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Every
day, as we go through the same old routine of life, getting up,
praying, going to work, dealing with people, going home, sleeping,
etc, how easy is it for us to walk with blinders on our eyes?
I thought of this the other day when I was scolded by someone about
a thing that I see him or her doing all the time. I thought that I
should make them aware of their actions and how it wasn’t in line
with their speech. Allah says in the Qur’an, “Oh you who
believe, why do you say that which you do not do? Most hated is it
in the Sight of Allah that you say that which you do not do!”
People every day talk about practicing what you preach, but how many
of us that say this actually do it? Think about it. Of all the
people that you have ever tried to remind of Allah or of some aspect
of Islam, how much of the advice that you give out do you actually
practice yourself? This reflection made me think about what the
Prophet (SAAWS) has said in a hadith, “Those who believe, let them
speak good or keep silent.” Subhanallah, Allah’s Messenger was
truly as-Sadiq al-Ameen.
Today, people in the West always talk about “keeping it real.”
This psychology is to be real with people. To not front or put up
some kind of false personality of who you really are. Yet, how many
of us are living in a shell? The worst thing about it is that it is
so obvious for people to see right through our fakeness. Children
are the best at this. If you want to know if a person is sincere or
not, just have them interact with children for a period of time. You
will be able to tell if the kids like that person or not if they are
“true” so to speak.
As a Muslim, we are supposed to be “real” all the time. It is
part of our deen to be that way. This blessed month is one where we
have the opportunity to find out who we really are. The Shayateen
are locked up, so any foul behavior or actions on our parts can be
attributed only to our inner state.
This gives us the opportunity to sharpen our states to one that is
pleasing to Allah. It gives us the ability to solidify consistency
in our worship and recitation of the Qur’an. It enables us the
opportunity to correct any of our actions, including speech,
overeating, bad thoughts, places that we go, things we are inclined
to do.
This reminds me of a saying that is attributed to Hasan Al-Basri,
the great illuminary from the third generation after the Prophet (SAAWS).
He was quoted as saying that for twenty years he did not say a word
or retract from saying a word except that he first thought if it was
pleasing to Allah. As the saying continues, he repeats this
statement for using all of the senses. Whenever I am reminded of
that, I reflect on how much certainty in the unseen Hasan (RA) had.
We must take benefit from this blessed month of Ramadan. If we do
not, then we should cease from all the empty promises and speeches.
It is said that Allah will not change a people until they first
change what is in their own selves. I ask Allah to forgive us for
our sins and to purify our hearts from all the disease and filth
that we have accumulated on them. I ask Allah to give us an opening
and victory over our reproachful selves and in this dunya as well as
the hereafter. I ask Allah to guide our families to Islam and to
preserve us. May the Peace, Blessings and Mercy of Allah be upon His
final Messenger Muhammad. All Praise is to Allah, Lord of all the
Worlds.
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