HOW I WOULD LOVE TO DIE

One of the earliest lessons my childhood impressed upon me was the inevitability of death. I remember lying awake, heart racing at the mere mention of it, a fear so visceral it felt almost physical. Over time, however, I made a deliberate peace with that fear. I resigned myself to faith and resolved to let death serve as a constant reminder: an incentive toward good and a deterrent from evil. There is not a day that passes without death crossing my mind. It has become, quite simply, second nature. This brings me to the theme of today's reflection: how I would love to die.

Throughout my life, I have nursed a pathological aversion to asking people for help. I am, in the truest sense, allergic to dependence. This deeply-held disposition shapes my thinking about how I would prefer to leave this world. I would not want my death to become a burden that my loved ones lack the capacity to bear. A prolonged, debilitating illness, the kind that drains a family financially and emotionally over months or years, is not the exit I would choose for myself. A brief illness, on the other hand, strikes me as the ideal compromise: enough time for sins to be expiated through suffering, yet brief enough to spare my family an ordeal that could break them.

I have always been a person who thinks several steps ahead. Living one day at a time as I currently do, I have nonetheless given considerable thought to how I hope to exit this world, not out of morbidity, but out of the same deliberateness with which I approach everything else in life. One might ask: what of your goals, your ambitions, your unfinished work? My answer is simple. Beyond the ultimate goal of leaving this world in a state that earns the pleasure of Allah and attaining Jannah, nothing else holds permanent weight. Everything else is scaffolding, useful while the building goes up, but ultimately temporary.

That said, I want to be clear: I do not live a life weighed down by gloom. I had to pause an absorbing historical fantasy novel just to sit down and write this. Life, for me, is rich and engaging. I find that dhikr brings an unmatched tranquillity to the heart, a stillness that grounds me even in restless moments. I am no saint, I fail, and I fail often, but failure only sharpens my resolve. Every stumble is a reminder of what I am striving toward: to leave this world in a state where Allah is most pleased with me.

If I am being completely honest, my most preferred manner of death is a sudden one. No prolonged suffering, no economic strain on those I love, no drawn-out farewells. Yet I recognise that sudden death, Islamically, carries its complexities, the question of whether one is caught in a moment of readiness or otherwise. Hence my earlier compromise: a brief illness, enough to prompt repentance and reflection, but mercifully short. I keep an updated wasiyyah for precisely this reason. Death has been factored into my life not as something to dread, but as something to prepare for.

In the end, this world is temporary, a waiting room, not a destination. I would rather sacrifice its fleeting comforts for the eternal comforts of what lies beyond. May Allah keep me steadfast upon the deen, and take my life at a moment when He is most pleased with me.

Ameen.

A NEW HOPE

 I have began a challenge for the current three-consecutive sacred months ( Zhul-qa'adah 1445, Zhul-hijjah 1445 and Muharram 1446). My hope is that success in this challenge will lead to a new phase in my life. 

Alhamdulillah for all the blessings in my life. Allah has made things super easy for me in spite of my shortcomings. In sha Allah, I will be super productive in my next phase of life. Oh Allah, guide and direct all my affairs. 

Benefits of Lowering the Gaze: My Path to Spiritual Enlightenment

 My journey into understanding the profound benefits of lowering the gaze began with a compelling lecture by Sheikh Abdurrazzaq bn Abdulmuhsin Al-badr, which led me to explore Ibn Al-Qayyim's insightful book, 'The Illness and the Medicine'. Inspired by the wisdom shared, I've decided to commit myself to this practice in my daily life, with the hope that it will bring me closer to spiritual fulfillment and inner peace, in sha Allah.

Ibn Al-Qayyim eloquently outlines ten life-changing benefits of this practice, each serving as a beacon guiding me towards a path of righteousness and self-improvement:

