ALMISKEENAH

 

 a ramble….

leading to…

submission….

A boney wrinkled hand extended in front of me before I had the chance to sit inside Masjid Nabawi. I was being offered two dry biscuits, the crumbs from them and others already consumed specked the plush red carpet. The empty wrapper was tucked inside an ancient pair of shoes forlornly peeking from under a dark patterned chador also showing signs of antiquity, apart from the bright yellow beads adorning the border. One two three, then two above…one two three, two above, a rhythmic witness to busy fingers some time back in the annals of history.

As eyes met two hearts sung the only words we both knew: La ilaha illa Allah. The refrain uniting all the nations present, echoing high beyond the domes, far above the minarets, carried by Angelic Hosts to unseen realms we all aspire to. One could almost hear the Heavenly doors open to allow this pledge to reach the ‘Arsh. SubhanAllah.

A smile so warm caressed my soul, from a face etched with a thousand unsung stories of a life in a harsh and unforgiving land. Wars still lingered in each wrinkle, along with a myriad of life’s gifts of hardships. The struggles we all try to run far away from had bought this old sister to the Sanctuary of Peace. An inner light shone; illuminating beams of peace. Mubarak dust captured in a dance of rainbows sprinkled all.

*

Her body was permanently bent in Ruku as she searched for a small place in the crowded courtyard just before Salat. Placing her shoes in a plastic bag, she then spread her mat, squashed between a wheel chair and the wall of a rotunda and immediately began countless optional prayers, oblivious to the commotion unraveling around her. Masjid ‘security’ men and women seemed frenzied with a repetitive collection of various words in a few languages attempting to move sisters away from the walkway. A game of stubborn refusal to move and moving the red and white tape line to make space inside the approved area ensued, with the yelling and the pushing reaching strident levels. One ‘security’ brother huffed, his breath filling the crisp air with heated mumbles grabbed a huge roll of the infamous red and white tape and strung it from one pillar to another. The sister engrossed in her prayer was suddenly on the outer…but absorbed in far great events and continued with her worship. This angered the brother even more, who pulled her prayer mat, yelling for her to move, which she finally did when she was finished, but not before she loving and calmly bent even more to kiss all around her.

*

Love. Submission. Acceptance. Gratitude.

Lessons abound all around us.

*

“You should know that the repeated mention of submission (al-islam) is to emphasize its power and to extol its importance. Submission has both an outer and an inner dimension. The outer dimension of submission is acting in accordance with God’s will (al-muwafiqa). The inner dimension is the desisting from struggle against God (al-munazi’a). Thus outer submission is in the dimension of the bodily action, while the inner dimension of ceasing to struggle and reposing in resignation (istislam) is in the dimension of heart-felt attitude. Submission is like the form and tranquil resignation is like the spirit that enlivens the form. Submission is the outer appearance, while resignation is the inner beauty of that appearance. The Muslim is one who submits the whole self to God: its outer appearance is carrying out divine commands while its inner beauty is resignation to divine force. The spiritual station of resignation only achieved after the self struggles with God in coming to grips with divine commands and finally relinquishes control to God without demanding in the slightest appeal or repeal to any commands. Therefore, those who claim for themselves “Islam” as their path of religious obligation (din) must also take on the responsibility of complete resignation.

Say, Bring us your proofs if you are sincere!  (27:64)”

(from The Book of Illumination)  

* 

And lessons abound from our glorious past.

We have just witnessed the historical day of ‘Ashura. A day when Allah Ta’ala accepted the repentance of Sayyidina Adam ‘Alaihis Salaam after he was expelled from Jannah, the day when Sayyidina Nuh ‘Alaihis Salaam and his followers were saved from the Flood. The day when Allah Ta’ala ordered the fire to be cool for Sayyidina Ibrahim ‘Alaihis Salaam, the day when Allah Ta’ala gave Sayyidina Musa ‘Alaihis Salaam the Commandments and spoke directly to him. The day when Sayyidina Ayyub ‘Alaihis Salaam was blessed with health after long years of suffering, the day when Sayyidina Yusuf ‘Alaihis Salaam was finally reunited with his father Ya’qub ‘Alaihis Salaam, when Sayyidina Yunus ‘Alaihis Salaam was released from the belly of the whale, when the sea parted for the Bani Israel but destroyed Firoun and his army, the day when  Sayyidina Dawud ‘Alaihis Salaam was forgiven, when the Kingdom of Sulaiman ‘Alaihis Salaam was restored, when Sayyidina Isa ‘Alaihis Salaam was raised to Jannah and Sayyidina al-Hussain RadhiAllahu anhu was blessed with the rank of Martyr.

Such inspirational reminders; May we take heed and gain solace from the trials and conditions bestowed upon our esteemed forefathers, learning from their resignation to what had been willed, and be awake to whatever contemporary lessons may be presented to us.

And a new year has begun. A renewed opportunity to assess our path to Our Rabb Subhanahu wa Ta’ala and His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. We still have time to submit to what is loved and be firm in our determination to refrain from that which may be a difficult winding path to the Garden, Insha’Allah. Ameen.

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.