Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Priorities |
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| Arsalan |
| 03/12/01 at 15:35:05 |
| Mataa3ud dunyaa qaleelun wal aakhiratu khayrun liman ittaqaa ... The pleasure of this world is very little, and the Hereafter is better for the one who fears (His Lord) ... THE HARM IN THE LOVE OF THIS WORLD The harms of loving this world are many and obvious. Love for the life of this world makes people become preoccupied with it and prevents them from doing actions that would benefit them in the next world. As a consequence, we become so drenched in this world that we start neglecting our religious duties because of it. We get distracted from fulfilling our obligations at the right times and in the right manner, and end up wasting our time. We become so preoccupied in this life that we cannot concentrate during a khutbah, a lesson or even salaah! The one who loves this life for its pleasures and prefers it over the next is certainly the lowest of creations, and most stupid. How can someone prefer illusion over reality, a short-lived time over eternal bliss? Such a person is only a fool, and truly a loser. This poem says it best – O people who take pleasure In a world that will vanish, Falling in love With a fading shadow Is sheer stupidity! THOSE WHO DESIRE THIS WORLD, AND THOSE WHO DO NOT Both the kuffar and the Believers fall into this trap. As for the kuffar, who deny the existence of the Hereafter, Allah says: “Surely those who do not look forward to their meeting with Us, but are pleased with the life of this world and feel secure in it, and those who do not pay attention to Our Signs – their abode will be the Fire, because of what they used to earn. (10:7 –8)” These people have only one concern, which is to enjoy the life and its pleasures: “And those who reject take it easy and eat like cattle eat – and the Fire will be their abode (47:12)” As for the Muslims, those who believe in the Afterlife and its rewards and punishment, there are three categories. First, those who are unjust to themselves. Second, those who are mean to themselves. Third, those who are swift in doing the good deeds, by the Will of Allah. [i]Those who are unjust to themselves:[/i] The majority of Muslims today. They are blinded by this world, its charms and its pleasures, and strive to achieve and use it in ways Allah has not commanded. The world is their greatest concern, and they love and hate, and live and die, for its sake. These people believe in the Akhirah, but they do not understand the true meaning of this life, that this is only a stopping place where provisions for the Final Journey are acquired. [i]Those who are mean to themselves:[/i] Most of us, in my opinion. These people take from this world what is permitted, and fulfill their duties in it, but pursue what lies beyond these duties for their own pleasure and in order to enjoy the delights of this world. These people will not be punished for doing such, but their pleasure seeking will diminish their rank in the Aakhirah. Umar (ra) said, “If it had not been for the fact that my station in the Garden might be diminished, I would have imitated you in your life of ease; but Allah has warned some people by saying: “You squandered the good things that you had in the life of the world, and you sought contentment in them. (46:20)” [i]Those who are swift in doing good deeds:[/i] These people understand what this world is meant for and act accordingly. They understand when Allah warns them in Surah Kahf: “Surely we have put what is on the earth as a glittering show so that We may test them, as to which of them have the best actions. (18:7)” They understand that this life is but a test to see who can avoid the pleasures of this world and look patiently for success in the Aakhirah. And they realize the next ayah, which says, “And surely We shall turn what is on it into a heap of dust (18:8)” These people race each other for good deeds in this life. They take from this world only those provisions which are necessary for the journey. Rasulullah used to say, “What have I to do with this world? As regards this world, I am like a rider who rests under the shade of a tree, and then continues his journy and leaves it.” And he also told Umar (ra), “Be in this life as if you were a stranger or a wayfarer.” TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE PLEASURES OF THIS WORLD Whenever the intention behind taking pleasure in what is HALAL is obedience and worship of Allah, then the enjoyment of such pleasures becomes Ibaadah, and a form of reward. Mu’adh ibn Jabal said, “I look forward to Allah’s reward for the time that I spend asleep, just I look forward to it for the time that I spend awake.” Yahya ibn Mu’adh said, “How can I not love this world in which I have been blessed with sustenance that gives me life, when I use this life for worship by means of which I can earn the reward of the Garden?” Abu Safwan ar-Ra’ini was once asked, “What is the life of this world which is criticised in the Qur’an and which those who are prudent should avoid?” He replied, “Everything that you do in this world with the intention of making a profit in this world