THE GREAT FLED
Goodness in and of itself is reproachful to wickedness. It does not have to speak or censure. All it must do is show up; be present. Hence, evildoers view probity in others as an affront. It is not only true of sinners. Goodness viewed in others by nature causes discomfort to those not practising it.
A quote I heard and remembered from decades ago succinctly speaks to this: ‘Do and speak what is right, and those who are wrong will eventually leave your life.’ Unknown
I’ve heard people lament, ‘They’ve gone for Hajj, now they want to be holy,’ about returning pilgrims who desire to live better lives.
Such casuistry and specious reasoning are completely absurd. Is the purpose of the Hajj not about transforming the self?
I believe guilt triggers our antagonism when our souls witness the truth, especially in those whose company we keep. Egos hate the mirror reflecting their deficiencies, and have no clue about the real meaning of fellowship: “For those things that are good, remove those that are evil” [11:114].
So keep doing good to purify yourself from vices and those whose company serves you not.
THE WRONG PICTURE
The picture you may hold about someone may no longer be the same as when you left them.
People change for better or worse.
But we must believe God can easily change people into sounder versions of themselves. If we don’t, we will doubt that God can change us, too.
Thus, a sound heart strives against its proclivities to have good opinions of others. To do so means keeping God in high regard: ‘Believers, avoid making too many assumptions–some assumptions are sinful–and do not spy on one another or speak ill of people behind their backs: would any of you like to eat the flesh of your dead brother? No, you would hate it. So be mindful of God: God is ever relenting, most merciful’ [49:12].
The Messenger of Allah (s) said: ‘Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, says: ‘I am as My servant thinks of Me, and I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me to himself, I remember him to Myself. If he remembers Me in a gathering, I remember him in a gathering better than theirs. If he draws near to Me by a hand’s span, I draw near to him by an arm’s length; and if he draws near to Me by an arm’s length, I draw near to him by a fathom’s length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running’ [Muslim].
Apart from giving us the map to foster the preeminent relationship and all other relationships, this hadith also addresses our stinking thinking, which is critical for breaking through self-loathing and loathing of others. We are, and we get what we think.
So think only good of Allah by thinking good of His servants.
If we allow anything other than Allah and His Prophet (s) to preside over us, we become slaves to the world.
So, who presides over you?
Are you Abd Allah (servant of God), or Abd al-‘ard (servant of the world)?
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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