In-na liLLAH wa in-na ilayhi raaji'oon. (Holy Qur’an / 2:156)
To ALLAH do we belong and to Him we will return.
Many of us, by lapse of time, may have already traversed more than half our life's journey in this world, yet remain somewhat oblivious to the fact that we are on the return leg. Back to ALLAH.
This could hold true for both young and old. Age is but a number.
We all start our life journey, at birth, with a pure and clean heart. The question is, what will be the condition of that heart entrusted to us, when we meet ALLAH.
"Except for him who comes to ALLAH with a sound heart.
But he alone (will be the gainer) who appears in the presence of
ALLAH with a heart protected (from) and pure (of all evils). {Holy Qur’an / 26:89}
Life is indeed a journey, and to enjoy the ride, you have to decide…
And of the things that you have to decide on, to facilitate a smooth flow, is to "stay in your lane". At the same time, try to steer clear of life's many "bumps" and "potholes" that lay ahead.
Depending on the circumstances, looking straight ahead, may not always be the best option.
Nasty surprises can wreck your suspension…not to mention.. your intention…
to follow the Siraatul Mustaqeem(straight PATH) . If we travel the same route on our daily commute, chances are, we will bump into the same obstacles every time.
Often, the greatest obstacles along our journey towards ALLAH, are those who we choose
to "bump into" daily…Our friends. We have to exercise caution when choosing friends.
Hadhrat Abu Hurairah(RadiyALLAHU Anhu) reported that
the Prophet(SalaLLAHU Alayhi wa Sallam) said ;
"A man is upon the Deen of His best friend. So let one of you look at whom he befriends".
[ Sunan At-Tirmidhi]
If you make ALLAH (and the friends of ALLAH), your friends, you will be on the Deen of ALLAH, and with steadfastness, you will travel the straight road. Insha-ALLAH.
On life's journey, "staying in our lanes" would be good and well if we were living in a perfect world. Reality though, is painted with a different brush, As Muslims, if ALLAH has granted us the capacity to make a positive difference, in society, we are obliged to do so. Advisable though, would be to tread cautiously, and not maliciously transgress limits, by delving into matters that do not concern us. When it come to the integrity of others, we should not give shaytaan the benefit of our doubts. However if we are aware of a situation that could bring potential loss or harm to us, or to others, it is our duty to take appropriate action.
After fair consideration, if we do feel obliged to be part of the solution to a problem and engage in "damage control", we have to cautiously navigate our way between two particular ahaadeeth of our beloved Prophet(SalaLLAHU Alayhi wa Sallam).
On the authority of Abu Hurairah(RadiyALLAHU Anhu) who said ;
ALLAH’S Messenger(SalaLLAHU Alayhi wa Sallam) said ;
"Part of the perfection of one's Islam is his leaving that which does not concern him".
[At-Tirmidhi]
In another Hadith, narrated by Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri(RadiyALLAHU Anhu),
ALLAH’S Messenger(SalaLLAHU Alayhi wa Sallam) said,
Whoever amongst you sees an evil, he must change it with his hand,
if he is unable to do so, then with this tongue, and if he is unable to do so, then with his heart, and that is the weakest form of Imaan".
Together with intellectual reasoning, and the capacity to act, sincerety of intent is a key factor when seeking to right a wrong, especially when simply doing nothing is not a viable option.
Acting out, speaking out, or at the very least being sympathetic are the possible options to engage in, with the last being the least, as has been mentioned in the hadeeth.
In keeping with the traffic analogy, If we are unable to pull over and remove something harmful from the road, or warn others about the impending danger, at the very least we should sincerely hope (pray) that nobody suffers harm.
On life's journey, there those who have been down the "treacherous road" well travelled. By the fadhl of ALLAH, they came to realise their error, and through taubah, they have made a U-turn, and are heading in the right direction, towards the obedience of ALLAH. If perchance, on your own life journey, you too are heading in the wrong direction, stuck in a jam of transgression, learn from those who have "been there… done that", and through sincere Taubah, have turned their lives around. When they flash warning lights of guidance towards you, trying to make you aware of "dangers and obstacles" you may encounter, do not get annoyed. Rather heed the warning. Put your "hazards" on acknowledging" that you have a problem. Then slowly and cautiously, through the agency of sincere Taubah(repentance), make the U-turn of your life, and find a safer alternate route, towards ALLAH.
However, if "dramatic" is your thing, instead of hazards and all that stuff, put foot" towards the "danger zone", then pull a sudden drifting handbrake turn, "burn some rubber (aka bad bridges with those keeping you from ALLAH). Then, with solid Taubah/istighfaar, put the" pedal to the metal" and speed away towards the Siraatul Mustaqeem (ALLAH'S straight path). Most of your friends will be blown away, some of them even impressed, at how you changed your life.
Even shaytaan, the once close connect of your nafs, will be in shock. Somewhat dazed and confused. A word of caution though. Any dramatic moves is all about skill and timing, cause if you mess it up, you could end up drifting into a "dangerous ditch" of devilish deception. Then you'll need seriously strong Tau-bah, to "tow" you out of a really tough situation.
Do not despair. No matter how deep you find yourself in your wayward ways, with ALLAH, there's always a way out for those who turn to Him in humble submission.
"And whosoever fears ALLAH, and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty) He will provide for him from sources he could never imagine.
And whosoever puts his trust in ALLAH, then He will suffice for him.
Verily ALLAH will accomplish His purpose.
Indeed ALLAH has set a measure for all things".{Holy Qur’an 65:2-3}
{ I. C. A. N. (16 Ramadhan 1445 / 27 March 2024)}