Tasawwuf, Sufism & Tariqah

The Spirituality of Islam

 


IKHLAS (Sincerity) Haji Mokhtar Stork

If you look up the Qur'an, you will find that every Chapter or Surah is named after an animal, insect, community etc but never will you find one named in honour of God. One wonders why this is so? Instead you will find just one Chapter titled Surah Ikhlas consisting of four very short lines concerning God. The reason for this is probably due to God’s sincerity towards His creation concerning belief in Him, and this is one of the reasons why worshipping Him is not an imposition upon mankind but rather a choice. This is reflected in the Qur’anic verse, "Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error: whoever reject evil and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks, and God hears and knows all things." [Surah Baqarah 2:256]

God’s sincerity is so great that it contains no boundaries. Everyone regardless of his religious beliefs or rejection of Him continues to enjoy of His Bounty. Even Lucifer (Iblis) continues to enjoy of God's sincerity and generosity over his rejection of Adam. Instead of seeking God's forgiveness Lucifer remained unrepentant and adamant, seeking one evil favour after another from God and he was granted it with displeasure. Such is God’s greatness.

God’s sincerity is so great that it requires no redemption of sin or salvation, other than to turn to Him in sincerity for forgiveness. This is the Islamic stand taken in the Qur'an, and the reason for this is simple, everything moves in accordance with God's Divine Plan. It was He who caused Adam to forget and to sin, so that mankind may come into existence, thus it is also in Him to be Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. The same rule is also applicable to Lucifer. Even though God knew the outcome of his (Lucifer) nature and would have forgiven him (as it too was preordained), however, the act of asking for forgiveness was not forthcoming, thus causing that which was preordained to become incomplete, because though these events were part of God’s Divine Plan, it still requires a degree of acknowledgement over disobedience to become complete. Evidence of this can be found in Ahadith (the Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.). It is recorded that when Moses went up to the mountain to communicate with God, Lucifer (Iblis) approached him, seeking his intercession with God. The response from God was that all Lucifer had to do was to go to the grave of Adam and make prostration. On being told this, Lucifer replied, "What! Adam! No never!" and off he went in anger. [Bukhari]. From Ahadith we also know that God has allotted to mankind a measure of sins, which indicates that sinning takes on two forms i.e. pre-ordained sins of which the individual is forgiven by God and sins that are premeditated by mankind and thus responsible and accountable for.

The sincerity of God is such that He does not impose His will upon mankind but rather offers it as a choice, and this is one of the reasons why the Qur’an often begins with the following address: "O you who believe". For submission to God to become a reality, it has to be undertaken willingly with sincerity. As such, IKHLAS becomes the key word and factor for success in this world and in the hereafter.

If you examine the reality of existence, your very existence belongs to Him. He owns you lock stock and barrel. Many do not realise this but its expression can be found in our daily prayer when we declare, "Verily my prayer, my deeds, my life and my death, are for the Lord of creation". [Surah An’am 6:162]. This is our expression of sincerity towards God which we hardly maintain, and it is the cause for countless suffering in the form of punishment (azab).

If I were to ask you, "Who created you?" The answer will be "God". And if I say to you, "Why do you worry so much over that which does not belong to you and which has been promised to be looked after by God," you will most probably consider me mad or an irresponsible person, but look up the Qur'an, notably the events surrounding Mary, the mother of Jesus and you will note the following: "Every time that he (Zakariyah) entered her chamber to see her, he found her with sustenance. He said, 'O Mary! Whence comes this to you?' She replied, 'From God, for God provides sustenance to whom He pleases without measure'." However, we later come across an incident where this degree of faith and trust in God had weakened within her, thus causing her to seek dates from a date-palm tree. [Surah Maryam 19:22-26]

God continues to look after us all. This He has promised to undertake to the fullest as long as we sincerely believe in Him and obey His commands. The Qur’an states, "When My servants ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, I am indeed close: I listen to the prayer of every supplicant when he calls on Me. Let them also with a will listen to My call, and believe in Me, that they may walk in the right way." [Surah Baqarah 2:186]. Success as such depends to a great extent on your sincerity towards God and your willingness to submit to His commands.

