| Daily Reflections - Divine Decree & Wordly Life |
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You wake up to a new day, a new dawn. You have a mental list of what is
on your agenda; things to do, goals to set, aims to visualise,
objectives to achieve. People to please, good deeds to do, future to
plan. Sometimes you chase the dunya, sometimes the dunya chases you. You become absorbed and embroiled in the rat race that is the world and its own vested interest begins to spin you round and round...this pattern repeating itself daily that it becomes almost a rythmic, familiar and obsessed state to be in. "Absorption in worldly affairs breeds darkness in the heart, and absorption in the affairs of the next world enkindles light in the heart" Uthman (raa): The rigmarole of daily routine, the struggle to get ahead removes you further from your primary purpose and goal. Your share of sustenance in the world has been written and fixed by Allah (swt), so no matter how hard you work you will only attain that which has been prescribed for you. Our crafted ideas, our future plans, that we so intricately and painstakingly envisage for our lives serve little purpose other than being a distraction. Since whatever is meant to be, will be and will occur whether one had anticipated it or not, whether it is wanted or not and whether it is good for you, or bad for you. If something befalls you, don’t say: If only I would have done such and such, rather say: Allah foreordained this, and whatever He wishes, He does; for verily the phrase ‘if only I would have’ makes way for the work of Satan” (reported by Muslim). With God is the Decision, in the past and in the Future...[Surah Al-Rum, 4] Man becomes weary and despondent when his envisaged or desired future falls short, plans become awry or he falls short of his own goals. Much feelings of despondency emanate from focusing on aspirations and goals that are as shortlived and fleeting as life itself. You are not aware of the consequences that would result (if you were granted what you desire) because what you seek might be to your detriment. (O soul) be conscious that your Master is more aware about your well-being than you are. ~Ibn Al-Jawzee To sincerely believe all that which happens to you, happens for the best requires deep Imaan and an unwavering belief that Allah (swt) is Al-Bari, and Al-Muwwasir. As your creator and as you being a part of His creation, He (swt) knows you better than you know yourself, He is Al-Basir, Al-Khabir and As-Sami - and has decreed that which is better for you since He is Al-Ad'l. But may you prefer the life of this world although the life to come is better and more enduring.[Surah Al-A'la, 16-17] ... it is He who created all things, and ordered (qadara) them in due proportions [Surah Al-Furqan, 2] The realisation of the perishable nature of your existence should not come to you like an epiphany. Stark reminders that you are not immortal, that life is temporary have become lost, man has desensitised himself to them, to the message they give and to their intended effects. Brief is the enjoyment of this world whereas the life to come is best for all who are muttaqun or conscious of Allah [Surah An-Nisaa, 77] The life of this world is nothing but a flitting pleasure [Surah Ar-Ra'd, 20] Should man remember the state in which he entered the world, and the state that he will depart from it, what he accumulates in this world will not benefit him in the Hereafter. His wealth may acquire him temporary respite, the comforts of the dunya and a cushy existence, but of what use will it be, when he shall be summoned to account for the way he spent his wealth, for how he spent his youth and what deeds he performed. On the authority of Ibn 'Umar (ra) who said: The Messenger of Allah (saw) took me by the shoulder and said: "Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a traveler/wayfarer." Ibn 'Umar used to say: "When evening comes, do not expect (to live till) morning, and when morning comes, do not expect (to live till) evening. Take from your health (a preparation) for your illness, and from your life for your death." [Al-Bukhari] Understand that your successes, your failures, your gains, your losses have all been decreed for you. Your temporary abode may be the world, but your permanent abode is the Hereafter, so work in this life, acquire deeds and perform sincere actions in proportion to your final resting place. "Had there not been five bad qualities, all the people would have been righteous. Contentment with ignorance; love for worldly life; miserliness inspite of much wealth; ostentation in (good) deeds; and pride in their own intelligence." 'Ali (ra) In Sahih Muslim, on the authority of Jaber Ibn 'Abdullah (ra) that the Prophet (saw), one day was passing through the market and he passed by a dead goat, which had its ears cut. He held the goat by the ear and asked who would like to have it for one dirham (which was a very low price of currency at that time). The people said they wouldn't take it even if it was free. What could they do with it? He (saw) asked if they liked it if it was theirs. They said even if it was alive they would still not buy it because of its cut ears. So how could they buy it now especialy since it was dead. The Prophet (saw), said: "This worldly life is so little in the sight of Allah as this dead animal or goat is so little in your sight". So stop chasing the dunya, and it will stop chasing you. Do not regret that which has befallen on you, or that which has fallen out of your grasp. For Allah (swt) knows best, and is the Best of Planners. Focus on your end goal, your final resting place and ask yourself "is this taking me further away from my purpose, or is it bringing me closer"? May Allah (swt) create opportunities for us to become closer to Him, and may we recognise them as such and thank Allah (swt) for His generosity, and for His guidance in all that we do, and all that we encounter. Oh Allah, guide us by Your favor among those whom You have guided; and forgive us among those whom You have forgiven; and be our Protector among those whom You have protected; and bless us in all that You have given us; and save us and keep away from us any evil which You have decreed; verily You decree and none decrees besides what You decree; and none is abased whom You befriend; and none holds power whom You oppose. Blessed are You, our Lord, exalted; and to You are due all thanks, for Your blessings and bounty; we seek forgiveness from Allah from all sins and we repent to You; there is no refuge or place of shelter except for to You
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