THE MIX UP THE MIX UP THE MIX UP THE MIX UP THE MIX UP THE MIX UP
We rush.
We rush to follow our desires, and we fall, we fall into sin.
We rush to follow our desires, when our desires are contradictory to those of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.
A mix up.
All creatures submit to Allah Ta’ala’s servitude, whereas man is given the power of choice. Muslims are given the complete Deen and perfect bounty. All the powers of the world cannot disintegrate Islam; Muslims can. It is sad that Muslims, intoxicated by slavery to desires, find sweetness in the rot of Dunya. The inebriation of a Dunya infatuation.
A mix up.
Weakness in the Muslim emanates from the mix up between religion and customs, habits, culture, traditions. Habits and customs do not have Divine depth, Divine origins, Divine eloquence. Religion is a Holy Command, habits and customs originate from the nafs. [Many Ulama say that Allah Ta’ala in the Qur’an, has described three main types of the Nafs. The worst being, Nafs al-Ammara Bissu’ the Nafs that urges evil, then Nafs al-Lawwama, the Nafs that Blames, and the better are Nafs al-Mutma`inna, the Nafs at Peace.]
We hear claims like “music is food for the soul” and “fine art takes man beyond the horizons”, from some Muslims.
A mix up.
A wise person realizes that “acting” is lying, some Muslims find “fun and entertainment” in lying.
Lying, via soapies, theater, movies, reality shows has become a basic component of a Muslims’ house in the form of the TV. Hours are spent in front of this box that spreads different forms of deceit. Muslims become numb and unconscious to the fact that they are Muslims; one submitted fully to Allah Ta’ala and the bearer of guidance to Paradise for the entire of humanity.
A mix up.
The reality is that thread bare remnants of the Sunnah remains in society today. The Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum travelled from their life of simplicity in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah to fight in Persia. After they defeated Persia, they RadhiAllahu anhum were invited to partake of a meal by the Persians who were accustomed to a luxurious lifestyle. The Companions thought the fine thin breads were napkins for wiping their hands. Abdullah ibn Mas’ud RadhiAllahu anhu said: “Would I leave the Sunnah of my beloved SallAllahu alaihi wasalam for the sake of these fools!” The fool is the one who does not know the Sunnah of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.
A mix up.
Umar RadhiAllahu anhu said “We are people whom Allah has honoured with Islam, if we seek honour in other than Islam, Allah will dishonor us.” This honour in Islam is missing from Muslims today. We consider nationalities, certificates, tribes, children, wealth, houses, and organizations a source of pride and thus a source of honour. We have shifted from the way of the Companions.
Despite the lifestyles of the Persians and Romans being luxurious and pleasure filled, the Companions did not see any benefit in following such pursuits, even under the claim of winning them over; as some use as an excuse to justify leaving the Sunnah today. The companions sought the benefit of Deen in whatever they did away from the lure of desires.
A mix up.
Muslims are confused between their Deen and desires. Their Deen invites them to an eternal paradise, whereas their desires invite them to temporary pleasures. The root of confusion is in spending.
Muslims today spend most of their time for purposes other than Deen. For generations our customs and habits have been the priority rather than Deen. The importance of becoming a doctor or an engineer or to have a “professional” career is inculcated into the child’s heart.
A mix up.
Time is our capital. We can never add to it. It is the most precious gift we have. Through time we can acquire wealth, but never through wealth can we buy time; neither literally nor figuratively.
The importance of what we spend on is connected to the value of what we spend. Things other than Deen have gained status and became valuable. We have spent of the most precious thing we have; time.
A mix up.
The degeneration of the Muslim has reached such an extent that following the non Muslim and competing with them is the common, turning the focus of our efforts and objectives to this world and not the Hereafter.
“This world has been created for you, and you have been created for the Hereafter” Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said. Accordingly, Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum strived for the purpose of their creation, not what has been created for them. This world has been created to help us to do our real work by preparing for the Hereafter.
A mix up.
Many claims appear advocating the betterment of the Muslims’ condition by gaining high positions, reaching to leaderships of countries, applying Shariah, Khilafat, armoring oneself with “science”, exerting effort to have various types of bombs, using different visual tools for Da’wah, and “empowering” the better half of society to leave the home and enter the workforce. Islam was revealed complete and perfect to Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, and was witnessed, loved and followed by the Sahabah and mothers of the believers RadhiAllahu anhum.
A mix up.
Even custom-infected fatwa has appeared. Some would twist the concept of “equality in marriage” to accommodate their tribal customs. Fatwa condoning a forbidden form of marriage has been given. Others have approved various forms of Riba to suit political pressures and twisted ideologies prevailing in their part of the world.
It is as if Deen is a rubber band stretched and contracted at will to suit customs, habits and desires.
A mix up.
The Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum changed their habits and customs for Islam. Their will and desires followed Islam; they changed their lives for the Deen. They moved in the world spreading Islam, pure without change, modification, addition or compromise.
When Islam became the life of the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum, the entire world was affected and Islam spread. When our Islam is minimized, we are influenced by non-Muslims’ lifestyle. Consequently, the Iman of the Muslim becomes Iman with FUJOOR (indecency), instead of Iman with TAQWA (Piety). A Muslim prays, but also likes and is tempted by the seedier aspects of life around him, then the Iman is with FUJOOR.
If a Muslim prays with Khushu to Allah, fasts Ramadan to gain Taqwa, reads Quran with pondering, remembers Allah with concentration, and behaves well with others, he will avoid mixing his Iman with FUJOOR.
Due to a misunderstanding of these basic concepts, the “mix up” of Islam with customs, traditions, cultures and habits has occurred.
Love is the key to obedience and our ability to not being in a “mix up”.
Let us all ponder how and where we make a “mix up”, imploring Allah Ta’ala to guide us towards the only way to salvation, by bringing the reality of the Sunnah of His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam into our lives, our homes, our environments, our hearts and the hearts of all around us. 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.