If you are God’s property, would it not be appropriate for you to remove your own desires and replace them with God’s? In truth, you are a vessel created by Him and as such should be filled with what He desires of you and not what you want for yourself. And if you do this, then you must and will be not only nourished by God but also protected by Him. Why do you not say when leaving your house, "O God, I place this house of yours which you have bestowed upon me in your safekeeping because in truth everything belongs to you." Why do you not act in this manner concerning all aspects of your life? After all, your very existence depends on his power (qudrat). Now this in no way prevents you from acting responsibly, for the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) has called upon us to "tie your camel and then place your trust in God over its well being". But all the same, it is God who still determines whether your camel or car will still be safe, so why not begin with Him?

If you sincerely examine all that has been said you will note that most of us have lost our vision of existence. We have forgotten the reason why we were created? We have forgotten our mission in life. Therefore, it is essential for us to return to the path of sincerity, because only a heart that is filled with faith and servitude can truly prosper in security without fear. THE END

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The Spiritual Significance Of Salat (Prayer)

Most Muslims perform their prayers or salat as a routine. Not many really know the meaning and significance of prayer other than that it is obligatory upon Muslims to perform. As a result of this attitude many merely go through the motions of prayer without really enjoying it or gaining anything from it.

The Qur'an does not go into details concerning the performance of Ablution and Prayer. Therefore it is essential for us to look up the Sayings of the Prophet (s.a.w.) so that we may be rightly guided. There are two forms of 'purification', one major and the other minor. The major purification deals with a complete bath to purify one's self usually after sex or a wet dream, while the minor purification or wudhu is taken prior to prayer.  Allah, the Exalted has revealed in Surah Ma'idah verse 6 the following: "…. If you are in a state of impurity bathe your whole body….". Without it one cannot offer prayer, read the Qur'an or even touch a page of the Qur'an with a pencil, a position adopted by the first scholars of Islam.

'Ablution' (wudhu), is a necessity for the performance of prayer. Without it the prayer cannot be performed. By doing so we purify ourselves prior to prayer. However, the Qur'anic verse explicitly describes the external process. Allah, the Exalted has revealed: "O you who believe! When you prepare for prayer, wash your faces and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; rub your heads (with water); And wash your feet to the ankles…" - Surah Ma'idah verse 6. This is the obligatory position concerning the performance of ablution according to the Qur'an. Then there is the Sunnah of the Prophet or the Practise of the Prophet s.a.w., which is most desirable. It deals with the rinsing the mouth, cleaning out the nose with water, the wiping of the ears etc.

There is one aspect that is usually neglected or ignored as trifle. It deals with the 'hair, beard, fingernails, toenails' etc. These are living entities and must be wetted properly during ablution. If one keep a beard, one must make sure that when one washes one's face during ablution, to see to it that water reaches down to the roots of the hair (the skin). This also applicable to the hair, therefore, if one wears hair oil or grease there is the possibility that ablution will not be complete, thus causing one's prayer to be null and void. In the case of women, they are known to wear cutex (fingernail polish). This coating prevents ablution from reaching the fingernails, thus also making ablution incomplete. However natural dyes and stains are permitted because these do not prevent the penetration of water during ablution as well as the major purification bath.

According to the Shari'ah you are instructed on how to take ablution and how to perform your prayer. You are not taken to task over your motives and intentions, because it is only for Allah to judge. He calls upon us to be mindful of our prayer, and only judges us concerning it on the Day of Judgement.

Allah has revealed in the Qur'an the command, 'establish prayer'. He has not asked us whether we would like to prayer or not, but instead has ordered us to establish prayer. This is so because man likes to be free from to do as he pleases but this is not possible because man was created to serve Allah. So Allah has established many rules so that man may be protected from self-destruction.

The whole purpose and objective of prayer is to draw closer to Allah. It is a gift from Allah prepared for his servants but many do not value it. It is exclusively for Allah only, so don't become busy in worldly matters so as to become lazy or to forget your prayer. Allah, the Exalted has promised us His Bounty. In return He asks that we should establish prayer. He has even made it easy for us to undertake so that we may not lose our relationship with Him. He has spread out the prayer to cover the whole day. He has not tightened it or made it difficult for us to undertake. Instead, He has established periods of time to grant us the opportunity to do so. So who can be more just and democratic than Him?

The rest of the day He has granted to us to do whatever we like, and if a person fails in this duty then it represents a corruption on his part because that part of time belongs to Allah. It has been set aside for Him. And in return for just a small fraction of day's time He has guaranteed us success in this world and in the Hereafter.