is blameworthy, and everything that you do in order to profit in the next world has nothing to do with this world.” Said ibn Jubair said it best, when he said, “The provisions of arogance and pride are what distract you from the Akhira. The provisions that do not distract you are the ones which you need – in order to reach what is better than the provisions themselves.” Abu Musa related that the Prophet (saw) said, “Whoever is in love with his life in this world damages his life in the next world, and whoever is in love with his life in the next world damages his life in this world – and you should prefer what lasts forever over what is destined to vanish.” Abdullah ibn Mas’ud addressed some people saying, “You have undertaken more good actions than the companions of the Messenger of Allah (saw) every did, but they are still better than you are because they turned away from worldly pleasures and gains.” [Extracts from [i]Purification of the Soul[/i] ] |
| Re: Priorities |
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| Kathy |
| 03/11/01 at 19:13:56 |
| slm I have a friend that says "it's the life" with a very deep negative sigh. It bothers me alot- but I do not know why. Any thoughts? |
| Re: Priorities |
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| BrKhalid |
| 03/12/01 at 02:25:08 |
| Asalaau Alaikum ;-) I'm not sure I follow your friend's statement Sr Kathy Is it a reflection of the hardships he/she faces in the world? |
| Re: Priorities |
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| Kathy |
| 03/12/01 at 09:08:17 |
| [slm] Yes, she will be telling me something that has happned to her that was bad and will deeply sigh and say 'it's the life' There is something about it that rubs me very wrong. But I do not know why. So I was wondering if there were any hadith that would substaniate my thoughts. |
| Re: Priorities |
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| Arsalan |
| 03/12/01 at 13:45:44 |
| [slm] Teach her to say instead: Alhamdulillahi fee kulli Haal (All Praises be for Allah in all circumstances) |
| Re: Priorities |
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| Daud |
| 03/12/01 at 15:42:29 |
| [quote] Those who are mean to themselves: Most of us, in my opinion. These people take from this world what is permitted, and fulfill their duties in it, but pursue what lies beyond these duties for their own pleasure and in order to enjoy the delights of this world. These people will not be punished for doing such, but their pleasure seeking will diminish their rank in the Aakhirah. [/quote] Insha Allah, can you elaborate on this point/ I do not fully understand it. Thank you (Jazakullah). |
| Re: Priorities |
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| se7en |
| 03/12/01 at 16:25:05 |
| salaam, br daud, hmm... ok flow with me a sec.. Apples. They're halal, we can eat 'em, we can enjoy em. but does this mean we should eat them *all* the time, for breakfast lunch and dinner and nothing else? Of course not, we should be moderate and shouldn't consume too much because that's not healthy. I think that's what the quote is talking about. That there are things that are made permissable to us, but we should enjoy them in moderation and not overindulge, because if we do it won't be healthy for us. And, instead of just spending our time doing that permissable thing, we should try to use our time to gain reward. By doing something that's not just permissable, but something *good*, like studying the Qur'an, teaching children, giving in charity, etc. So we shouldn't be satisfied with spending our time doing something we won't get punished for, we should work to spend our time doing something we'll get rewarded for. You know what I mean? I think the quote is saying yeah, you can keep doing just what's permissable all the time, and you won't be punished for that, but you should spend your time on something that'll *earn* you some good, something that'll help improve your status in the hereafter. And about being mean to yourself...the reason you're working so hard is for yourself, so you can get to jannah... your deeds aren't going to help Allah, they're going to help *you*. So if you don't do whatever you can to earn that reward, you're just screwing yourself over. At least that's what I got from it :) wAllahu 'alam [I hope you understand my analogy about the apples, I was trying to be creative :)] wasalaam. |
| Re: Priorities |
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| Daud |
| 03/12/01 at 16:32:04 |
| OOooooooh, ok, I get it. This group of people just do the "bare minimum" to stay out of the Fire, but really don't work towards a better goal. Like you said, instead of sitting in front of the TV I could be reading the Quran, or instead of blabbing about nothing to a friend I could be doing dhikrAllah. Additionally, we are permitted to enjoy the good and pleasureable things Allah has given us, as long as we do not become attached to them or obsessed with them. Is that the idea??? Jazakullah! |
| Re: Priorities |
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| Arsalan |
| 03/12/01 at 16:43:41 |
| You got it Daud! |
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