The Disctinction Between "Knowing" and "Believing" - The Essence of Iman (faith)

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.”