1. Divine Submission: Adhering to Allah’s commandment to lower the gaze is the essence of servitude and the key to happiness in this life and hereafter. It is a clear path away from sadness, which stems from disobedience.
2. Guarding the Heart: By lowering the gaze, we shield our hearts from the destructive 'poisoned arrows' of sin, preserving our spiritual well-being.
3. Spiritual Closeness: Maintaining a modest gaze fosters a deeper connection with Allah, as indulging in what's forbidden can drive a wedge between a servant and the Divine.
4. Heart's Strength: Choosing modesty strengthens and delights the heart, whereas succumbing to temptation leads to its weakening and sorrow.
5. Inner Light: This discipline ushers light into the heart, aligning with the divine wisdom that follows the commandment in Suratun-Nur, juxtaposing physical sight with spiritual illumination.
6. Truthful Insight: A modest gaze rewards one with discernment between truth and falsehood, opening doors to deeper knowledge and understanding, as promised by Allah.
7. Courage and Honor: Lowering the gaze cultivates a strong, brave, and dignified heart, aligning with Allah’s assurance that honor comes from piety and obedience.
8. Protection from Satan: It acts as a shield against Satan's influences, which can infiltrate the heart through careless visual engagements.
9. Divine Focus: It helps maintain a focus on Allah's teachings and prevents the distractions and decay brought on by following mere whims and desires.
10. Pure Heart and Vision: There exists a profound connection between the heart and sight; purity in one reflects in the other, guiding one towards divine presence and away from corruption.

These profound insights from Ibn-Al-Qayyim serve as a constant reminder and motivation for me to adhere to this virtuous path. I pray that Allah grants us all the strength and willpower to lower our gaze from the forbidden, enabling us to embody the purity and righteousness that leads to His divine pleasure. Amen.

The Inspiring Tale of a Courageous Child

A recent video on Twitter has captured the hearts and minds of many, showcasing a profound moment in the life of a two-year-old child. In the video, the child, visibly distraught and on the verge of circumcision, does something remarkable: he recites Suratun Nas (Chapter 114 of the Qur'an). His tears were not merely out of fear of the physical procedure but were interwoven with a deep invocation for Allah's protection.

Amidst this emotional scene, some online commenters have unfortunately missed the profound essence of this moment, choosing instead to mock the child's impending circumcision. This perspective, however, overlooks the significant lessons embedded in the child's actions.

The first lesson lies in the child's instinctive reaction. Instead of calling out for his parents in his moment of fear, he turned to reciting the Qur'an. This choice reflects the remarkable upbringing he has received, emphasizing the importance of faith and reliance on Allah even in the most trying times. It's a testament to his mother's piety and dedication to proper Islamic nurturing (tarbiyya). Such an upbringing is not only admirable but also serves as an inspiration for potential parents. The essence of marriage and parenthood, as highlighted by this incident, transcends beyond the mere continuation of a family line; it's about raising individuals who uphold and propagate the worship of Allah.

The second lesson is the child's inherent understanding of tauhid, evident in his preference to call upon Allah rather than seeking immediate comfort from his parents. Furthermore, his choice of Suratun Nas during a moment when he sought protection is particularly poignant. While this may have been an instinctive act, it is a powerful reminder for all of us about the relevance and comfort the Qur'an can provide in times of need.

This incident is a teachable moment that turns the tables on those who chose to ridicule it. It highlights the purity of a child's faith and the profound impact of religious upbringing. If the prospect of having a child with such deep-rooted faith and understanding is within reach, it certainly makes the pursuit of marriage and parenthood all the more worthwhile.

We pray that Allah continues to guide and direct all our affairs, illuminating our paths with such inspiring examples.

Exploring the Language of Paradise: Reflections on Jannah's Lingua Franca

 The Power of Language: A Personal Journey

From a young age, I've been captivated by languages. The moment I learned Suratul Baqarah, I was struck by the profound idea that Allah bestowed upon Prophet Adam the gift of speech. This divine endowment, teaching him the names of all things, elevated him above the angels. This story highlights the potent and sacred nature of language in our spiritual and worldly lives.

The Curiosity of Language in Jannah

As I grew older, my fascination with languages evolved into a more profound curiosity - what will be the language spoken in Jannah, the eternal abode promised to us, in sha Allah. It's a common belief that Arabic, being the language of the Qur'an and our beloved Prophet, would be the language of Paradise. However, there isn’t any explicit 'nass' (text) in the Qur'an or Hadith that confirms this. I often wonder if Jannah, being a place of unity and unparalleled splendor, will feature a more homogeneous means of communication, possibly a single language understood by all.

Speculations and Reverence

While it's essential to approach religious matters with due reverence and avoid baseless conclusions, it's human nature to ponder over the unknown. If the language of Jannah were one that existed in our world, Arabic would be a likely candidate. However, the Quran reminds us that the pleasures and realities of Jannah are beyond our earthly comprehension. Perhaps, in His infinite wisdom and creativity, Allah might bless us with a new language, uniquely crafted for the souls in Paradise.

