A SACRED FORCEFIELD
‘Goodness does not consist in turning your face towards East or West. The truly good are those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, in the angels, the Scripture, and the prophets; who give away some of their wealth, however much they cherish it, to their relatives, to orphans, the needy, travellers and beggars, and to liberate those in bondage; those who keep up the prayer and pay the prescribed alms; who keep pledges whenever they make them; who are steadfast in misfortune, adversity and times of danger. These are the ones who are straight and aware of Allah’ [2:177].
In the above verse, Allah challenges our notion of piety and straightens our understanding.
We should never judge, yet we do, and to make matters worse, we often judge using the wrong standards.
The outward formalism of religion does not necessarily constitute piety. All exterior manifestations may be present, but our interior may be in a state of decay.
To further press the point, dress traditionally associated with Islam, as well as fulfilment of the obligatory dress guidelines by both Muslim men and women, might give the impression of righteousness. But in Surah al-A’raf—The Heights, Allah guides us to who the best-dressed women and men are: ‘Children of Adam, We have given you garments to cover your nakedness and as adornment for you; the garment of God-consciousness is the best of all garments’ [7:26].
Our outer garments hide our nakedness and protect us from the elements. Like clothing, God-consciousness functions similarly. It, too, covers nakedness but that of sin. It does so by shielding us from the evils of this world and our bents.
In verse 7:26, Allah guides us to a forcefield (taqwa). In verse 2:177, Allah provides us with the Bill of Materials to construct it. Then, He blesses us annually with the Month of Taqwa, in which building the forcefield becomes exponentially easier.
Allah does all this for our safety and because He loves us.
LOVE THINE WORK
Work. It conjures many emotions, and most, unfortunately, range from dislike to loathing.
Modern industry and the system that drives it are the biggest culprits for turning toil into a swear word.
But yesteryear, this was not so. People used to connect deeply with their work and found meaning in what they did.
Work was considered sacred, even amongst Prophets.
Allah gave Prophet Dawud (as) a great kingdom. Yet, he still worked by making armour.
I certainly would suffer delusions of grandeur if I had a tiny suburban kingdom, let alone one as vast as Dawud’s (as).
Even Musa (as), who previously was a prince of Egypt, took employment from his future father-in-law and chose to complete the extended term of the contract instead of the shorter one.
Like his brethren, the Prophet Muhammad (s), too, worked.
Even at an early age, when Abu Talib, his uncle and guardian, struggled financially, he (s) decided to become a shepherd and aid the household. The young Muhammad’s scruple would not allow him to be a drain on his family or his community. He then became a flourishing merchant, and later, as a prophet, he never allowed others to do for him what he could do for himself.
The Prophet (s) could have had all the kingdoms of the earth but chose to live a simple life in preference of others. He swept the hearth, mended his clothes and shoes, worked in the field, helped build, and fought in defensive wars.
Muhammad (s) did all this work whilst holding the highest and most demanding office: God’s final messenger.
Noise. Internal and external are inhibitors of productivity.
Allah compares humanity to beasts who are constantly engaged in grazing. Excessive consumption, in all its forms, is a time thief and leaves us bereft of meaningful occupations.
Spiritual fasting remedies this by reducing consumption and creating the time, calm, space, sanctity and impetus to perform more noteworthy deeds.
Until next week, InshaAllah
Zaahied Sallie
Author of The Beloved Prophet – An Illustrated Biography in Rhyme
p.s. Red Kufi Courses are now available, Alhamdulillah. Click to learn more.
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