Monday 26 August 2013

Distinctions in Deen


Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem



There are those students who have great ambition and high aspirations for worldly success. We find that they will exert themselves in their efforts to secure excellent results in their examinations.


To obtain as many A’s or distinctions, diligence and hard work become the order of the day. They ‘burn the midnight oil’ – for what? For success in this worldly life.


If this is the one-tracked, single-minded effort for worldly success, what of the Muslim’s efforts to secure the success of the Hereafter?


What of the many A’s that a Muslim should make every effort to obtain for success in the Hereafter: The A for Akhlaaq, the A for Aashiq[1] of Allah Ta’ala, the A for “Amal[2]”, the A for “Aabid[3]”, the A for “Aarif[4]”?


Why do these As not feature in the lives of the majority?


So many are very successful in their Matric examinations, but for many there is no A for Akhlaaq, no ‘A’ for Amal and other noble characteristics of the Muslim.


The Muslim’s view of Success is the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala and Nabi (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam). In the examination of this worldly life, it is their pleasure which secures an A+.


Otherwise, a person is as good as obtaining a ‘Z’.


[1] Aashiq : Lover of Allah Ta’ala
[2] Amal : action
[3] Aabid : worshipper
[4] Aarif : One who has recognition of Allah Ta’ala