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Choosing Sides
By Abdul-Lateef Abdullah
05/11/2001
Surfing the Internet and reading up on all the events occurring in the world today can be dizzying. Sometimes we have to step back and reflect on what all the craziness is really about and try to see the forest from the trees. When I listen to wise men in Islam discuss world events, I am often surprised, yet relieved, at how easily they can make sense of even the most complex situations.
Alhamdulillah (Thank the Lord) that Allah has allowed men of such wisdom and insight to still exist in our time, albeit their numbers are dwindling and they are often difficult to come by. Nevertheless, such people continue to help thousands of everyday Muslims make sense out of Allah's plan for creation, even when it appears that things are completely topsy-turvy.
As I, on the other hand, am not a man of great knowledge or wisdom, I must often rely on that which I learn from such teachers. According to the Qur'an, everything we do in life is ultimately for one of two causes, that which is for Allah or that which is for
Shaytan (the devil). We can't serve both. Despite what some may say, there are no half-truths in reality. We must choose a side, which is essentially what this life is all about.
For example, in our current age, which many scholars believe to be the beginning of the end of time, public opinion on a popular world event might lead us to conclude that we must choose between A and B. The believer, however, should look a little more closely at the choices and keep in mind that most of the world - Muslim or not - does not follow Divine Law, and thus is not choosing sides based on the correct criteria. Even for many Muslims, other "stuff" gets in the way and motives for decision-making become clouded by personal desires, politics, greed, hatred, fear, etc. Simply because we are told to choose between A or B, we cannot allow ourselves to be fooled. This is an age where everything is upside down. The truth may ultimately not lie in A or B but in Z! That is why we must always go back to the sources of true knowledge and more importantly, wisdom, to ensure that we keep life as simple as it can be.
If we take this question of whose side are we on and apply it to our lives everyday, we can begin to see who it is we really work for and with what kind of deeds are filling up our personal accounts. Let's give it a try…
When we wake up in the morning and our first thought of the day is to be thankful for being brought back to life…that is for
Allah.
When we wake up in the morning and our first thought of the day is about how much money we're going to make that day…that is for
Shaytan.
When we drive to work to earn our livelihood from a halal (lawful) source…that is for
Allah.
When we set out to exploit others and acquire wealth from haram (forbidden) sources….that is for
Shaytan.
When we stand up to pray with the sole intention of pleasing our Lord…that is for
Allah.
When we pray so that others can see us and comment on how pious we are…that is for
Shaytan.
When we pass a fellow Muslim and offer a smile and words of peace…that is for
Allah.
When we talk badly about a fellow Muslim, tell lies about him and ignore him when in his company…that is for
Shaytan.
When we restrain ourselves and keep silent when provoked into an argument or shouting match…that is for
Allah.
When we engage in useless arguments simply to release our anger, be right, or make someone else look bad…that is for
Shaytan.
When we tactfully attempt to correct the errors of our brothers' and sisters' ways…that is for
Allah.
When we ignore the sins of our fellow brothers and sisters and do not, at the very least, feel remorse for them…that is for
Shaytan.
When we think about how close death is to us and that it can come at any time…that is for
Allah.
When we forget about death and live and plan our lives as if we are immortal…that is for
Shaytan.
When we sit down to a meal and partake of halal food…that is for Allah.
When we indulge ourselves with food that is haram…that is for Shaytan.
When we offer benedictions and blessings on Allah's Messenger (SAW)…that is for
Allah.
When we do not display our love, respect and reverence for Rasulullah (SAW)…that is for
Shaytan.
When we act with compassion and respect toward people with a sincere desire to bring them closer to Allah…that is for
Allah.
When we act callously out of hatred for and ignorance about people…that is for
Shaytan.
When we act out of a genuine desire and concern for justice…that is for Allah.
When we act out of concern for our own status and wealth…that is for Shaytan.
When we hate evil for Allah's sake…that is for Allah.
When we hate because we hate…that is for Shaytan.
When we uphold the Truth without compromise no matter where it comes from…that is for
Allah.
When we uphold bloodlines, political affiliations, nationalities or ethnic group affiliations in spite of the truth…that is for
Shaytan.
