Time: Lost and Never Found

Allah says

By time, Indeed, mankind is in loss, Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. (Surah Al-Asr 103:1-3)

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said   

"Take advantage of five matters before five other matters: your youth, before you become old; and your health, before you fall sick; and your richness, before you become poor; and your free time before you become busy; and your life, before your death." (Al-Haakim)

Abdullah Ibn Mas `ud radhiallahu ‘anhu said,

“I never regret for anything, except when the sun sets and reduced my age, but my deens not increased.”

Ibn Qoyyim gives the parable of the time:

“Numbers of years in are like a tree, while months are like the branches. Days were like twigs and hours like leaves, and breaths like fruit. When his breath he used to worship, the fruit is good. ”

Istiqamah in Islam

Istiqamah is an important Islamic concept. Its significance can be seen where every Muslim is required to recite Surah al-Fatihah at least seventeen times each day seeking Allah's continual guidance to the straight path.

On the authority of Abu ‘Amr, though others call him Abu ‘Amrah Sufyan bin ‘Abdullah, radiyallahu anhu, who said:

I said: "O Messenger of Allah, tell me something about Islam which I could not ask anyone about save you." He answered: "Say: 'I believe in Allah', and then stand firm and steadfast."

[Muslim]

Say ‘I Believe in Allah’

This is not just a single statement, rather it encompasses Islam as a whole. Belief in Allah is not just belief in the heart, but it is also words and actions. The Prophet also shows us that Istiqamah comes only after we start to practice our faith.

What is Istiqamah?

The word Istiqamah (from the root qaama) means to go straight into the right direction, acting rightly, allowing no deviation. It is from the same root that the word mustaqeem is derived (i.e. sirat al-mustaqeem – the straight path). It can be translated as ‘steadfastness’.

Allah says:

So stand you (O Muhammad) firm and straight as you are commanded and those who turn in repentance with you, and transgress not. Verily, He is All-Seer of what you do. [Surat Hud, 12:112]

Ibn Abbas said that no other verse from the entire Qur’an was revealed upon the Messenger that was harder upon him than this verse. It was due to this verse that the Prophet said : 

“Surat Hud and its companions have made my hair white” 

Why was this? Because istiqamah is very difficult to attain. The scholars said that istiqamah is the hardest thing to hold on to.

The Companions on the Meaning of Istiqamah

• "That you do not associate partners with Allah." - Abu Bakr
• "It is that you should be steadfast on the matters that are obligated, and to abandon the prohibitions." - Umar ibn al-Khattab
• "To have ikhlas (sincerity) to Allah only in doing actions."- Uthman ibn Affan
• "It means to fulfill your duties to Allah." - Ibn Abbas

5 conditions to achieve Istiqamah
Ibn al-Qayyim says that good deeds must be done

• for the sake of Allah alone (ikhlas)
• on the basis of knowledge (‘ilm)
• in the same manner that they have been commanded
• in the best way possible
• in conformity to what is lawful

Sources:
Khutbah, Muslims in Japan and Deen a Way of Life

All for love

Embracing Islam only a few years back, I must admit that I am always jealous of other brothers and sisters. This jealousy is not of their success, or wealth or health. But more about how much they know about Islam and how little I have learned. I wish I can recite the Quran and understand, feel and mean each beautiful word as I recite it, I wish I have knowledge of the hadith, I wish I know more about the prophets, I wish... oh, this list is endless. But most importantly, I wish I know all there is to know about our Creator. Again and again He has given me rich experiences reminding that He has not forgotten me, that He, above all, deserves my undying love and devotion.

Alhamdulillah! Struggling with agonising yet edifying experiences afforded me eyes to look past what I thought I needed and to see the world from a different perspective. A muslimah's perspective. Oh! How much I love Him. I am lovestruck. I am a woman in love. I love Him with all my heart that it hurts. But I feel that I don't know much about Him. And not knowing is a burden in my heart. I want to be the woman He wants me to be. I don't want to be rejected. I don't want to be forgotten. 

Then it struck me. Oh! How I have wronged Him! I didn't know. I was blind and ignorant. But I am learning more and more each day. I pray for strengths to attain istiqamah.

My purpose in life has changed.

 

Starting Over

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious and Most Merciful

Alhamdulillah. I finally created this blog to help me refine my thoughts. May Allah guide me so that I will not misuse this platform, intentionally or unintentionally.