ADETOLA-KAZEEM AHMED

A Sister's Reflection A sister pondered over this verse (إِنَّ لَكَ أَلَّا تَجُوعَ فِيهَا وَلَا تَعْرَىٰ): “Indeed, it is [promised] for you not to be hungry therein or be unclothed.” (Taahaa 20: 118) and came up with this beautiful reflection: “By Allaah, had there been any good whatsoever in being unclothed or half-naked; it surely would have been one of the enjoyments of Paradise!”

If you crave Allaah’s love, humble yourself: (إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْتَكْبِرِينَ.) سورة النحل الآية 23 "Indeed, He [Allaah] does not like the arrogant." (An-Nahl 16:23) If you desire to have a place in that Blissful Abode of the Hereafter, purge your interior of traces of overbearing pride. (تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوًّا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فَسَادًا ۚ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ) القصص 83 "That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous." (Al-Qasas 28:83)

REFLECTIONS In Surah Al-Hijr, verses 97-99, Allaah says, the interpretation of the meaning of which goes thus: “We do indeed know how your heart is distressed at what they say. So glorify the praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him). And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty (i.e., death).” (Al-Hijr 15: 97-99) A few reflections from the verses: - It is naïve to assume that negative remarks from people are avoidable. Who are we? People did say worst things about the best man that ever walked on the surface of the earth! - It is absolutely natural to be grieved by negative things people say about us. Such grieving is unrelated to our Eemaan or lack thereof. The best of Allaah’s Prophets and Messenger (ﷺ) was indeed grieved by negative things people said about him. Yet those things did not affect the perfectness of his Eemaan and piety. - Islaam does not dwell on persons or individuals. Rather, it addresses actions. The key phrase “what they say” without making any allusion to who says it is instructive in this regard. Perhaps, there is a lesson in this for us on how to manage our interrelations. - We will have to cope with negative remarks made about us as long as we live. The tense in the theme of the above verses is simple present: ‘they say’. Simple present tenses indicate regularity and continuity. The instruction to worship Allaah until death comes, as a means of handling negative comments, may also be another indication that expectation of perpetual negative remarks about us should be a part of our lives. - Since hearing negative remarks is absolutely unescapable, then it remains how to make the best out of them. Rather than expending our energy and time on throwing tantrum, hitting back at detractors, going defensive or seeking the approval of fellow mortals, the focus should be on: (a) increasing our righteous deeds – particularly remembrance of Allaah (which, of course, includes self-introspection to see where we have done wrong and act accordingly), (b) engaging in more acts of worship, and (c) most importantly being punctual and dedicated in observance of obligatory prayers and performance of more supererogatory prayers. - In ensuring steadfastness during challenging and difficult times, nothing aids as strongly as salaah does. (Ibn Katheer, in his comment on verse 45 of Soorah Al-Baqarah). Likewise, the Prophet (ﷺ) would always resort to salaah whenever a matter worried him. (At-Tirmidhee; classified as Saheeh by Al-Albaanee). May Allaah benefit and elevate us with His Wise Book and the pure Sunnah of His noble Prophet (ﷺ)!

A man ponderingly gazed at a beautiful palace. He then turned to his friend and said: “Where were we when this wealth was being shared?!” In response, his friend just held his hand and took him to a hospital. There, he answered his question: “Where were we when these diseases were being shared?” Appreciate what you have and thank Allaah for it; you will worry less about what you don’t have.