Nafsiya Reflections: The Mold Within

We have all felt the impact of the genocide being committed on our steadfast brothers and sisters in Gaza and the change they have had on our beliefs, our Emaan. The lessons they have taught us is that in this dispensable, ever-changing Dunya, nothing lasts forever. The steadfastness, the resilience, the beauty in their patience has impacted even the most astray of us. They have taught us to look to the Akhirah, the Hereafter in order to remember this is only a pit stop to our Akhirah to our everlasting life. A life that awaits us, at any moment.

They have taught us true Emaan when witnessing the loss of their children, as they call out to Allah (swt), holding them, “Ya Allah, are you pleased ya Allah?” Truly wanting to gain Allah’s pleasure. They have taught us true Emaan when one shared a video tutorial of himself tying a rock around his stomach so as to control one’s hunger, just as was mentioned in the hadith of Rasool Allah.

عَنْ أَبِي طَلْحَةَ قَالَ شَكَوْنَا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ «الْجُوعَ وَرَفَعْنَا عَنْ بُطُونِنَا عَنْ حَجَرٍ حَجَرٍ فَرَفَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنْ حَجَرَيْنِ»

Abu Talhah reported: We complained about hunger to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and we lifted our garments to reveal stones tied to our stomachs, so the Messenger of Allah lifted his garment to reveal two stones.

This is the Emaan of our brothers and sisters in Gaza, following the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah. Being true manifestations of Islam in their reactions. Subhan Allah.

Today, we go through Ramadan, remembering them, making Duaa for them during our day, or breaking our fasts at the table during futoor. Their example should be our motivation to push ourselves to be better Muslims, to take advantage of this Ramadan, especially the last ten days. Ramadan... when the gates of Hell are closed, and the gates of Jannah are open, when Allah (swt) chooses a few every night to forgive. It is the opportunity to change what is within us, to purify our intentions and hearts, to help bring change to the state of our ummah. To work to establish the Khilafah (Caliphate) on the method of prophethood, that will raise the word of Allah (swt) once again and help protect our brothers and sisters all over the world, especially Gaza; to be able to help them as much as we possibly can, we must be closer to Allah swt, in following our Prophet’s (saw) Sunnah. For example, pray Taraweeh, to recite the Quran, to go through our daily duties with the intention to gain the pleasure of Allah (swt), enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, being conscious of our time, of our actions and beliefs, as well as to have Ridaa in whatever is out of our control, to let go of the little things.

Sometimes it is the little things that break us. That pushes us away from Allah (swt). It is the little pockets of time we waste on our phones, the sly comments we give our parents, it is the little thoughts, beliefs, that creep through our minds, telling us we are incapable of change. Beliefs that we are “bad” people, that there is no hope for us. If we think that within ourselves, that no matter what we say or do we will never change, that we are incapable of change, then how does that reflect on our Ummah?! How will anyone ever sacrifice for this Ummah with such toxic beliefs, how can anyone ever unshackle this Ummah from the prisons of colonialism and occupation?! If we as an Ummah change this within ourselves, remembering who we are, gaining the pleasure of Allah (swt), then we will be unstoppable! Just as we were! For after all, that is their fear.

We may feel moments of powerlessness, feel shaken.

[أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ الْبَأْسَاءُ وَالضَّرَّاءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ]

Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is the help of Allah?" Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near. [Surah Al-Baqara: Aya 214]

We must persevere and be stubborn in breaking our negative beliefs, our bad habits; backbiting, getting angry, frustrated, disorganized, our days controlling us instead of us controlling our days. To work deliberately to raise the word of Allah (swt). For if we do not take control of our lives, our minds, Dunya surely will, and it will lead us astray. Then, we have lost both this Dunya when we die and the akhirah when we will truly live. This Ummah will remain to suffer. We must be that change!

We must break the mold we have created within ourselves, to free ourselves, and free this Ummah once and for all.

[وَلَمَّا رَأَى الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الْأَحْزَابَ قَالُوا هَٰذَا مَا وَعَدَنَا اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَصَدَقَ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ ۚ وَمَا زَادَهُمْ إِلَّا إِيمَانًا وَتَسْلِيمًا]

And when the believers saw the companies, they said, "This is what Allah and His Messenger had promised us, and Allah and His Messenger spoke the truth." And it increased them only in faith and acceptance. [Surah Al-Ahzab: Aya 22]

May Allah (swt) bring us closer to HIM, and keep us steadfast on HIS path, always. Ameen ya Allah!

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