The water supply disruption recently should have taught
us a profound lesson in preparations and provisions.
More importantly, the difference between
“knowing” and “believing”
When we learnt about a water shortage that could last 7
days, we felt worried for ourselves and our family. It was
"knowledge" that drove us into action - We dug up our old water
containers, stocked up our backup supplies and purchased more. We warned our
friends and family of the imminent difficulties that lay ahead, and we helped
each other to prepare.
The consequences were very real, and it just knowing about
the disruption drove us into action: the power of belief.
If these were the kind of preparations we made for a 7-day
disruption, what effect should it have on our lives from our belief in the Last
Day?
The Day lasting 50,000 years (70:4), when we have no water
to drink except from the Hawd (pond) of our Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi
wasallam), when the sun is so close above us that some will be sweating up to
their ears, when every single one of our deeds - no matter how big or small -
shall be presented to us (99:7-8)? When we will undergo the one final
evaluation that will determine our destiny forevermore (3:185)? When people
will be blaming each other, to the extent that they will be fleeing from their
own families (80:34-36)? When the criminals would even offer to ransom off
their own children to save themselves (70:11)?
How much provisions have we prepared ourselves for this
heavy Day? Do we put the effort to the quality of our solah (prayers), knowing
that it is the very first deed that will be judged? Do we realize the amazing
rewards Allah has promised us for praying on time, in jamaah, in khusyoo - thus
we put super extra effort to ensure we have sufficient “backup supply” to aid
us?
Do we actively seek His Pleasure, knowing that we can only
enter Paradise by His Mercy and Pleasure of us?
Do we put in the effort to be of the exclusive 7 groups of
people who will receive Allah's shade from the burning sun? Do we put in the
effort to follow the sunnah of the Prophet, so we can be identified as his
followers, and be granted permission to drink from his pond? Do we improve our
iman and taqwa, knowing that this is the only way we will have sufficient Light
to cross a bridge that is thinner than hair and sharper than a razor?
Do we realize that, unlike water disruption, we don't know
WHEN this time will come, and thus we find no excuse to delay our repentance
(tawbah) and turn to Allah?
Do we constantly remind each other of the inevitability of
this Destination, and help each other towards it, just as we do during water
supply disruption?
Or do we have the attitude of a smoker: one who knows of the
hazards of smoking cigarettes, but doesn’t drive one into action and just
ignores the warnings? And only takes heed when the doctor detects something?
Like the one who, only after departing this world and seeing
the Reality, cries out to Allah and begs to be returned for a second chance
(32:12)?
News of water supply disruption was knowledge that drove us
into believers – belief that was reflected in our hearts (fear), our words (to
warn others), and our actions (to prepare) - and this is the essence of iman
(belief/faith).
So where do we stand with respect to our iman in the Last
Day?
Like the smoker, or the believer?
إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَذِكْرَىٰ لِمَنْ كَانَ لَهُ قَلْبٌ أَوْ أَلْقَى
السَّمْعَ وَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ ﴿٣٧﴾
“Indeed herein is a reminder for whoever has a heart or who
listens while he is present [in mind].” (Qaf 50:37)
May Allah make us amongst those who heed His warnings,
amongst those who constantly prepare ourselves towards this Day, and to make us
amongst those who assist each other towards it.
Let the short and concise surah al-‘Asr be a reminder to us:
وَالْعَصْرِ ﴿١﴾ إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ
لَفِي خُسْرٍ ﴿٢﴾ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا
الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ ﴿٣﴾
“(I Swear) By the Time -
Indeed, mankind is in a constant state of loss
Except those who have iman, work righteous deeds,
And eagerly advise each other towards the TRUTH,
And eagerly advise each other towards patience.”
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