Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Anxiety-8 |
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| Haniff |
| 08/11/01 at 10:18:05 |
| Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh No place for coincidence God says in the Qur'an: "Hallowed is He who has bestowed from on high, step by step, upon His servant the standard by which to discern the true from the false, so that to all the world it might be a warning: He to whom the dominion over the heavens and the Earth belongs, and who begets no offspring, and has no partner in His dominion. It is He who creates every thing and determines its nature in accordance with (His meticulous) design." (25:1-2) One of the main reasons of anxiety is the feeling that disaster may just fall upon one suddenly. A person may think that only by being alert and taking precautions he can avoid disasters. Nevertheless, he remains worried because despite all precautions, he may sometimes meet with disaster totally unexpectedly. Disaster may come from any quarter. Moreover, in their daily activities, human beings may have to do certain matters involving taking a measure of risk, little as it may be. A believer, on the other hand, finds in his faith, which by necessity includes the belief in God's will and destiny, effective protection against anxiety. Indeed no person's faith is complete unless it encompasses all essential elements which include belief in God's will and destiny attributing all matters, good and bad, to God's will. Whatever happens in the universe, whether as a result of the operation of natural laws or the actions of creatures who enjoy a measure of freedom of action, takes place by God's will. It is He who has set all natural laws in operation, and who granted different measures of freedom, will and ability to His creatures. He knows all that takes place now, or will take place in future. He may either leave it to happen or interfere to prevent its happening. He may also let events move in a particular direction in order to produce the results He has determined. God's "leave", which allows events to proceed, and His active "will", which directs events by His express command, are two faces of the same coin. Together they make everything that takes place in the universe a result of God's will. He either knew of it beforehand and allowed it to go through, or He wanted it to happen and interfered to ensure that it becomes a reality. God says in the Qur'an: “Everything have We created in due measure and proportion. Our ordaining (a thing and its coming into being) is but one act, like the twinkling of an eye.” (54: 49-50) Unlike the feeling that things happen haphazardly and by coincidence, the belief in God's will and destiny will impart tranquillity and reassurance to the believer. It is related that Ibraheem ibn Adham, a learned devout, passed by a man whose face betrayed much worry and anxiety. Ibraheem said to him that he wanted him to answer three questions: 1. Does anything happen in the universe unless God wants it? 2. Can anything be taken away from his lot when God has willed to grant it to him? 3. Would his life be shortened by a second if God has willed him to live? To each question, the man replied, "No." Said Ibraheem, "Over what are you so worried then?" The belief in God's will and in destiny does not negate the operation of natural laws, man's freedom of action and other matters that have an effect on us. But all these operate within God's will. Disasters do not fall on our heads at random, even though they may appear to do so. They occur by God's will and according to His design. What is important is that one should not bring it all upon oneself. Rather, he should try to avoid disaster by every means. Taking such precautions and supplication to God to spare us disaster operate as part of God's will which may repel another part of it. The Prophet says: "Nothing repels destiny except prayer." (Related by Ibn Majah). When one has taken precautions against disaster and prayed God to spare him all misfortune, one reacts with patience to any adversity that may befall him. He realizes that it only occurs by God's will who says in the Qur'an: "No calamity can ever befall the Earth, or your own selves, unless it be (laid down) in Our decree before We bring it into being: indeed, all this is easy for God. (Know this,) so that you may not despair over whatever (good) has escaped you nor exult over whatever (good) He has given you. God does not love any of those who, out of self-conceit, act in a boastful manner." (57: 22-23) Exultance which is censured in the above quoted Qur'anic verses is different from normal pleasure and rejoice at the blessings granted. Whatever we enjoy comes from God, through His grace, and by avoiding arrogance and show off. It is further expressed by using such blessings to enhance one's position in the life to come, without neglecting or overlooking one's share of the lawful pleasures of this world. In addition, as we feel that the blessings we enjoy have been granted to us by God, we must be kind to others, making sure that we do no injustice to any one. When a person does all that, he shows genuine gratitude to God for His blessings. [i]By Dr Muhammad Kamal Al-Shareef - Arab News - 27 March 2000[/i] Wassalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh Haniff (with 2 f's) |
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