Have you ever experienced the death of a close relative, mother, father or a brother? Ever lost a contract to a cheaper or less capable contractor? How do you feel when, after several burnings of midnight candles- reading, memorizing, and depriving your eyesight of her right, you still can’t escape the pool of failure? It hurts really, isn’t it? Where is Allah then?
Moreso, where is Allah when it doesn’t hurt? Can you tell? Actually, I would rather ask you: Where do you put Allah when it hurts? And deeper still: Where do you put Allah when it doesn’t hurt?
When it doesn’t hurt, when everything goes fine, when all is well with you, when everything is a nail…Maa Sha Allah, where do you put Allah? Do you worship him?
The reason of existence is often forgotten when everything goes fine. Very minimal or no thanks is forwarded to the creator when it doesn’t hurt. Look at you, When it doesn’t hurt, you are too busy to stand in Solah. And when you do, you do so with laziness. Even when you do so in laziness, your mind isn’t there! All you want is happiness but you never make your lord happy.
When it doesn’t hurt, do you offer the voluntary prayers (nawaafil) or you think they are for the people in problems and grieves? How often you do wake up late in the midnight to read but not to stand in the presence of your lord! You are so comfortable that you feel there’s no need to Qiyaamu layl! Oh Akhi, even the best of mankind (Peace be upon him) had his foot swollen due to his constant standing in prayers. “Why do you have to go to this extent?” he was asked. He replied:
“Shouldn’t I be a thankful Servant?”
When it doesn’t hurt, you hardly raise your hand to Allah in prayer, perhaps you think only the needy should raise hands in prayers! Even in your prostrations, where you are closest to Allah, you refuse to utilize these golden avenues … and when it hurts, you ask: “Where is Allah?”!
When it doesn’t hurt, how do you present yourself to Allah? In an attire you wouldn’t want to wear to class or to a less formal meeting?
“O children of Aadam, take your adornments at every masjid (Q7v31)”
is the word of the Quran. You know what it means? Beautify yourself when attending the mosques or at every time of prayer.
Brother, when it doesn’t hurt, do you answer Allah’s calls? Your sincere answer will reveal, at great length, where Allah is when it doesn’t hurt and will shed a beam of luminescent white lights to the question: Where is Allah when it hurts!
To be continued next week insha Allah.
This cloned title of one of Abu Mazaadatil Khayr’s works triggered my long relenting memory and pen when seen on the floor of sales today. It challenged my memory of words combination and questioned my knowledge of Islam: Really, Where Do you put Allah when it doesn’t hurt?