Just ponder and reflect upon this, where one is asked to do so little and in return receives so much. No one is this world is capable of such except Allah Almighty! But yet, many people become busy in that which Allah has assured them off (worldly matters) instead of establishing regular prayer. People fight for worldly possessions, positions of power and wealth but you never see them fighting to establishing prayer or to perform Hajj! Remember, what you eat ends up in the toilet.

One who performs prayer should not think that he is safe because not everyone's prayer is accepted. People make intentions but they do something else. Many people think that because they pray, fast and perform Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mekkah) that they will go to heaven. This is not true because these actions are undertaken for His pleasure, they are not an end in themselves.

Not everyone's heart (qalb) and soul (ruh) is in his prayer. Therefore we have been commanded in the Qur'an to be mindful of our prayer - never to rush, to recite it properly, to place our heart (qalb) and soul (ruh) wholeheartedly in it. There is a Saying of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. who said to this effect that if a person fails to enjoy concentration in prayer, he is like a thief, because he has stolen that (time) which does not belong to him. So not everyone's prayer is accepted. Likewise, not everyone's circumbulation (tawaf) of the Ka'bah is accepted.

It will also be noted that all kinds of people turn up at Allah's Divine House of Worship (Ka'bah). Politicians, all kinds of criminals, honest and sincere people - they all turn up seeking Allah's favours. However, Allah has not promised any that they would be attended to. The decision is His, and this is often referred to in the term "Haji Mabruk" - The Successful Hajj, where a person is forgiven and his Hajj accepted by Allah.

The door to Allah is open but you may not reach His presence because it depends to a great extent on your intention and sincerity. So be mindful of your prayer. Remember Allah so that He may remember you. One should be with the 'Owner of the Prayer' and not the Prayer (Salat). This is significant because the prayer is a gift from Allah, and since it is a gift from Allah people should hasten towards it i.e. the gift (hadiyah) of prayer, not the prayer itself. This means that they turn for prayer to be in the presence of Allah to receive of His blessings. The prayer as such becomes a 'vehicle', you the driver, and the destination Allah.

Outwardly, the 'gift' represents the 'prayer' (salat) but inwardly it is a 'gift' (hadiyah) from Allah. This is the reason why we should hasten to turn up for prayer so that we may come in the presence of Allah to receive His gifts (blessings etc). An example of this gift can be likened to a father who sends his son money for studies but the son waste it. Do you think that he will send him any more money? Do you think he is happy? So just reflect upon Allah who gives you everything and yet you do not observe the prayer properly, or maybe never even does it? Allah does not need your obedience, nor is He harmed by your disobedience. It does not reduce His honour or dignity. He has created us and commanded us to 'establish prayer' and we should do so with sincerity.

One should hasten for prayer because only in prayer does one enters His presence. You come into His presence to receive of His Mercy, Bounty, Blessings etc. This meeting between the Lord and His servant is one full of love and affection. So the prayer (salat) is a 'conversation' (munajat) between you and your Lord. It is an intimate relationship. Have you ever observed two people in love speaking to one another? Do they speak aloud or softly? No, they don't because they do not want anyone to hear them. Yes, the prayer is an intimate conversation between you and your Lord, so engross yourself in your prayer body and soul. The Saint, Rabiah Ad-Dawiyah said, "O Allah, if you are distant, I will call you, but if you are near I will whisper to you."

There are people who pray to Allah that they should not be put to shame in front of others but are not concerned about their shame in the presence of Allah. They worry more about people than they do about Allah. They lead their lives like garbage, doing all sorts of things and then turn to Him asking Him to not put them to shame in front of others. q Haji Mokhtar Stork

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Even Birds Have Tongues
Khawaja Zul Nun Misri went to a gathering of wise men with his disciples. They asked him who was the wisest of men. He replied that he was. They then asked him as to who was the most ignorant, to which he replied that he was. Being confused they asked him to explain this, so he replied, "Because of my faults, of which I know about, I am the wisest of men. But the faults of the people of which I know not, I am the most ignorant of men."

Allah does not grant wisdom to all but he does not deny them speech. Even the birds have tongues but they possess no hearts (spirituality), hence they also possess no knowledge. You can train a bird to utter a name. It will do so without understanding its significance. Whereas a human being is blessed with the capacity to acquire knowledge but he may not be blessed with wisdom.

