In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
There are two very difficult trials in this world -- extreme difficulty and extreme luxury.
Extreme difficulty are things like serious calamity, earthquake, famine, poverty, violence, etc. Such difficulty can knock the senses out of the one being afflicted and he can lose his faith.
Extreme luxury is when everything is easy -- you open the fridge, all kinds of food are looking at you; you turn on the tap, hot/cold water started to flow at the exact speed you wanted; it's hot, the AC comes on (automatic setting); you go to the store, you find everything you need; everything work like clock work -- e.g. you go to the bank or governmental office/agency (post office, dmv, passport office) or call the number you can expect they are open during stated hours; etc. When you have too much luxury you can easily take things for granted and when suddenly you have one thing less or slightly below the standard you are used to (e.g. the hotel didn't have extra pillow), you get upset. You stop being grateful and this is a loss of faith.
The owner of the two gardens in Surah Kahf was tested with extreme wealth and he lost it.
وَدَخَلَ جَنَّتَهُۥ وَهُوَ ظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهِۦ قَالَ مَآ أَظُنُّ أَن تَبِيدَ هَـٰذِهِۦٓ أَبَدًا ﴿٣٥﴾ وَمَآ أَظُنُّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ قَآئِمَةً وَلَئِن رُّدِدتُّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّى لَأَجِدَنَّ خَيْرًا مِّنْهَا مُنقَلَبًا ﴿٣٦[Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:35-36]
And he entered his garden while he was unjust to himself. He said, "I do not think that this will perish - ever. (35) And I do not think the Hour will occur. And even if I should be brought back to my Lord, I will surely find better than this as a return." (36)
We are being tested all the time. This Ramadhan is no exception. You just have to recognize them and try to overcome them.
Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Affliction will continue to trouble the believers, men and women, in their bodies, their families, and their property until they meet Allah Almighty purified of every wrong action."
Be grateful with everything you have or don't have. Don't waste anything -- including iftar food and especially your time. This is one of the many tests that many will ignore. Whether you have little or plenty, give. Don't hold back. When you gather with your friends and family at home or masjid, this is a test -- don't use this blessing to backbite and gossip and having too much talk.
If you are sick, be careful not to cause others to feel bad for you. Sickness is purification. So it is a blessing.
Ibn 'Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went to visit a bedouin when he was ill and said, "Do not worry. It is a purification if Allah so wills." He said that the bedouin said, "It is a fever which boils in an old man and will cause him to visit the graves." "It is a blessing then," he concluded.
'Abdu'r-Rahman ibn Sa'id reported that his father said, "I was with Salman when he visited a sick person in Kinda. When he went in, he said, 'Good news! Allah makes the illness of the believer an expiation for him and a restoration, whereas the illness of the corrupt person is like a camel whose people hobble it and the let it go. It doe sot know why it was hobbled or released.'"
If you are blessed with good health, spend a good amount of time with the Qur'an (learning it and memorizing it) and do extra prayers this Ramadhan. Don't mind if you are alone in this. A lot of times people don't want to follow Allah's guidance because they are afraid they won't be happy. But Allah guarantees those who follow His guidance will not have fear in this life and the next life. You may the only one in your family who fast, who go to taraweeh and perform qiyamulail. Don't stop. Keep going. Don't feel alone. Be grateful for the blessing of guidance. Following this Deen (Islam) and guidance is very personal and a brave initiative. And nobody outside Allah's guidance can enjoy tranquility and peace. When you do follow Allah's guidance, He will give you new company -- in this dunya (world) you get the company of believers and in the akhirah (Hereafter) Allah will enter you in the company of the righteous.
May Allah keep us on the right path and grant us the company of the righteous in this life and the next.
رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا
Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance. [Qur'an, Al-Kahf 18:10]
Ameen.
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
Related Archives
Strengthening Faith in Ramadhan
Ramadhan Detox
The First Night of Ramadhan
No comments:
Post a Comment