Remembering Allah and Setting our Priorities
We find ourselves in the midst of a materialistic life where worldly matters (dunia) are our priority. Many came to this country in pursuit of money and to escape religious persecution. But, the dunia took them out of the spirit of Islam and they now live mundane lives. We have become human machines; a cycle of eating, working, and sleeping. If we remember Allah (swt), it is from one Friday to the next Friday, or from one Ramadhan to the next. I would like to highlight the following verse that reminds the Believer to remember Allah (swt):
أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَلَا يَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ
Has not the Time arrived for the Believers that their hearts should get into a state of khushu’u to engage in the remembrance of Allah and of the Truth which has been revealed (to them), and that they should not become like those to whom was given Revelation aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them are rebellious transgressors. [Qur’an 57:16]
Khushu’u is the state of tranquility of the physical body and inner body (sakina). Tranquility of the body stems from the heart. When the name of Allah is mentioned, our hearts and body should shake in awe of the magnificence of Allah. There was a time when a lecturer would simply say “Have taqwa in Allah” and the people would cry, their hearts moved. Their hearts would melt when Allah’s name is merely mentioned. But with time people have changed; their attachment to this world has increased. Allah is telling us in this verse that it is time for the believer to remember Allah. We must believe in what Allah sent down; no negotiations and no compromise of the religion (deen) for worldly matters (dunia). Our goal must be Allah. We cannot lose our deen to gain the dunia. A wise man once supplicated, “Oh my Lord, he who has lost You, what does he have; and he who has found You, what has he lost.” If you are obedient to Allah (swt) and His Messenger, you have Allah on your side, and you need nothing else. Do you think that if you do something for Allah, Allah will let you down? A good business transaction yields large profits, but people may cheat you or not pay you on time. You will always profit from a good relationship with Allah; Allah will always give you profit.
وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًاوَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا
And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out, And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion. [Qur’an 65:2-3]
Put your trust in Allah, and Allah will guide you out of your dilemma and provide you with blessings. We must have Allah as a priority in our life.
قُلْ إِن كَانَ آبَاؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَآؤُكُمْ وَإِخْوَانُكُمْ وَأَزْوَاجُكُمْ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمْ وَأَمْوَالٌ اقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وَتِجَارَةٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسَاكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَا أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكُم مِّنَ اللّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَجِهَادٍ فِي سَبِيلِهِ فَتَرَبَّصُواْ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ اللّهُ بِأَمْرِهِ وَاللّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِينَ
Say: If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, or your kindred; the wealth that ye have gained; the commerce in which ye fear a decline: or the dwellings in which ye delight - are dearer to you than Allah, or His Messenger, or the striving in His cause;- then wait until Allah brings about His decision: and Allah guides not the rebellious. [Quran 9:24]
We find all the types of attachments people have in the above verse: children are attached to their mothers at a young age, spouses are attached to one another, a person can be attached to their work or business, or be attached to the land in which they live (nationalism). If any of these attachments are dearer or more beloved than Allah (swt) wait for the command of Allah for Allah guides not the rebellious. Rethink your goal of this life. We have lost control of our lives; money and materialism are leading us. If you try to walk on a floor covered with oil, you will loose control and never reach your ultimate destination. Do not let the material world control your life. Remember Allah’s love for us. We learn to ask from Allah from the age of 10 or even later in life. But Allah did not wait for us to ask of Him; He provided for us since we were young. May Allah (swt) guide us to be of those who rely on him alone for everything.
The proper manners and methodology of seeking knowledge in Islam, from the Counsel of Imam Taqi al-Din Subki to his son Muhammad. The poem is read and explained by Sidi Faraz Rabbani (of www.sunnipath.com). Important in understanding a sound traditional Islamic understanding of knowledge; how it is sought; and the methodology of learning and knowledge that Muslims should follow. Emphasis is given on the purpose of knowledge; acting upon it; sincerely seeking the pleasure of Allah through it; following the way of the inheritors of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him); and manifesting the fruits of knowledge in one's life--faith, piety, worshipfulness, and excellence of character and conduct.
