The Holy month is coming to a close. For the seasonal Muslims, their journey is about to end, whereas Muslims for a reason, their journey is about to begin as we move away from the folds of security, restraint and spiritual upliftment.
But, the question is, “are we done”? Let us take a moment to understand where we are, even though we have a pretty good idea.
Technology has heightened. Morals have weakened. Faith has been compromised. Materialistic values have taken over. Rituals are common: Brushing teeth in the morning, taking a shower. Grabbing that early morning cup of tea, reading the newspaper. Picking up the car keys, opening the door. Going to school or work. These actions don't need a thought process. They are ritualistic; daily routine. The need to be done in order that life continues in a sound manner. Sadly, following the lifestyle of the Holy Prophet and the Ahlul Bayt (a), also seems a ritual, perhaps in a traditional sense, but a ritual nonetheless.
Most recently, feverish pitches of love and compassion for Ali ibne Abu Talib (as) from the 19th to the 21st of this Holy Month, emotions running wild against his killer(s), the need to compete against time and beg for forgiveness against our (unacceptable) deeds we may have committed, changes in FaceBook statuses to reflect all the passion being extruded, requests for dua's and prayers flood the messages of ours and those on our lists. In the midst of all this compassion and love that comes with a climax of iftars and sehri's in the mosque, surrounded by our social network whom we just chatted with an hour ago about the next soccer game or how we had a great time in school just this morning, we hit the 'like' button on pages along the lines of 'why girls like boys,' or 'what you missed out on if you didn't have a relationship with me'. We also enjoy a game of online poker, perhaps without money, but we enjoy it, following the footsteps of those who took the wrong path. Unlike the beautiful hadith left behind by our beloved Prophet (s):
• [“Live like 'Ali (a) and Die like Husayn (a)”]
The statement did not mean during the 30 days; nor the 12. It meant during every breath we draw. Failure to act on what is required, no – mandated – is what angers our living Imam (a):
• [“Then each one of you should perform such actions which will bring you close to our love and should abstain from those deeds which are a cause of our displeasure and anger”]
Six times a year, we ask 'God' to bless us in our exams and tests, and maybe we might even pray our Salaat, out of desperation, on time, and as soon as they are over our actions claim; “What God?”. Sometimes, only sometimes, we look at a picture of someone without hijab and boldly and arrogantly bring God in between the indecent act of glorifying the beauty by claiming “Masha Allah! you look beautiful!”. Or, we look at our modern idols, the soccer stars, and worship their choices of girlfriends they rotate depending on their whims, praising the Lord for such beauty. And such messages just roll off on our tongues, without restraint, considering it very small:
• [24 An-Nur:15 “When ye welcomed it with your tongues, and uttered with your mouths that whereof ye had no knowledge, ye counted it a trifle. In the sight of Allah it is very great.”]
Is that the same God we praise that we need to submit to and give our lives for?:
• [6 Al An'am:162 “Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds”]
Or is it another god that is driven by our desires to love what we shouldn't be going after?:
• [25 Al Furqan:43-44 “Have you seen him who takes his low desires for his god? Will you then be a protector over him? Or do you think that most of them do hear or understand? They are nothing but as cattle; nay, they are straying farther off from the path.”]
Submission towards Him and sacrificing our life [6:162] does not mean our life during these Glorious 30 days, or the additional 12 in Muharram, (40 if we can stretch it that far). It means that our entire life from the moment the name of Allah is recited in our ear, to the moment when the angels begin to question us (and this too is too late), is filled with sacrifice and restraint, guard, against that which is detested and disliked by Allah. How else can we call the Book, revealed in this month, a guide, that which we follow?
• [2 al Baqarah:2 “This Book, there is no doubt in it, is a guide to those who guard (against evil).”]
As these days come to a close, we need to reflect on what we will bring forth next year. Do not be fooled that our sins will be forgiven, and as soon as the moment our bellies begin to bloat, our desires too begin to expand:
• [4 An Nisaa:17 “Forgiveness is only incumbent on Allah toward those who do evil in ignorance (and) then turn quickly (in repentance) to Allah. These are they toward whom Allah relenteth. Allah is ever Knower, Wise.]
This world was never created to make things easy. But we are looking for ease. This world was never created for merry making and joy. But we are seeking it. This world was never created to compromise with God. But yet, against all odds and wisdom, we want to:
• [10 Yunus :23 “O mankind! your insolence is against your own souls,- an enjoyment of the life of the present”]
• [11 Hud:116 “But the wrong-doers pursued the enjoyment of the good things of life which were given them, and persisted in sin.”]
If that were the case, then verses that speak of trials and tribulations would remain meaningless:
• [2 Al Baqarah: 214 “Or do ye think that ye shall enter the Garden (of bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? they encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Messenger and those of faith who were with him cried: “When (will come) the help of Allah.” Ah! Verily, the help of Allah is (always) near!”]
• [33 Al Ahzab:24 “Such trials are imposed upon man so that God may reward the truthful for having been true to their word”]
Indeed, let us not forget, this world is full of trials and tribulations. Of difficulty and pain. Without which, the Justice of God would not be able to be substantiated. But for a person who follows the pathway of God and seeks salvation, trials, tribulations, difficulty and pain are, ironically, a source of comfort.
For satisfaction comes from Satisfying the Sustainer. That's all that matters:
• [13 Ar Rad:28 “Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah. For without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.”]
• [89 Al Fajr:27 “(To the righteous soul will be said:) “O (thou) soul, in (complete) rest and satisfaction!”]
It is reported in Al Kafi (Volume 2, page 74, Hadith No. 3) that Imam Muhammad Baqir (AS) addressing Jabir said:
“O Jabir, do you think that it is enough for anyone just to claim by his tongue that he loves Ahlul Bayt(a)? Does he, by such a claim, become our Shiah? Jabir, I swear by the Almighty that until a person fears Allah and obeys Him, he cannot claim to be our Shiah. He must have humility, be just, fulfill his promises, engage as much as possible in the remembrance of Allah, fulfill his obligations of salah and fasting, show affection and sympathy and obedience to his parents, assist and be kind to his neighbours, the poor, those in debt as well as show sympathy and affection to the orphans. He must always be truthful. He should read and study Qur'an. There must never be any malice in his heart. Without these qualities, he ca not qualify to claim that he loves us or is our Shiah. O Jabir, it is not enough for any person only to say by word of mouth that he loves Hadhrat Ali and the Ahlul Bayt. He must follow the 'seerah' (way of life) of the Holy Prophet and the Ahlul Bayt and act according to the sunnah established by them. If he does not, then his claim of love for Ahlul Bayt can never benefit him.
O Jabir, without 'ita'ah' (obedience and submission), nobody can attain proximity to Allah. We do not like them to claim to be our friends if they do not fulfill all the conditions. A sinful person is our enemy. Without good deeds and abstinence from sins, any claim of friendship to us is of no avail.”
