, by Allah, no calamity Lasts, no matter how large it is, If it descends today, do not succumb to it, And don’t complain too much when your foot slips, How many noble people have been tried through disaster! They were patient and vanished and went away. My soul was attached to this world and was stubborn, But when it witnessed my patience, it yielded.”
PERFORMING NOBLE DEEDS IS THE WAY TO HAPPINESS
If you love that good should befall others, then you have a blessed gift from Allah.
Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“In me, are three qualities. The first is that whenever it rains, I praise and thank Allah. I feel happy for this blessing, even if I myself don’t own camels or sheep to benefit from the rain. The second is that whenever I hear of a just judge, I supplicate to Allah for him, even if I don’t have a case pending with him. The third is that whenever I gain knowledge of (the meaning of) a verse from the Qur’an, I long for others to learn what I know from it.”
All of these qualities indicate a true longing for the well-being of others. Allah described those of an opposite nature:
(Those who are miserly and enjoin miserliness on other men and hide what Allah has bestowed upon them of His Bounties) (Qur’an 4: 37)
BENEFICIAL KNOWLEDGE AND FRUITLESS KNOWLEDGE
(And those who have been bestowed with knowledge and faith will say: ‘indeed you have stayed according to the Decree of Allah, until the Day of Resurrection, but you knew not. (Qur’an 30: 56)
There is knowledge that is useful and there is knowledge that is harmful. As for the knowledge that is useful, the believer’s faith strengthens as a result of it; on the other hand, the disbeliever does not reap any benefit whatsoever from gaining this kind of knowledge, though the information acquired is the same, the results are very different. Allah says of His enemies:
(They know only the outside appearance of the life of the world [i.e. the matters of their livelihood, like irrigation or sowing or reaping, etc.], and they are heedless of the Hereafter) (Qur’an 30: 7)
(Nay, they have no knowledge of the Hereafter Nay, they are in doubt about it. Nay, they are blind about it.) (Qur’an 27: 66)
(That is what they could reach of knowledge.) (Qur’an 53: 30)
(And recite [O’ Muhammad] to them the story of him to whom we gave Our Aayaat [proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.], but he threw them away so Satan followed him up, and he became of those who went astray. And had we willed, we would surely have elevated him therewith but he clung to the earth and followed his own vain desire. So his description is the description of a dog if you drive him away, he lolls his tongue out, or if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls his tongue out. Such is the description of the people who reject Our Aayaat [proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc]. So relate the stories, perhaps they may reflect) (Qur’an 7: 175-176)
Allah said about the Jews and their knowledge of the truth:
(The likeness of those who were entrusted with the Torah, but who subsequently failed in those [obligations], is as the likeness of a donkey who carries huge burdens of books [but understands nothing from them]. How bad is the example of people who deny the Aayaat [proofs, evidences, signs, verses, etc.] of Allah. (Qur’an 62: 5)
They knew the truth from the Torah, yet they were not guided by it. They distorted its words, and if that failed to work, they distorted the meanings of the words. How could people who treated knowledge in this despicable manner ever have found happiness? Lt was certainly not possible in their case, for they always tried to eradicate the truth using any means at their disposal.
(…but they preferred blindness to guidance……) (Qur’an 41: 17)
(And of their saying: ‘Our hearts are wrapped (with coverings, i.e.
We do not understand what the Messengers say)’ —– may Allah has set a seal upon their hearts because of their disbelief so they believe not but a little. (Qur’an 4: I55)
There are thousands, perhaps millions of books in the Library of Congress in Washington. There are books that deal with every century, every people, every nation, and every culture. Yet who owns this venerable library; a nation that disbelieves in its Lord, a nation whose knowledge passes not the bounds of the tangible, material world. As for what is beyond the material world, they hear not, see not, feel not, nor do they understand.
(And we had assigned them the [faculties of] hearing, seeing, and hearts, but their hearing, seeing and their hearts availed them nothing.)
(Qur’an 46: 26)
The likeness between the truth and the disbeliever’s aversion to it is as follows: The water is pure and sweet; however, the person drinking it feels a bitter taste.
(How many clear Aayaat [proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.] We gave them.)
(Qur’an 2: 211)
(And never an Aayah [sign] comes to them from the Aayaat [proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.] of their Lord, but that they have been turning away from it) (Qur’an 6: 4)
READ MORE, BUT WITH UNDERSTANDING AND CONTEMPLATION
To be blessed with a large store of knowledge, a mind that contemplates, a good understanding, and an intellect that delves beneath the surface for reasons and motives — these are all factors that contribute to giving one peace of mind.
(It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear , Allah)
(Qur’an 35: 28)
(Nay, they deny that; the knowledge whereof they could not compass…)
(Qur’an 10: 39)
A scholar usually has an open mind and is at peace. A thinker from the west said:
“l keep a large file in the drawer of my desk, and on it is written, ‘Foolish things I have done.’ I write in it all of the follies and errors that I perpetrate during the course of a day; I do this to know my faults in order to rid myself of them.”
The earlier Muslim scholars preceded him in this endeavor. They would meticulously take an account of their deeds.
(And I swear by the self-reproaching person [a believer].)
(Qur’an 75: 2)
Al-Hasan al-Basri said:
“The Muslim takes account of himself with more rigor than does a businessman with his partner.”
Ar-Rabee’ ibn Khuthaym would write everything that he said from one Friday to the next. If he found that he had spoken well and truthfully, he praised Allah. And if he found error in his speech, he repented to Allah. A righteous man from the early centuries of Islam said,
“I committed a particular sin forty years ago, a sin that still bothers me today. I continue to ask Allah to forgive me for it.”
(And those who give that [their charity] which they give [and also do other good deeds] with their hearts full of fear [whether their alms and charities, etc., have been accepted or not]…) (Quran 23: 60)
TAKE ACCOUNT OF YOURSELF
Keep a journal with you, and in it take account of your actions. Write down the negative aspects of your personality and actions, and then think of solutions to rid yourself of them. ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“Take account of yourselves before it is taken of you. Weigh your deeds before they are weighed for you (i.e. on the Day of Judgment) and beautify yourselves (with good deeds) for the great display (on the Day of Judgment)
THREE MISTAKES THAT ARE COMMON IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES
Wasting time.
Talking about matters that don’t concern us, matters that are none of our business.
“From the goodness of one’s Islam is leaving alone that which does not concern him.”
Being preoccupied with trivial issues. Listening to rumors, predictions, and gossip are three common examples. Having this characteristic results in paranoia, anxiety, and a lack of purpose in life.
(So Allah gave them the reward of this world, and the excellent reward of the Hereafter) (Qur’an 3: 148)
(My Guidance shall neither go astray nor fall into distress and misery) (Quran 20: 123)
Source: Islam Basics By Aaidh ibn Abdullah Al-Qarnee
Comments
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.