When we confront evil with our lives and property in full obedience to Him and for His sake…that is for
Allah.
When we attack others to acquire land or power in blind disregard for Divine Law…that is for
Shaytan.
When we study, learn, and acquire knowledge to improve our conduct, help others do the same, and improve the world…that is for
Allah.
When we study and learn to make a lot of money, gain prestige and see our names in print…that is for
Shaytan.
When we dress modestly in line with Divine Law and with the intention of obeying and pleasing Allah…that is for
Allah.
When we dress "like a Muslim" to be seen as pious….that is for Shaytan.
When we give to help those in need and purify our incomes…that is for Allah.
When we give to be known as generous among our peers …that is for Shaytan.
When we accept whatever comes to us knowing that it is from Him, and work toward improving our lot with patience, effort, steadfastness and prayer…that is for
Allah.
When all we do is complain about what happens to us…that is for Shaytan.
When we turn to Allah to help us when we are in need…. that is for Allah.
When we seek aid from everybody but Allah, thinking that others are in control of life events…that is for
Shaytan.
When we go out of our way to greet and speak with non-Muslims for the purpose of building bridges, giving da'wa (invitation) and modeling Islam…that is for
Allah.
When we assume all non-Muslims are kafirs (non-believers) and ignore them…that is for
Shaytan.
When we spend time nurturing our children to develop their Islamic personality…that is for
Allah.
When we ignore the education and character development of our children…that is for
Shaytan.
When we love our children by disciplining and correcting them when they are wrong…that is for
Allah.
When we let our kids do whatever they want…that is for Shaytan.
When we get involved in the affairs and well being of our communities…that is for
Allah.
When we ignore the needs of our neighbors…that is for Shaytan.
When we acknowledge and act on our responsibilities to Allah, ourselves, our families and our communities…that is for
Allah.
When all we think about is what is due to us and ignore our responsibilities…that is for
Shaytan.
When we are disciplined and obedient in our worship and actions…that is for Allah.
When we do things when and how we want without any respect for Divine Law…that is for
Shaytan.
When we are humble in our learning and respectful to our teachers…that is for
Allah.
When we think we know it all and question everything from everyone…that is for
Shaytan.
When we apply the knowledge we have…that is for Allah.
When we hoard what we have learned and watch our younger generations fall farther and farther into error…that is for
Shaytan.
Finally, when we act on all matters within the bounds of the Divine Law, regardless of the humility and costs required…that is for
Allah.
When we use Islam to justify actions that are outside of the Divine Law…that is for
Shaytan.
As we can see, the world is not as complex as Shaytan wants us to believe it is. The accounts of our actions, which will all be settled on the Day of Judgment, are filling up all the time. The question is what are we filling them with? Many scholars are saying that the current period we are living in - with all its evils - is a field day for the
shaytans. They are laughing and getting fatter and fatter with the feeding on Muslim souls that they are engaging in. The only thing that can slim them back down from the gluttony they have reveled in as a result is Islam and the application of truth. Thus, as Muslims we have to think about the judgment that will be meted out to us on the Last Day, and whom we are ultimately working for.
Islam, by the grace of Allah, is quite straightforward and simple. The place where many of us stumble in our practice of the
deen (faith) is in accepting and applying it as a whole. To use a popular western term, Islam is "holistic." In fact, it is the most holistic, perfect system of life ever known to man. But it only works when it is applied as a whole - thus the term "whole-istic." The Western mode of compartmentalizing everything in life - turning life into a buffet of choices and options - has got to be rejected. We must accept Islam in totality and work our hardest at correcting those areas that we have difficulty in bringing in line with Allah's will. We all have them.
Some have difficulty in praying five times a day. Some have trouble controlling their anger. Some have difficulty in family relations and solving problems within the home. Every one of us and each community have at least one area of the
deen that is a trouble spot. But there is no reason to worry. Islam contains all the answers. We just have to strive to find them, and then work our hardest to apply the appropriate remedy and pull ourselves into line with Allah's will. Then, everything we do will be for Allah and Shaytan will have to search high and low for Muslims to feed on.
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