02nd Rabi’ ath-Thaani 1444AH
Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuhu
We praise Allah and seek His help and ask Him for His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Him from the evil of our souls and from our sinful deeds. He whom Allah guides, no one can mislead and He whom He leaves astray none can guide. And we bear witness that there is no god except Allah who is alone and who has no partner and also bear witness that Sayyidina Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May Allah bless him and his family and companions and may He favour him and give him peace a complete peace abundantly.
O servants of Allah! The world is seriously challenged today, financially, socially, politically and now environmentally. It does appear that the financial and environmental challenges have engulfed the whole world and not the traditional “third world” countries. In the past weeks, flooding has been reported across the globe after wild fire outbreaks which has been attributed to global warming.
O servants of Allah! We should accept that we have all wronged ourselves by failure to follow Allah’s directives and guidance and be humble to ask Allah for forgiveness. We should also incorporate gratitude to Allah for all of His favours which we have enjoyed this far but took for granted for the promise of Allah is that “If you give thanks, certainly I will give you more, but if you are ungrateful, verily My chastisement is very severe.” [Q14:7]
We have, indeed, been faced with myriad of challenges in our earthly sojourn. Some are rich while others are poor. Some are healthy while some are sick. Some get promoted and rewarded while others get removed from their jobs or unrecognized. We can go on and on listing different world scenarios of personal experiences. In all of these Allah has a message which is hardly ever appreciated except those that are thoughtful:
1. For those who have been given the positive side; will they show gratitude?
2. For those who have been deprived or challenged; will they be patient and look on to Allah for His favours?
O servants of Allah! Do you reflect that Allah created everything on earth for the pleasure of man but that He created you solely for Himself? What then should be our position other than gratitude and be fully occupied in trying to serve and please Allah. Do you not know that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “If Allah wills good for His slave, He hastens his punishment in this world, and if He wills bad for His slave, He withholds from him (the punishment for) his sin, until He requites him for it on the Day of Resurrection” (at-Tirmidh)i.
Therefore, I commend unto you the wisdom of Al-Hasan al-Basri (RA) who said: “Do not resent the calamities that come and the disasters that occur, for perhaps in something that you dislike will be your salvation, and perhaps in something that you prefer will be your doom.” Al-Fadl ibn Sahl concurred that: “There is a blessing in calamity that the wise man should not ignore, for it erases sins, gives one the opportunity to attain the reward for patience, dispels negligence, reminds one of blessings at the time of health, calls one to repent and encourages one to give charity.”
O servants of Allah! You may be familiar with the concept of patience and gratitude but do you understand what exactly is contentment? Know that contentment is an attribute of Tawakul (trust in Allah) wherein a servant puts in his best and expects good results but accepts whatever the outcome is with equanimity. He bears no grudge against anybody nor does he complain to anyone as he absolutely believes that everything that happens to him was ordained and indeed brought about by Allah. On this class of people “Allah is well pleased with them, and they are well pleased with Him” (Q58:22).
In a hadith, transmitted on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas (RA), Allah’s Messenger (SAW) once said: “The full flavor of true faith [iman] is tasted by one who is content with Allah (SWT) as a Lord.
The judgment of Allah is better than a man’s judgment on his own behalf. That which Allah has decreed for you concerning something you dislike, O son of Adam, may be even better for you than that which Allah has decreed for you concerning something you like. You must therefore observe your duty to Allah and be content to accept His decision. Allah has told us: “But it may happen that you hate a thing that is good for you, and it may happen that you love a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows, and you know not” (Q2:216).
That is to say, [He knows, and you do not know] what is in the best interest of your religion [deen] and your worldly life, for He has kept concealed from His creatures the things that are to their advantage. He has charged them with servitude [ubudiyya] to Him, by requiring fulfillment of the commandments and observance of the prohibitions [of the Sacred Law], submissive resignation to that which is foreordained [maqdur], and contentment [rida] with the divine decree [qada’] in every respect, whether it be in their favor or to their disadvantage. He has appropriated the consequences and the benefits unto Himself exclusively. It is therefore necessary for the servant to be constantly engaged in worshipful obedience to his Master [Mawla], to be content with whatever Allah has allotted to him, and to harbor no doubts about Him.
Contentment with the divine decree [ar-rida bi’l-qada’] is Allah’s most splendid gateway, and it is this world’s Garden of Paradise. That is to say, when someone is blessed with the honor of contentment [rida], he has already received the most abundant welcome, and has been honored with the most exalted nearness.