Luqman of the Qur'an did not seek prophethood. Instead he sought wisdom. You can find many with educational degrees. Some will go into the intricate details of how a termite functions but never be able to recognise the Creator behind that termite. And this is one of the reasons why God (Allah) presents so many parables in the Qur'an for us to ponder upon. Take this example: "O men! Here is a parable set forth! Listen to it! Those on whom besides Allah you call, cannot create (even) a fly, if they all met together for the purpose! And if the fly should snatch away anything from them, they should have no power to release it from the fly. Feeble are those who petition and those whom they petition! (Surah Hajj 22:73). q Haji Mokhtar Stork.  

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Did You Know That The Dog Is Ahead Of Man? 

It is believed that the Dog is the second last animal to turn up at Buddha's feet just before the Pig. It is also said that the Cat overslept and by the time it came before the Buddha it was numbered thirteen. The cause for this was the Rat who had agreed to wake up the cat but purposely did not do so because it wanted to teach the Cat a lesson, as cats always chase rats.

In Hong Kong, Chinese seers refer to the Chinese New Year in 1994 as the Year of the Blind Dog. This is based on a 3,000 year old Chinese astrological system dating back to the Emperor Huang Ti. Apparently the Year of the Blind Dog is not a good year as it is considered to be unreliable. Call it folklore or whatever you like but apparently, like all animals, the dog too seems to find a place in history.

The position of the Dog in Islam is quite different. This is due to revelation from Allah Almighty. Allah says, "Lawful to you are all things good and pure, and whatever you have taught your trained hunting animals (to catch) in the manner directed by Allah: Eat what they catch for you, but pronounce the Name of Allah over it, for Allah is swift in taking account." (Surah Ma'idah 5:4).

From the Traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) we know that a dogs cannot be kept as a pet indoors. However, they can be kept in a separate enclosure (not chained or caged) and trained to guard one's house, or used to track drugs at the airport, or used for hunting purposes. It has been recorded that the Prophet was not able to receive revelation from Allah through the Angel Gabriel as a result of a dog being kept indoors. It is also reported that Abu Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, "When a dog drinks from a vessel, it must be washed seven times, and the first cleansing should be done with earth (mud or clay)." (Mishkat). Ibnu Umar (r.a.) in turn said, "If a dog be dry and not at all wet or perspiring its touch does not make one dirty, as during the time of the Prophet dogs used to enter the mosque and no water was used to clean it (the mosque)." (Mishkat). 

As a whole, the dog does not hold a favourable position as man's best friend when it comes to keeping pets. There seems to be more negative aspects than positive ones when it comes to Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence). However from a spiritual point of view, the dog seems to be way ahead of man in terms of submission and obedience. In this respect, the dog has six advantages over the common man. These are as follows:

  1. Have you ever noticed how loyal a dog is to his master in comparison to man towards his own Master (Allah)? "When trouble touches a man, he cries to Us (in all postures) - lying down on his side, or sitting, or standing. But when We have solved his problem, he passes on his way as if he had never cried to Us for a problem that touched him! Thus do the deeds of transgressors seem fair to their eyes!" (Surah Yunus 10:12). No matter how badly you treat a dog it will never abandon you. Should you throw stones at it, it will retreat some distance and continue to follow you as soon as you move on. Man in turn is like tall grass flying in the wind, possessing hardly any steadfastness or determination to strive in Allah's path. You will find people with you one day and against you the next day but never the dog.
  2. Unlike man, the dog seeks nothing in return. Even if you throw it bones devoid of flesh from your dinning plate, it will accept it with pleasure. 
  3. The dog is ever grateful to his master in comparison to man. Man according to the Qur'an is 'ever ungrateful', always seeking more and more, never satisfied with whatever Allah has bestowed upon him, that is until the earth fills his mouth in the grave. Have you noticed that they tie up the jaws of a dead person, but in the end it still opens up to be filled with earth! People remain friends so long as there is something to be gained by it but the dog remains there for nothing!
  4. A dog will spend the whole night in vigilance looking after his master's house and property without any reward, while man who has been encouraged by Allah in the Qur'an to spend just a small portion of the night in prayer (Tahjud Prayer) so that he might be rewarded handsomely does not even consider it worthwhile.
  5. You never find a dog complaining. We know it can't, but do not forget that all animals have rights and these will be addressed on the Day of Judgement. Man is forever complaining. He is never content or grateful over whatever Allah has deemed to be his lot in life.
  6. The dog like all other animals will not be question on the Day of Judgement. Instead it will enjoy free passage into paradise, while man is held up for investigation.

