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The blame is not on the one who does not accept advice. Rather, it is on the one who presents it inappropriately

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Tuesday 7 August 2012

A Worthy Race!

Waking up in the morning with a sound intellect has got to be one of the greatest gifts on earth. Allaah in His inimitable style says; "And whoever is grateful, truly his gratitude is for (the good of) his own self; and whoever is ungrateful (he is ungrateful only) for the loss of his own self). Certainly, my Lord is Rich (Free of all needs), Bountiful. Qur'an 27v40.

In line with this I say, Alhamdulillah for all the blessings He's bestowed upon us.

Today, in this world of ours many people are competing and racing with one another towards amassing material things; wealth, mischief and many confused goals. Allaah says in Qur'an chapter 102 Surat At-Takathur verses 1-2 that "The mutual rivalry (for piling up of worldly things) diverts you, Until you visit the graves (i.e. till you die)"

Many on the wrong path are energetic while many on the right path are lethargic and dazed. Envy is seriously condemned in Islam but here is a hadith recorded by Imam Al-Nawawi in his book called "The Meadows of the Righteous" popularly known by its arabic name "Riyad-us-Saliheen" that on the strength of Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (Radiya Allaahu anhu) the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Envy is permitted only in two cases: A man whom Allaah gives wealth, and he disposes of it rightfully, and a man to whom Allaah gives knowledge which he applies and teaches it," 

The Arabic word used in the hadith is 'Ghibtah' the equivalent of which cannot be found in English language, and the meaning of which is to wish to enjoy things which others have, such as wealth and knowledge, without wishing that they should be deprived of them to your exclusive benefit. Ma shaa Allaah to those who poses Ghibtah as opposed to the corrosive envy. 

It is upon this that I base my write-up. I urge you to kindly follow me and let us take a cool ride through the world of the Glorious Qur'an and have some interesting stop overs that will spur us to a worthy race.

If you are with me, then Bismillah, let's go...

In Qur'an chapter 5 Surah Al-Ma'idah verse 48, Allaah says "Fastabiqul khayrat"  (in good ways, compete with one another). Ibn Katheer in his Tafseer said; (so strive as in a race in good deeds) which are obedience to Allaah, following His Law that abrogated the laws that came before it, and believing in His Book, the Qur'an, which is the Final Book that He revealed.

Next stop over is at Qur'an chapter 57 Surah Al-Hadid verse 21. Allaah says; "Race with one another in hastening towards forgiveness from your Lord (Allaah) and Paradise the width whereof is as the width of the heaven and the earth prepared for those who believe in Allaah and His Messengers."

In the Musnad of Imam Ahamd it was recorded that the Prophet (saw) said: "Paradise is nearer to any of you than the strap on his shoe, and so is the (Hell) Fire."

I'm not yet done, next stop over is at Qur'an chapter 3 Surah Al-Imran verse 133 where Almighty Allaah says; "And march forth in the way (which leads) to forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as the heavens, and the earth, prepared for those who have Taqwa (piety).

The noble Companions (RA) of RasulAllaah (saw) would race with one another in good deeds and not in Allaah's disobedience or ostentatious display. In the two Sahihs (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) it was recorded that once the poor emigrants said to the Messenger of Allaah

"O Allaah's Messenger! The wealthy people will get higher grades and permanent enjoyment. He (saw) asked: "Why is it that", They said; "They pray like us and fast as we do. However, they give in charity, whereas we cannot do that, and they free servants (slaves) whereas we cannot afford it." The Prophet (saw) said: "Shall I tell you of good deed that, if you acted upon, you would catch up with those who have surpassed you and none would overtake you and be better than you, except those who might do the same. Say "Glorious is Allaah," "Allaah is Most Great." And "Praise be to Allaah" thirty three times after every prayer. They (the poor emigrants) later came back and said, "Our wealthy brethren heard what we did and they started doing the same. "Allaah's messenger (saw) said, "This is the favor of Allaah that He gives to whom He wills.

The question is, is this the reality of both the poor and the wealthy of this Ummah? I'm afraid the wealthy has ill-gotten wealth hence Allaah will not accept it from them and the poor is busy thinking of how to become wealthy also and hence, we are suffering from an amnesia of purpose.

The next stop over is at Qur'an chapter 37 Surah As-Saffat where Allaah described in details and in an eloquent manner, the lofty condition of the people of Paradise and crowned it up at the 60th and the 61st verses by saying; "Truly, this is the Supreme success! For the like of this (Jannah) let the workers work. 

And for the purpose of this write-up, our final stop over will be at Qur'an chapter 83 Surah Al-Mutaffifin where Allaah says; "Verily, Al-Abraar (the pious believers of Islamic Monotheism) will be in Delight (Paradise). On thrones, looking (at all things). You will recognize in their faces the brightness of delight. They will be given to drink of pure sealed (wine). The last thereof (that wine) will be the smell of musk, and for this let (all) those strive who want to strive (i.e. hasten earnestly to the obedience of Allaah)- verses 22-26.

Brothers and sisters in Islam! Always think of how to out race one another in good deeds, for in that is the Ultimate goal of Allaah's Forgiveness and Paradise the width of which is as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for those who have Taqwa.

Out race one another by responding faster than anyone in a gathering when it comes to donation in the cause of Allaah.

Out race one another by reading more of Qur'anic pages than any of your peers do but by all means have Ikhlas (sincerity of purpose).

Out race one another by standing up most part of the night in Tahajjud than any of your peers.

Out race one another in good by being foremost in rejecting any illegal transaction that will make you a millionaire instantly. And also, the first to shun any glorified thief in your nation and extend a pitiful gesture rather than a respectful one.

I could go on listing but I guess your intellectual minds will fill in the many gaps of racing towards good.

May Allaah inspire one and all
Abuuaminah@yahoo.com with a twitter handle @ amraabdul

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