COVETOUS EYES
For many, even Muslims, their faith is incidental. This fact is not an issue, but it becomes one for those who solely operate as devotees and fail to grow their faith in degrees.
Allah says to those who are devotedly stuck: ‘You who believe, believe in God and His Messenger and in the Scripture He sent down to His Messenger, as well as what He sent down before. Anyone who does not believe in God, His angels, His Scriptures, His messengers, and the Last Day has gone far, far astray’ [4:136].
So, why does Allah call the believers to believe if they already believe? Allah says: ‘You who believe, believe!’
The goal of the verse is to transition us in faith, meaning that if we are merely devotees, people who practice their faith out of habit, culture or because of filial loyalty, we must transform our belief into a deeper more personal relationship using the five critical faith-building blocks: Allah, the Prophet (s), the Quran and its prototypes, the angels, and Judgement Day.
Join me on this Prophetic transformation program.
There will never be a better time than now to step into the role of Prophetic protégé and become the person you were born to be.
THE BEST PLANNER
The adage ‘If you fail to plan, you plan to fail’ is true.
The Prophet’s life bears testimony to just what a meticulous planner he was.
When we plan, the probability of success or improvement increases exponentially. Becoming willing to take a few steps back allows us to leap forward more confidently.
The best and foremost planning we can undertake is mapping our lives in the image of the Prophet (s).
For example, running and physical exercise may prepare us for a marathon, but cultivating the prophetic model readies us for the marathon of life.
The art of fitness and running equips us better for life without transport. The fit runner/walker would not struggle as greatly as someone who’s never had a fitness, walking or running ethic if they suddenly no longer had a car.
Both are sound practices, but in varying degrees.
But cultivating the Prophetic model prepares us for all circumstances, not just specific ones, providing us with the deepest well to draw from: ‘We shall certainly test you with fear and hunger, and loss of property, lives, and crops’ [2:155].
A danger lurks at the beginning of everything. If we are oblivious to it, we risk it sullying our endeavours.
The egoic self constantly stalks us. Though unsure of its attribution, the following quote proves its gravitas: ‘The ego is more foul than seventy satans.’
To safeguard ourselves, we can beseech: ‘O Allah, bless me to go forth with my heart, not my ego. And increase me in humility, sincerity and patience.’
To customise your invocation, replace ‘go forth’ with whatever you set out to do.
Here are a couple of examples:
‘O Allah, bless me to run with my heart, not my ego. And increase me in humility, sincerity and patience.’ (This invocation will protect us from injury and showing off, inshaAllah.)
‘O Allah, bless me to serve with my heart, not my ego. And increase me in humility, sincerity and patience.’ (This invocation will protect us from insincerity, seeking plaudits and fame, inshaAllah.)
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
Thanks for reading. Every Friday, I share thoughts and ideas to help cultivate the link between Allah, the Prophet and me (meaning YOU). Enter your email now and become part of the link.
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