If you view these facts, they clearly indicate that the dog is way ahead of man in points. And yet the dog is generally held in low esteem by Muslims. q Haji Mokhtar Stork

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Advice from Imam Ghazali

Imam Ghazali’s disciple had asked him to establish some simple guidelines that he (the student) could follow so that he would be safe in the Hereafter. The following briefly explains the situation:

 
  1. An indication or sign of Allah’s withdrawal from a worshipper is when the worshipper busies himself in that which does not concern Him. If an hour of a man’s life slips by other than which he was created in the way of worship, then it is proper that his affliction be extended. Imam Ghazali said that whoever passes that age of 40 without his virtue overpowering his vice let him get ready for Hell-Fire.
What this means is that one should not waste one’s time over useless thing – matters that have no reward with Allah. We were created alongside the jinn to serve Him. Allah says: “I have only created jinn and humankind that they may serve Me”. [Surah Dhariyat 51:56]. Therefore, if we deviate from this path, indulging in that which does not serve Allah’s cause, then it is only proper that our afflictions are extended. This is where a person is besieged with one problem after another, one calamity after another etc. And if by the age of forty there is no change in attitude, then one is bound to be domed to Hell-Fire.
 
Even when speaking, one should sum up things in a few meaningful words or keep silent. One should be brief and to the point truthfully or remain silent. Idle gossip and useless talk serve no purpose. This is the general advice of the Prophet (s.a.w.). One should be conscious of the fact that the angels are recording every word we say.
 
The age of forty has been mentioned probably due to the fact that the Prophet (s.a.w.) has said that the average age of a Muslim is between sixty to seventy years old. Some say that it is a ‘bonus’ if you live longer, while others say, that you are living on ‘borrowed time’. However, the Prophet (s.a.w.) did make mention that as the Day of Judgement draws near, the age of a person will shorten. Children will have grey hair. One can assume that this age decline is due to stress etc.
 
Don’t think that it is good to live long, because when you get to that point in time, you will be weak and sick. Your behaviour will revert to that of a child. Your children will say to you: “Don’t do this…”
 
  1. Faith (Iman) is a verbal declaration, consent by the heart, followed by actions in accordance with the Five Pillars of Islam. And the evidence of peace is achieved, even though the worshipper attains paradise by the bounty and grace of Allah Almighty. Nevertheless, this is the result of being inclined through obedience to Him, and the worshipping of Him, since the mercy of Allah is near to those who do good.
But if it is said that one gets to Heaven as a result of faith (Iman), then we may ask: “When will he get there? How many difficulties will he have to go through and overcome before he arrives there? And the first of these is that of faith itself! And will he be safe from the denial of faith? And when he arrives will he be unsuccessful or successful?” Hasan al-Basri (r.a.) said: “Allah the Exalted will say to His worshippers on the Day of Resurrection, ‘O My worshippers, enter the Garden by My Mercy and divide between you according to your deeds’.”
 
For true faith in Allah to take hold within one’s heart it has to be expressed through sincere honest actions. If one is depending on mere faith without righteous deeds (amal), then one’s faith lacks perfection. Then the question of being successful or not becomes a serious one. Many pray but not with their hearts, and Allah knows whether you do so or not. Death will come and you cannot avoid it.
 
It is related that a man from the tribe of Israel worshipped God Almighty for seventy years, thus God desired to show him his reward, so He sent an angel to inform him that in spite of his worship, entering the Garden was not befitting for him. When he heard this, he replied, “We are created for worship and it is incumbent on us to worship Him.” When the angel went back he said, “O my God, You know best what was said.”  God Almighty replied, “Since he did not turn away from worshipping Us, We will not turn away from Him. O My angels, We have forgiven Him.”
 
There is difference between Iman (true faith) and just believing. We all begin by believing by accepting Islam, but we must transcend from it to Iman. A Muslim, a Mo’min, and a Mohsin, are all Muslims, but a Muslim has to work towards becoming a Mo’min (a true Believer) and Mohsin (one who is conscience of Allah’s presence). These are three stages of development of a Muslim, who natures have been explicitly described in the Qur’an.
 
