\r\n An-Najm (The Star)
Commentary: \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \"My belief is in my heart\"; \"I know I sin often, but my intentions are always \r\n pure: after all, it is one's intention that really counts!\"; \r\n \"No one will reach Paradise except \r\n for Allah's Mercy.\" \r\nWhile all these concepts are valid (i.e. \r\n purity of belief and intentions are necessary), it is our \r\n readiness to obey, strive, and act that deserve Allah's Mercy. \r\n It is perhaps for this reason that Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have \r\n mercy on his soul) once said: \"On the Day of Judgment, \r\n Allah will allow His obedient servants into Paradise by \r\n His Mercy and divide it amongst them according \r\n to their deeds.\" \r\n Knowledge Without Action \r\n As Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (1058-1111 \r\n CE) argues in his Dear Beloved Son \r\n (containing advice to his student): \"Be not bankrupt of good deeds, \r\n nor void of [spiritual] status. Know for \r\n certain that abstract knowledge alone will neither increase you in \r\n power, nor strengthen your situation. Likewise if \r\n a brave warrior in possession of ten Indian swords and other \r\n weapons was alone in the wilderness, and a great ferocious lion attacked \r\n him, do you think the weapons could defend \r\n him if they were not used against the lion? \r\n \"....By the same principle, if a man \r\n read a hundred thousand theories, they would be of no use to him if \r\n he did not try and apply them. Therefore, if you studied a hundred years and collected a thousand \r\n books, you would not be prepared for the Mercy of Allah, the Exalted, \r\n except by action.\" \r\n Three Principles \r\n to Remember: \r\n From this verse three important principles \r\n can be derived: \r\n 1-that every person \r\n will get only the fruit of his own deeds; \r\n 2-that the fruit of \r\n one person's deeds cannot be given to another unless he has a share \r\n in that deed; \r\n 3-that none can attain \r\n anything in the Hereafter without the desire to strive for it. \r\n Abul Ala Mawdudi (1903-1979) in his extensive \r\n exegesis of the Quran, Towards Understanding the Quran, \r\n points out, \"Some people wrongly apply \r\n these principles to the economic problems of the world and conclude \r\n that no person can become the lawful owner of anything except of his \r\n or her own earned income.\" While Islam encourages \r\n everyone to work hard to earn their own livelihood, there are \r\n provisions, such as Zakat and inheritance laws that \r\n allow one person's income to be transferred to others on the basis \r\n of their moral and legal entitlement. \r\n Exception to this Verse \r\n The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) \r\n said: \"When a person dies, his deeds come \r\n to an end except for three: (a) \r\n Deeds of continuous charity (Sadaqa), (b) (written) knowledge \r\n with which humankind gets benefit; (c) a righteous, pious son (or \r\n daughter) who begs Allah to forgive their parents.\" \r\n [Sahih Muslim] \r\n |
\r\n \r\n Trusting \r\n Allah vs. Filling Void with Entertainment \r\n If we [the teens] put our trust and faith into something \r\n false and take something false as our protector, we'll be setting ourselves \r\n up for failure and disappointment. We must \r\n put our trust in Allah and have faith that He will protect us and guide \r\n us on the straight path. Islam may not seem thrilling and everyone these days seems to be looking for a thrill, something \r\n to excite them and make them happy. Movie stars and athletes have become \r\n glorified and are taken as role models. On \r\n the surface, to the untrained eye, they appear happy, beautiful, and perfect, \r\n but away from the cameras and deep in the night, they question their purpose \r\n and fill their void with drugs and alcohol. Much like \r\n a flower, they are weak and ungrounded. \r\n Following Islamic rules may not seem thrilling and exciting \r\n on the surface, but it is a fool proof way \r\n to achieve long term happiness and peace of mind, unlike the instant gratification \r\n that may put a smile on someone's face for a minute, but eat away at his \r\n heart for a lifetime! \r\n - By Sr. Sumaiya Beshir, Ottawa, Canada |
Thank \r\n You Allah \r\nO \r\n Sons of Adam, if God has blessed anyone with a house where he can live, \r\n water to quench his thirst, food sufficient to relieve his hunger, cloth \r\n enough to cover the body and limbs and a wife chaste and helpful in maintaining \r\n his position in life, he should thank God for he has everything he needs \r\n in this world. \r\nEverybody should \r\n take up some profession for his sustenance and content himself with it. \r\n Moderation should be adopted as the rule of life and some of the spare \r\n time, particularly in the morning, evening and later part of the night, \r\n should be devoted to the remembrance of God and recitation of the Quran. \r\n One should also listen to the Traditions of the Prophet, peace be upon \r\n him, and join the gatherings held for recollection of God. \r\n- Hakim-ul-Islam \r\n Shah Waliullah \r\n[Taken from 'Saviours of \r\n Islamic Spirit' by Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi Vol. 4 pg. 243] |
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