Nida
30-03-2003, 13:01
Do we realize that we live in between two times?
As I write and as you read, we are in between the time that has gone by, and the uncertainty of the future. Whatever time we have wasted in disobedience to Allah, it is possible for us to return it in our favor. The time wasted committing zina, backbiting, stealing, and even associating partners with Allah, can be rectified through repentance. Whoever repents, as Allah (awj) promised, will find his slate of deeds spotless. Not only will it be rid of filth, but good deeds will adorn it as if it had been good deeds all along. Allah (awj) says in reference to those who repent: "Except those who repent and believe, and do righteous deeds, for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Al-Furqan 25:70)
But, let's not get the ma'mool and tea out just yet. The shaitan awaits us in ambush. He seeks to take complete control. Allah (awj) says: "And recite to them (O Muhammad) the story of him to whom We gave Our ayat (proofs, evidences) but he threw them away. So Shaitan took control of him, and he became of those who went astray." (7:175)
In fact, Ibn al Qayyim, in Al Jawab al Kafi, says we may even commit sins that seem so insignificant at the moment that we fail to ask Allah for forgiveness for them. However, Allah (awj) may send us a tormenting trial related to this evil act 10 or 30 years later down the road simply because we have not repented for that previously.
Therefore, we must seize every opportunity to safeguard this time, not tomorrow, but at this present moment, with sincerity to Allah (awj). Ask him for forgiveness by abandoning the wrong actions we have committed, and by protecting ourselves from ever doing them again.
We are all different in how we actually face up to this challenge. Your weaknesses, you may feel, may be the biggest fitnah for you. Yet when someone else looks at it from the outside, it seems entirely easy for them to resolve simply because they have what it takes to overcome it. Likewise, what seems for many to be a blessing for a person, may actually be a trial for him. And, vice versa. Thus, everyone is different in this regard and we must make an effort to discover what our weaknesses are and the best way to compensate for them in the way of Allah (awj).
Most of the time we do not feel being in between two times, yet it is the most important of the three. The present should be treated with great magnitude since we desire to be among those whom Allah (awj) described: "Then as for him who will be given his Record in his right hand will say: "Take, read my Record! Surely, I did believe that I shall meet my Account! So he shall be in a life, well-pleasing. In a lofty Paradise, The fruits in bunches whereof will be low and near at hand. Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent on before you in days past! (Al-Haqqah 69:19-24)
Of course it is easier said than done. But, we learn that whoever makes the Qur'an his best friend in both deed and heart, will never leave these three times lay to waste. From the Qur'an, we are reminded that tawheed, worshipping none but Allah, is the most astounding acts of obedience. The Qur'an reminds us that there can never be any moment in our lives in which tawheed is absent. The Qur'an reminds us that Tawheed is the foundation of every upright action, as it was the message of every single Prophet. A person whose heart is rooted with taweed, liveliness will appear in all of his actions. Completing our tawheed, Tawheed aRuboobiyyah, Tawheedul Uloohiyyah and Tawheedul Asmaa was-Sifaat, at present will rectify both the time that has been lost and the time that is yet to come.
If the inevitable end is on its way, it is definitely coming. How slow or how fast it comes, do not be fooled into thinking we are standing still. We keep moving towards it, as it moves towards us, whether we choose to or not. The difference between all of us is how fast or slow we attain paradise or hellfire. And truly the last souls who took the present for granted are the losers in the race.
"A warning to mankind, To any of you that chooses to go forward (by working righteous deeds), or to remain behind (by committing sins), Every person is a pledge for what he has earned, Except those on the Right.." (74:36-39)
regds-Nida
As I write and as you read, we are in between the time that has gone by, and the uncertainty of the future. Whatever time we have wasted in disobedience to Allah, it is possible for us to return it in our favor. The time wasted committing zina, backbiting, stealing, and even associating partners with Allah, can be rectified through repentance. Whoever repents, as Allah (awj) promised, will find his slate of deeds spotless. Not only will it be rid of filth, but good deeds will adorn it as if it had been good deeds all along. Allah (awj) says in reference to those who repent: "Except those who repent and believe, and do righteous deeds, for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Al-Furqan 25:70)
But, let's not get the ma'mool and tea out just yet. The shaitan awaits us in ambush. He seeks to take complete control. Allah (awj) says: "And recite to them (O Muhammad) the story of him to whom We gave Our ayat (proofs, evidences) but he threw them away. So Shaitan took control of him, and he became of those who went astray." (7:175)
In fact, Ibn al Qayyim, in Al Jawab al Kafi, says we may even commit sins that seem so insignificant at the moment that we fail to ask Allah for forgiveness for them. However, Allah (awj) may send us a tormenting trial related to this evil act 10 or 30 years later down the road simply because we have not repented for that previously.
Therefore, we must seize every opportunity to safeguard this time, not tomorrow, but at this present moment, with sincerity to Allah (awj). Ask him for forgiveness by abandoning the wrong actions we have committed, and by protecting ourselves from ever doing them again.
We are all different in how we actually face up to this challenge. Your weaknesses, you may feel, may be the biggest fitnah for you. Yet when someone else looks at it from the outside, it seems entirely easy for them to resolve simply because they have what it takes to overcome it. Likewise, what seems for many to be a blessing for a person, may actually be a trial for him. And, vice versa. Thus, everyone is different in this regard and we must make an effort to discover what our weaknesses are and the best way to compensate for them in the way of Allah (awj).
Most of the time we do not feel being in between two times, yet it is the most important of the three. The present should be treated with great magnitude since we desire to be among those whom Allah (awj) described: "Then as for him who will be given his Record in his right hand will say: "Take, read my Record! Surely, I did believe that I shall meet my Account! So he shall be in a life, well-pleasing. In a lofty Paradise, The fruits in bunches whereof will be low and near at hand. Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent on before you in days past! (Al-Haqqah 69:19-24)
Of course it is easier said than done. But, we learn that whoever makes the Qur'an his best friend in both deed and heart, will never leave these three times lay to waste. From the Qur'an, we are reminded that tawheed, worshipping none but Allah, is the most astounding acts of obedience. The Qur'an reminds us that there can never be any moment in our lives in which tawheed is absent. The Qur'an reminds us that Tawheed is the foundation of every upright action, as it was the message of every single Prophet. A person whose heart is rooted with taweed, liveliness will appear in all of his actions. Completing our tawheed, Tawheed aRuboobiyyah, Tawheedul Uloohiyyah and Tawheedul Asmaa was-Sifaat, at present will rectify both the time that has been lost and the time that is yet to come.
If the inevitable end is on its way, it is definitely coming. How slow or how fast it comes, do not be fooled into thinking we are standing still. We keep moving towards it, as it moves towards us, whether we choose to or not. The difference between all of us is how fast or slow we attain paradise or hellfire. And truly the last souls who took the present for granted are the losers in the race.
"A warning to mankind, To any of you that chooses to go forward (by working righteous deeds), or to remain behind (by committing sins), Every person is a pledge for what he has earned, Except those on the Right.." (74:36-39)
regds-Nida