It is said that Musa (AS) once had a request to make of his Lord so he said: “My God, point out to me a deed, such that, if I perform it, You will be well pleased with me.” The Lord said: “You are not capable of that,” so Moses (AS) sank to the ground, prostrating himself in humble submission. Allah then conveyed to him by way of inspiration: “O son of ‘Imran, My good pleasure resides in your contentment with My decree” through which you bear all favours with gratitude and all trials and calamities with patience. You avoid greediness in all matters of this world.
Dhu ‘n-Nun al-Misri (RA) once said: “These are three of the symptoms of contentment [rida]:
(1) the lack of personal preference in advance of the divine decree [qada’],
(2) the absence of bitterness in the wake of the divine decree, and
(3) the arousal of love in the midst of trial and tribulation.”
This is the dividing line between the sincere believers and the others. What you complain of in difficulty as of today may be nothing compared to what lay ahead, if Allah decrees. It could, on the other hand, be that the hardship you face today is a preparation for the betterment of tomorrow. However, if the three qualities mentioned by Dhu ’n Nun here are present, the believer is prepared for any outcome.
O servants of Allah! Have good opinion of Allah for it makes one succeed in this world and the hereafter. Abu Huraira reported the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Allah Almighty says: I am as My servants expects of Me. If he thinks good of Me, he will have it. If he thinks evil of Me, he will have it” (Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān 639).
If some of the calamities of this world or pain afflicts you, even some of those diseases that are called incurable or fatal, it is upon you to perfect your assumptions about Allah, that He is Ash-Shaafee (The Healer) and there is no remedy or healing except His healing. The Qur’an reports Sayyidina Ibrahim (the friend of Allah) describing his Lord said: “… (I worship Only He) Who has created me, and it is He Who guides me; And it is He Who feeds me and gives me to drink. And when I am ill, it is He who cures me; And Who will cause me to die, and then will bring me to life (again)” [Q26:78-81].
These ayaat indicate that Ibrahim (AS) had good thoughts about Allah. He did not attribute becoming sick to Allah as he attributed creation, guidance and sustenance to Him. He did not say “when Allah makes me ill” – he attributed this to himself because of his good thought about Allah and his understanding that ‘Whatever good comes to you is from Allah and whatever misfortune befalls you is from yourselves (because of the evil that you do) [Q4:79].
So, my brethren! I assure you that if a true believer can face his difficulties with a positive state of mind hoping for rewards from Allah, such an attitude can provide true relief and happiness. By positive state of mind, I mean working hard as usual and hoping for the best. It helps no one to be fatalistic and refusing to work or take steps towards improving his lot but recklessly wasting his time and hoping for miracle. Allah directs that we should: “… give glad tidings to As-Sabirun (the patient) who, when afflicted with calamity, say: “Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return. They are those on whom are the Salawat (i.e., who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones (Q:155-157).
“O you who believe! Fear Allah, and (always) say a word directed to the Right: That He may make your conduct whole and sound and forgive you your sins: he that obeys Allah and His Messenger, has already attained the highest Achievement” (Q33:70-71).
PART 2
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon the Best of Allah’s Creation, Muhammad the son of Abdullah and upon his household and all his companions
I’d like to share this anecdote I came across about a righteous man. As funny and seemingly strange as it appeared, I found it worth reflecting on.
This man was bald, blind, a leper and had paralyzed hands and feet. Nevertheless, he was so content and at peace with himself that he used to constantly make this supplication (dua’): “All praise is due to Allah who saved me from that which He has afflicted others, and blessed me greatly over many of those whom He has created.” While making this dua, a man passing by him asked: “Saved you from what, man? You’re bald, blind, a leper and paralyzed! So, saved you from what?” The man replied: “How could you say that? Allah has given me a tongue that is in constant remembrance of Him, a heart that is in constant gratitude towards Him and a body that is in constant patience over its afflictions.”
Suddenly, this righteous man put the matter in perspective for the questioner and anyone who wishes to contemplate deeply, genuinely and sincerely on the true meaning of blessings.
What comes to your mind when you hear the word blessings? Many of us get an image of material possessions or material physical aspects or worldly goods in our minds when we hear this word. But for the believer, he should not lose sight that: “… whatever thing you [people] have been given – it is [only for] the enjoyment of worldly life and its adornment. And what is with Allah is better and more lasting; so, will you not use reason?” (Q28:60).
O servants of Allah! Our inability to understand what constitute blessing is majorly responsible for our inability to show gratitude to Allah. For Allah said: “And He gave you of all what you asked for, and if you (try to) count the blessings of Allah, never will you be able to count them. Verily, man is indeed an extreme wrongdoer, ungrateful” (Q14:34).
