“Say, O ye people, If you are in doubt as to my Religion, then [know that] I do not
worship that what you worship, other than ALLAH. But I worship ALLAH, Who causes
your death. I have been commanded to be in the ranks of the Believers”.
{Holy Qur’an / 10:104}
Abu Yahya Suhaib bin Sinan (RadhiyALLAHU Anhu) reported that ALLAH’S
Messenger (SalaLLAHU Alayhi Wa Sallam) said,
“How wonderful is the case of a Believer. There is good for him in everything, and this
applies only to a Believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to ALLAH,
and that is good for him, and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently, and that
is better for him”. (Sahih-e- Muslim) / [Rayaad-us-Saliheen, Hadith 27]
Also unique for the Believers is the capacity to “send forward” to the Hereafter, a
portion of what they have accumulated in this world.
Aameerul Mu’mineen, Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (RadhiyALLAHU Anhu) stated that
“The things of this world are (merely) a means of existence, and the best of such
means are those which are moderate”.
Pertaining to the Masnun Du’aa; RAB-BANAA AATINAA FID-DUNYAA HASSANAA…
Aameerul Mu’mineen, Umar bin Khattab (RadhiyALLAHU Anhu) was of the opinion
that the “best in this world” are those things which help you to attain the best in
Aakhirah, and serves as a means of saving you from Jahannam (hell-fire).
All of mankind has the potential to attain this, however it comes with two crucial
pre-conditions. TAUHEED…and RISAALAT.
TAUHEED. Belief in the Oneness of ALLAH (God), that He is the ALMIGHTY, Possessor
of all the Might, totally free of having any partner/partners ascribed to Him.
RISAALAT. Believing in all ALLAH’S (true) Prophets, and more specifically in the
Prophethood of ALLAH’S final Messenger, Muhammad (SalaLLAHU Alayhi Wa
Sallam).
Holding these beliefs is key to one having any hope of meeting up with whatever
(good) that you may have “sent forward”.
A GREAT MISUNDERSTANDING amongst disbelievers and those who ascribe partners
to ALLAH is that they too have the privilege of “sending forward” to the Hereafter
the good they have done in this world. The only “vehicle” to transport the effect
(rewards) of our deeds across realms, from this world to the next is TAUHEED.
Any beliefs other than TAUHEED (believing in the Oneness ALLAH)is unpardonable in
the sight of ALLAH (God), and unacceptable in His court.
The first of the Ten Commandments in the Bible that Christians are expected to obey
is “Thou shalt have no (other) Gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3)
It is highly imperative that not only Christians, but all of mankind uphold this
command, because, despite Him being Most Merciful ALLAH (God) is a “Jealous” God
and does not forgive Shirk and Kufr.
“You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am
jealous God…” (Exodus 20:5)
It must be noted that ALLAH’S (God’s) “jealousy” stems not from (the weak human
trait of) envy, for He is the Master and Owner of all that is “seen and unseen”. It is
born from the fact that, in spite of His Benevolent Kindness, from amongst mankind
there or those who ungratefully equate partners with Him, with some, even most
audaciously denying His very Existence. No matter how much goodness and
excellence of character the disbelievers and Mushrikeen may display, all of it is of
this world, and their reward will be in this world. Either they will live comfortable
lives, or they will be be honoured and receive accolades for their works, or, in spite
of relative conditions of want, ALLAH will maintain them with blessings in their
faculties of health. Certainly, from the afore-mentioned, good health is from among
the greatest bounties of ALLAH to be visited upon man. Many from the world’s elite
and wealthy who find themselves physically incapacitated will attest to this fact.
Some may take exception to the fact that many Muslims get to enjoy “the best of
both worlds”, by virtue of material prosperity, despite a Hadith stating that “The
world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the unbeliever”. [Sahih Muslim]
It is common knowledge that even prisoners (in this world) often receive special
privileges for obedience and good behaviour. More tellingly though, about Muslim
prosperity is their constant expression of gratitude to ALLAH.
In the Holy Qur’an , ALLAH Promises; La in shakartum la’azidan-nakum.
(If you are grateful, I will bestow more favours unto (upon) you). {Holy Qur’an/14:7}
Gratitude to ALLAH is not only about lip-service, but also obedience to ALLAH. Other
forms of gratitude are display of good character, as well as a show of benevolent
kindness to all of ALLAH’S creation. A salient feature of the Muslim community is
their readiness to step up at the time of humanitarian crises, whether it be impacting
Muslims or non-Muslims. Sincerely striving to be the personification of the Hadith,
“…The best of people are those who are most beneficial to people”. [Hadith Tabrani]
The crux of the matter, regarding our existence, even for Believers, is about what we
“send forward”, to be enjoyed in the Hereafter. As Believers, we should not rest on
our laurels, comfortable in the fact that what we “send forward” will reach its
destination. In spite of our Imaan granting us a free pass to the privilege of “sending
forward” to the Hereafter, our deeds are held to the standard of SINCERITY, intended
solely for seeking ALLAH’S Pleasure. Without this standard of acceptance, we too
could find ourselves going by the fallacious notion of a GREAT MISUNDERSTANDING
that much awaits us in the Hereafter. May ALLAH save all of the Ummah from this
disastrous calamity of failure and disappointment.
“…Rab-banaa taqab-bal min-naa, in-naka antas Samee ul Aleem”.
(…Our Lord accept from us, You are the all Hearing, the all Knowing)
{Holy Qur’an / 2:127}