Diary Of A Muslim Girl

Part.19 (The reality of this world)

One of the things that we need to remind ourselves of is that this life is temporary. Did anyone live forever? Never.
We know from the Qur'an that the Day of Judgment will be 50 thousand years long (70:4).
On that Day, people would think they haven't lived but an hour of the day on this earth (10:45).

So let's think about it: what is 70-80 years we live on this earth compared to 50 thousand years?

What is 70-80 years compared to the eternal life that follows the Day of Judgment?

According to the hadith, on the Day of Resurrection, a righteous person who has experienced extreme misery in the life of this world will be dipped in Jannah. Then he will be asked: 'O son of Adam! Did you ever experience any misery? Did you ever encounter difficulty?' He will say: "By Allah, no my Lord, I neither experienced misery nor passed through hardship" [Muslim]

So one dip in Jannah would have the most miserable human being forget the most miserable experiences he/she ever had in the temporary life of this world.

Why are we saying that?

Because no matter how hard, difficult our situations may be, they will end. Life in its entirety will end. We shall not be saddened too much about matters of this worldly life. What we should be concerned about, however, is our relationship with Allah. This is the one thing that we establish here, and we take with us for eternity. What we do here determines our eternity.

Remembering Our Purpose

When Allah [swt] created Adam, He said "And He taught Adam the names-all of them....." (Qur'an 2: 31). This is not a fleeting moment of history. This is a reality of life: Allah [swt] teaches us. The word 'Rabb' (Lord) in Arabic comes from the word 'tarbiyaa' (education). Allah [swt] is the Supreme Educator. We will learn from everything that happens in our lives. There is a lesson, a message, a meaning and a wisdom that is placed for us in every experience we go through- good or bad. We just need our hearts and minds to be attentive.

We also understand from the Qur'an and the prophetic hadiths that Allah [swt] essentially wants us to deeply know Him, fall in love with Him and develop a relationship with Him. This relationship will be carried with us when we live near Him for eternity in an eternal Jannah.

Allah [swt] says that He created mankind to worship Him (51: 56). This is not an empty, robotic kind of prayer. This is a day to day commitment. Just contemplating on the meanings of what we say in the five daily prayers would reveal that not a day passes but we acknowledge Allah, remember Him, seek wisdom from Him, seek meaning, clarity, aid and guidance...
And Allah [swt] says that if we turn our back or walk away from Him that He would bring other people "He will love, and who will love Him" (5: 54).

So, the essence and core of our relationship with Allah [swt] is to absolutely and entirely love Him. How do you love someone without getting to know them? If you wish to know someone, you need to listen to them and spend time with them. Right?
Allah [swt] has given us His Words [the Qur'an], and a life time to get to know Him, experience His names and attributes and grow in knowledge and longing to Him.

Now when someone is in a loving relationship with someone else, doesn't he/she promise to hold on to the other for better and for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health?

Now if we maintain our loving relationship with Allah, obey, follow, worship, commit and think highly of Him only when things are going well..... Is this really true love or sincere commitment?

What is the purpose of life if it's ease, after ease after ease, and then we die and end up in eternal ease...?
Tests and challenges give life meaning and show the true nature of people and their faith.

We will continue to be put in situations that test our true faith. This is not to break our backs, but this is to elevate us in status and connection with Allah Almighty, if we continue to hold on to Him.

The Last and Final Messenger of God, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself went through a series of major difficulties. His people boycotted him for 3 years. He and his companions had to eat tree leaves out of hunger. It was a major economic and social crisis for them. He then lost his uncle who was his loyal protector and main social support. Shortly after, he lost his wife, the most beloved person to his heart in the world and his main source of emotional support. When he attempted to travel and carry on with his mission of calling people to their Creator, he was received with insult and humiliation to the extent that children ran after him calling him names and throwing rocks at his blessed feet until he bled (peace and blessings upon the beloved!).

But then what happened?

His love of Allah and neediness of Him only grow stronger, and Allah honored him and elevated him beyond any other human being! He was granted the Isra' and Mi'raj journey. It is the incomparably honorable opportunity to ascend to the Highest Heaven, and get closer to the Creator more so than any other man or even angel was able to get to The Source of Existence, The Source of Light, The One God.

So, sometimes the darkest moments are means to receive the greatest gifts.

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