Consequent upon this ignorance of man, Allah reminds him: “As for man, (instead of learning from the incidents of the past, he takes no heed and) when his Lord tests him (to see whether he is grateful to Him) by granting him honour and favours, he says, “My Rabb has honoured me (because I am His chosen one and deserve this. Instead of expressing thanks to Allah and using the wealth and favours in a manner that pleases Allah, he becomes proud and conceited). However, when He (Allah) tests him (man) by reducing his sustenance (to see whether he exercises patience), he says, “My Rabb has disgraced (has failed) me!” (He therefore fails the test by complaining and thereafter flouting Allah’s commands in a desperate effort to acquire some wealth). Never! (A shortage in one’s sustenance does not indicate rejection by Allah, just as an increase in sustenance does not indicate acceptance by Him). Instead, (apart from being a test for you, your sustenance is sometimes decreased as a form of punishment because) you do not honour the orphan (so why must Allah honour you?) … “ (Q89:15-17)
O servants of Allah: Know that there is one common element in blessings and hardships: they are both a trial; reinforcing the fact that what may look like good fortune from the outside is not necessarily the source of success and vice versa. The Prophet (SAW) so eloquently explained that: “Richness is not having many possessions, but richness is being content with oneself” (at-Tirmidhi).
This is what the righteous man we spoke about in the beginning understood, that’s why he was at peace, content and even grateful because he had been truly blessed – with wisdom: “…and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding” (Q2:269).
O servants of Allah! I urge you and myself to remain steadfast regardless of our condition in this life as everything is happening according to Allah’s knowledge and plan “In order that you not despair over what has eluded you and not exult [in pride] over what He has given you. And Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful” (Q57:23). If you stay within the bounds, the Prophet (SAW) assures us of success when he (SAW) said: “How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him.” (Muslim).
My brethren! From now on be guided when you ask Allah to ‘bless’ you or someone else, think sincerely about what you’re saying. Ask for true and eternal blessings. Ask Allah to give us wisdom because this will help us face the inevitable ups and downs of life gracefully. Ask Him to give us patience when patience is due and to help us be thankful when thankfulness is due because really, that is the true blessing!
O servants of Allah! The time has come for you to remedy your doubts with faith and your deviant thoughts with guidance. You must remove the veil of darkness that covers you so that you can see the brightness of a true sunrise; you must supplant the bitterness of sorrow with the sweetness of contentment.
O Allah! All praise is due to You without being able to sufficiently thank You, nor ever wish to be cut off from You, nor ever feeling rich from relying on You; our Lord! Make life easy for us and make us accept your judgment upon us with equanimity.
للَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الثَّبَاتَ فِي الْأَمْرِ، وَالْعَزِيمَةَ عَلَى الرُّشْدِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مُوجِبَاتِ رَحْمَتِكَ، وَعَزَائِمَ مَغْفِرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ شُكْرَ نِعْمَتِكَ، وَحُسْنَ عِبَادَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ قَلْبَاً سَلِيمَاً، وَلِسَانَاً صَادِقَاً، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا تَعْلَمُ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا تَعْلَمُ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُكَ لِمَا تَعْلَمُ، إِنَّكَ أنْتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ
Allahumma innee as-aluka ath-Thabata fil Amr, wal azeemata alar-Rushd, wa as-aluka Moojibati Rahmatika wa Azaaima Maghfiratika, wa as-aluka Shukra Ni’matik, wa husna ibadaatik, wa as-aluka Qalban Saleema wa Lisaanan Saadiqa, wa as-Aluka min khairi ma Ta’lamu, wa Audhubika min Sharri ma Ta’lamu, wa astaghfiruka limaa Ta’lamu, Innaka Anta Allamul- Ghuyoob.
O Allah verily I ask of You for strength of perseverance of obedience on the Deen, and determination in practicing of the Deen and goodness. And I ask of You for that which obligates Your mercy and resolutions for Your forgiveness. And I ask of You for the capability to be thankful for Your blessings and to worship you in a correct and good way. And I ask of You for a heart which is purified in belief and free from desires and a truthful tongue. And ask of You for the best of what You know, and I seek refuge with You from the evil of what You know and I seek forgiveness for that which You know. Indeed, You are the One who knows the unseen. Collected by Tabraani in ‘Mu’ajam al-Kabeer’ (7/335-336)
Aquulu qawliy hadha wastagfirullah liy walakum innahu huwal ghafurun Raheem. Wassalamun alal mursaleen wal hamdulillahi rabbil aalameen.
Suleiman Zubair