A Blend of Earthly and Divine

Imagine a language that combines the beauty, depth, and richness of all earthly languages, yet is divinely ordained and tailored for the inhabitants of Jannah. A language that transcends earthly limitations, embodying the unity and harmony of Paradise.

Your Thoughts?

What are your thoughts or interpretations on this matter? Do you envisage Jannah’s language as a continuation of our worldly tongues, or as something entirely new and divine? I invite you to share your reflections and join me in this intriguing contemplation.

A Closing Prayer

As we navigate our worldly lives, let us cherish the languages we speak, each a testament to our diverse and rich cultures, yet all originating from that first divine utterance to Prophet Adam. In the meantime, I look forward to the day we may learn the language of Jannah. Oh Allah, make us among the successful.

Reflecting on the Gaza Crisis: A Call for Peace and Wisdom

The ongoing crisis in Gaza is heart-wrenching. The relentless bombardment by Israeli forces has turned much into rubble, tragically claiming the lives of over 18,000 people, predominantly civilians. As a witness to these events, I am compelled to express my thoughts.

The Cycle of Violence: A Critique

In this conflict, the actions of both Hamas and Israel are deeply troubling. The strategy of resistance adopted by Hamas, at the cost of numerous lives, is questionable. Similarly, Israel's aggressive tactics exacerbate the situation. This cycle of violence seems unending, breeding more despair.

A Religious Dimension: Al-Aqsa Mosque

As a Muslim, the situation resonates on a religious level, particularly with Al-Aqsa Mosque remaining under Israeli occupation. This adds a dimension of a religious conflict, yet it is imperative to approach this with wisdom.

A Call for Peaceful Solutions

Peaceful resolutions must be sought. The idea of resettling Palestinians, while contentious, could be a path towards lasting peace. Israel controls the entire land in historic Palestine. A two-state solution at this point may just be a fantasy. Such a move, the resettling, focused on the long-term well-being and economic prosperity of the people, could provide a safer and more stable future. Another viable option is a one-state solution with all Palestinians given Israeli citizenship (fair and equal status, not second-class citizenship). We need to be more pragmatic in the modern age. This is a time of capitalism and economic imperialism. Brute force will most likely be counterproductive. 

A Prayer for Peace

In these trying times, my prayer is for the protection of innocent Muslims and an end to hostilities. May Almighty Allah guide all our actions and direct us towards wise solutions that adhere to the shari'ah. 

IMAN WAVE EQUATION

Iman, like a wave, is a concept that can be characterized by its ups and downs. A wave is a disturbance that travels through a medium, transporting energy from one location to another without transporting matter. Similarly, Iman is a concept that can increase and decrease. The Qur'an and the Sunnah provide numerous examples that support the fact that Iman can rise and fall. For instance, Quran 4:136 urges believers to believe in Allah and His Messenger, while Quran 48:4 mentions that Allah sent down tranquility into the hearts of the believers, increasing their faith along with their present faith. On the other hand, the Prophet SAW said that a fornicator who fornicates is not a believer while he is committing the act.

Just like a wave can be defined by an equation, Iman can be defined by its characteristics. The Iman wave can be described as a positive sine curve that starts from zero and goes up to a maximum of one before coming back down to zero and then dropping to a minimum of minus one before returning to zero. The disturbance in Iman changes with time, just like a wave.

A person who reverts to Islam starts with zero Iman and can increase it through good deeds. Conversely, bad deeds can decrease Iman. The default position for a believer is between zero and one, depending on the deeds performed. However, some sins can return a person to zero Iman while the action is ongoing, and afterward, the person would then move back to a position on the positive side lower than that before the sin. This volatility makes Iman similar to a wave, as it keeps changing and is never constant. All the states described above can be attained within a day, highlighting the peaks and troughs of the Iman wave.

Therefore, it is essential to remember that Iman is not an all-or-none phenomenon, but it increases and decreases. Identifying that we are always at risk of losing our Iman or at least reducing it should keep us on our toes. We should always strive to have a sufficiently high ground-state, our base-level of Iman. This level should be our default state, the one we find ourselves in most of the time. This way, we can give ourselves some level of protection. Most importantly, we should understand and remember that the hearts belong to Allah. We should then seek His aid as we strive to be better. Furthermore, we should avoid judging and looking down on others just because we feel that we are better than them in good deeds or Iman. An attribute of a good believer is that he never assumes he's better than others just because of his good deeds. May Almighty Allah increase us all in faith, and may we die in a state where He's most pleased with us.