Often we fool ourselves when we say, “Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful”. This exists for only those who have Iman. Such is not available without any effort. One cannot simply say that Allah ‘understand, He is Merciful, Forgiving etc’ which making any effort to improve. This is a deception. It is cheating one’s self. It’s an excuse! So do what you must do and do so depending on His Mercy with Iman.
 
  1. Imam Ghazali says: “Call yourself to account before you are taken to account. And weigh up your deeds before they are weighed up for you.”[Qur’an]. Sayyidna Ali (r.a.) said that ‘whoever wished to achieve his goal without effort, he is a wishful thinker. And whoso believes he will reach his goal by the expanding of efforts is presumptuous’. Al-Hasan (r.a.) said, “Seeking the Garden without action is a sin,” and he said, “An indication of the true state of affairs is to give up paying attention to actions – not to give up actions.” The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said, “The strict man is one who passes judgement on himself and works for what is after death. And the fool is one who pursues vain pleasures and counts on Allah to realise his wishes.”
Amal (deeds) is the key here. One should ask, “How is my Amal?” Do not die wasting your time in useless matters. One needs to live and to earn an income, do so in accordance with Allah’s commands. On the Day of Judgement, Allah will ask you to show Him what good have you done. He will say: “Do you think that My angels write down whatever they like? Here are the books, your records – are these not your own actions?” And if you deny them, your hands, feet etc will bear witness against you [Qur’an]. Therefore, if you want to do something, ask yourself whether Allah likes it or not. If He does not, then do not do it.
 
  1. Imam Ghazali said that it is narrated that Hasan al-Basri (r.a.) was given a cup of cold water. As he took he fainted and the cup of water fell from his hand. When he recovered, they asked him what had happened. He replied, “I recalled the longing of the people of Hell, when they said to the people of the Garden, ‘pour down water upon us and whatever Allah has bestowed upon you.” This situation has been mentioned in Surah A’raf.
The Qur’an is explicitly clear that whatever is in Hell is prohibited to the people of the Garden, and whatever is in the Garden is prohibited to the people of Hell. Maulana Syed Affifuddin al-Gylani made mention of a man in Baghdad who went to the butcher’s to buy some meat. He stroked the carcass of a sheep, and after much debate did not purchase any meat. This annoyed the butcher, who said in silence that he would not forgive the man. When they both died, the butcher who was in hell said to the man who was in heaven, “I need to touch you just as you touched the meat I sold.” So he touched the man on the neck. The man woke up from his dream shouting in pain, and when he looked at his neck he found a black spot where the butcher had placed his finger. He immediately when to look for the butcher to make payment over what he had done.
 
Maulana Syed Affifuddin al-Gylani said that Abu Lahab, the uncle of the Prophet (s.a.w.) who is condemned to Hell in Surah Masad (the 111 Chapter of the Qur’an), enjoys two fingers of water on Mondays because on that day, when good news was brought to him concerning the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) by his slave, he released her as a mark of joy, saying, “You are free. You are no longer a slave.” The question that arises here is: “Do you want to be content with two fingers of water on just one day in a week, over a deed like that, or do you want to be comfortable always?
 
  1. Imam Ghazali said to his murid: “O disciple! Live as long as you want, but you must die. Love whatever you want, but you will become separated from it. Do what you want and you will be repaid for it.
O disciple! Knowledge without action is madness, and action without knowledge is useless. Know that knowledge that does not remove you from sin today, and does not convert you to obedience, will not remove you tomorrow from Hell-Fire!
 
O disciple! Get serious in respect of the spirit. Subdue it in respect of the ego, and humble it in respect of the body, for your destination is the grave, and the people of the grave expect to meet you at any moment. Beware lest you meet up with them without provision.”
 
Just reflect upon this: “To possess life without knowledge – to invest in what? To be proud of what?” You will only realise the truth of this when you know Allah from within your heart. Without such, you will be led by your self-justification, your freedom of choice, your human rights to lead you along a path that is dictated by your nafs (desire) and what other useless people have to say. Protect your body and soul from that which displeases Allah. Your grave has already been prepared the day you were born. Repent! If only you could hear the people of the graves! Don’t reach your grave empty handed!
 
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) is reported to have said that for the true believers, their time of examination on the Day of Judgement is from Zohor to Asr’, whereas for the rest it is a day, and one day with Allah is a thousand years. In this instance it is a thousand years of suffering. [mokhtar stork]

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