sent by Zaahied Sallie

Allah

COVETOUS EYES

Inordinate consumerism lodges one with Mammon’s folk, who suffer from an acute deficiency in selflessness. As the ego, excessively fueled by its cravings, becomes inflated, it begins to devour the higher self and eventually sets its desires as rivals to God.

When desire reaches godlike status, not even a genocide can disarm it, as proven by most of the Muslim majority countries, whose political and business elite continue to trade, unperturbed with Israel.

In a recent study, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, revealed that Israel is the second-largest per-capita recipient of EU start-up funding. Like the Arab world, the Europeans, too, are complicit, as are most of the free countries of the world, bar only a few.

Economic injustice through predatory capitalist corporate profit-mongering is widespread. And none is more immoral and corrupt than those profiting off a genocide.

Another guilty party, though considerably less significant than corporations and governments, is the social media ‘Influencer’, who shamelessly sells genocide for a pittance.  

We live in a wretched time, and those with wild covetousness, if unrepentant, will earn a hellish bed. But Allah does not wish to vanquish us. Knowing that humans are susceptible to its caprice, God presents us the serum and directs our gaze to something far superior, closeness to Him: ‘Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet: Women and sons; Heaped-up hoards of gold and silver; horses branded (for blood and excellence); and (wealth of) cattle and well-tilled land. Such are the possessions of this world’s life; but in nearness to Allah is the best of the goals (To return to)’ [3:14].

Rabi al-Awwal

Celebrating the Month of the Prophet (s)

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The Prophet (s)

THE GREATEST GIFT

The Prophet Muhammad (s) had one primary occupation into which we can distil his entire life.

So, what is it? And where can we find the answer?

The answer lies in who we all are, Muslims.

The Prophet (s) wasn’t preoccupied solely with Muslimness as an identity, the noun part of the word. The verb aspect, the state of Muslimness, surrendering and devoting oneself wholly to the Divine Will, was his driving force.

So serious was the Prophet (s) about remaining aligned to God’s Will that he (s) prayed: “O Allah, do not leave me to myself even for the blink of an eye.”

Muslim (surrender to the Divine Will) was the Prophet’s perennial state, and the Quran became his character. ‘Kāna khuluqu wal Qurān, his (s) character was the Quran’, said A’ishah (ra), the Prophet’s wife. No greater ni’mah (blessing) is more outstanding than the gift of Islam and iman (faith). Being a Muslim is the grandest endowment, and being one in the truest sense is how we forge the most powerful link with Allah and His Prophet (s).

All of God’s chosen and their followers were Muslim. Allah relates the prayer of the father and son Prophet pair, as they raised the foundations of the Ka’bah. They invoked, ‘Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-knowing. Our Lord! Make of us Muslims, bowing to Thy (Will), and of our progeny a people Muslim, bowing to Thy (will)’ [2:127-128]. This verse proves that all subsequent prophets and their followers, who hail from this great line, were Muslim. They were neither Jews nor Christians.

The following verse provides further evidence: ‘Ibrahim was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a submitter, A Muslim to Allah’s Will’ [3:67].

The Prophet (s) understood that becoming multidimensional—developing an advanced scope—first required one-dimensionality in this idea.

Failing alignment with the will of Allah is probably the greatest malaise for all the generations that were, and will ever be.

So, which part of Muslim do we occupy the most? The identity or the state? And how Muslim are we when it comes to Allah’s laws?

To find out, take the Prophetic emulation test. Below are a few questions to set you on your way:

How Muslim am I?:

• Am I a Muslim towards my parents? Do I support my parents and deal with them kindly?
• Am I a Muslim towards my wife/wives? Do I support and maintain her/them financially, emotionally and spiritually as Allah demands?
• Am I a Muslim regarding my obligations towards my children?
• Am I a Muslim when it comes to business?
• Am I a Muslim when it comes to the family inheritance, or do I insist on my will?
• Am I a Muslim regarding the five pillars of Islam?

Did I progress from the last Moulood?:

• Am I a better follower of the Prophet (s) since celebrating the Moulood last year?
• Do I love the Prophet (s) more than myself, and second only to God?
• Do I use the Prophet’s life to troubleshoot mine?
• Which attributes of the Prophet (s) do I own in my character toolbox, and how well do they perform in rough seas: average, satisfactory, excellent?
• Do I think of the Prophet (s) daily?
• Do I seek forgiveness manifold daily?
• Do I endeavour to smile at everyone I pass?
• Do I regularly perform Tahajjud salah?
• Do I practice humility?
• Do I only speak well of others?
• Do I regularly engage in the practice of fasting outside of Ramadan?
• Am I generous? Not only with my wealth, but also my time and knowledge?
• Do I create a safe space for the vulnerable to share their truth, even if it is against me?
• Do I deal gently with others? Or am I harsh?

Grow Well

It’s not about the goal, nor the journey, but who you become on the ride.

What are you doing, and who are you becoming?

Reminder: Global Strike for Gaza. Every Thursday. Every Week.

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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