BECOMING ONE
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.”
This famous opening of A Tale of Two Cities illustrates the literary genius of Charles Dickens.
Dickens uses the tone of duality as a drumroll to hook the reader to the unfolding upheaval in France. He, however, does not suggest that the age is exclusive to the French Revolution. The sentence is perfectly general and universally the reality of every epoch. Ultimately, it is the story of the human being.
Paradoxes exist within all of us. The goal is to become undivided within oneself. To settle the internal strife and end the civil war within. We do so by living principled lives set forth by God: ‘You who believe, be mindful of God, as is His due, and make sure you devote yourselves to Him, to your dying moment. Hold fast to God’s rope together; do not split into factions. Be a community that calls for what is good, urges what is right, and forbids what is wrong: those who do this are the successful ones.’ [3:102-104]
Verse 102 contends that belief is not enough and instructs us to remain mindful of God as is His due and accept His total jurisdiction over our lives. Maintaining our duty and devotion to Him until our final breath is thus the cypher for principled living.
Verses 103 and 104 provide the methodology: Wa’tasimu bi habl, hold firm to His rope. Habl is like a buoy, keeping us afloat at sea, even in a genocide. In this context, it is the unmistakable simile for the Quran. Once gleaning the truth from God’s Book, we call to good in unison. In this verse, Allah urges us to stay united and warns against breaking up into factions and dissolving our strength.
This guidance is not only for communities, but also for individuals, who are the composites of societies. It allows us to transcend any age and win unity within.
WINNING LOVE
As Rabi al-Awwal approaches, and with it the Milad al-Nabiy—birthday of the Prophet (s)—we must, with all solemnity, resolve to commit to the Prophetic model.
Eulogising the Prophet (s) through melodious Milad renditions and salawat is but a fraction of the love we can extend to the beloved. The Prophet (s) is our uswatun hasanah, our beautiful example, and the most excellent paragon to humanity.
Those who truly love Allah follow the Prophet (s), for it is only through emulation that we can sincerely regard our love and devotion to God and His Messenger (s). Everything else pales in comparison.
To love Rasul Allah (Messenger of God) is to love Allah: ‘If you love God, follow me (the Prophet), and God will love you and forgive you your sins; God is most forgiving, most merciful’ [3:31].
I celebrated the 100th edition of Allah, the Prophet, and me four weeks ago. But today I’m blessed with an even better, more complete milestone: Publishing Allah, the Prophet, and me, weekly and unbroken, for two years, Alhamdulillah.
It would have been stunning if the landmark coincided with yesterday’s weekly ‘Global Thursday Strike for Gaza’ campaign launch (21 Aug 25).
My wish is simply sentimental because Palestine is so near to my heart.
More importantly, the campaign’s success will require the same consciousness, consistency and long-term commitment. And I pledge to extend the same ethic to it as with the newsletter, inshaAllah.
I pray you do, too.
Until next week, InshaAllah
P.S. Remember to write weekly to the President
Zaahied Sallie
Author of The Beloved Prophet – An Illustrated Biography in Rhyme
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