Weakness Of Faith

[SAFAH]

Weakness of Faith

by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah alayh)

Dealing with various cases every day of our lives, we find something which has become so common is the type of statements that people utter when they are in difficulties, hardships, pain and suffering. …There is just no contemplation, no reflection, no thought – just immediate criticism of Allah Ta’ala’s system and ‘government’ - as we will say.

Some question Allah Ta’ala’s wisdom and say: ‘What kind of Allah is this that He has done such injustice to me!’ (Na’uzu Billah)

People actually use these kind of words, attributing their difficulties to Allah Ta’ala, accusing Him of injustice (Na’uzu Billah). …Yet who can be more just than Allah Ta’ala?

“Indeed, Allah does not do injustice, [even] as much as an atom's weight…”

[surah Nisaa 4 : 40] 

Such people only see the outside. They see what is on the surface. Their ignorance becomes apparent, and sometimes their arrogance becomes evident.

In English, there is a proverb: Ignorance is bliss. However, this statement is an ill-considered one. It may be bliss in this world, but when the veils of the Unseen are lifted, then ‘bliss’ comes to an end. Bliss is then replaced with distress.

And ignorance is no bliss for the Muslim if it leads him to sins, and if it leads him to such statements which can even throw him out of Islam, and land him in Jahannum.

And arrogance is such an evil which leads the person to believe that he is infallible; that nothing can ‘touch’ him – and when something does, then the nafs is provoked and he makes such statements. …As if we have some right to question Allah Ta’ala or criticise His Decisions.

Why? …Because there is no recognition of Allah Ta’ala; no knowledge and understanding of the system and the wisdom of Allah Ta’ala.

By Allah, this worldly life is not to be taken lightly – as if we are here to just while away our days and do as we like - and when things go wrong, then we get upset and angry because our boat which was sailing smoothly is suddenly hit by a storm.  

We should keep in mind that many a time, the sins that we have committed in our lives – which we do not even remember, let alone consider sins – are probably the cause for the museebat (difficulty). …And this is, indeed, a weakness:  we easily forget our injustices.

Some great injustice could have been done upon some person. It could have been that many years ago, we were unjust to someone. The person may have been under our authority or may have been at our mercy, and we caused great hurt and great grief to the person. It could have been injustice to parents, or wife, or an employee, a student, a poor person, even a non-Muslim – we least realize that that injustice will catch up at some stage in life.  

Other sins, Allah Ta’ala forgives. The person makes Taubah from sins and Allah Ta’ala forgives. However, there are certain sins, where justice has to be meted out… unless the person asks those people for forgiveness here. If not, Allah Ta’ala punishes in this world. …Aakhirat is Aakhirat - but even in this lifetime, punishment descends very swiftly on injustice – whether it was injustice upon a Muslim or non-Muslim.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) has related that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: Three types of people’s Duas are not rejected:

1.)   The fasting person when he breaks fast,

2.)   The just ruler

3.)   And the one who is oppressed.

Allah Ta’ala raises the Dua of the oppressed above the clouds and the doors of heaven are opened for it and Allah Ta’ala says, “By My Majesty and Honour! I will help and aid you, even though after few days.”

[Tirmidhi]

So sometimes the difficulty and calamity is the recompense of our own oppression and injustice.

And sometimes it is a test. Allah Ta’ala is taking our examination.

…If every student says: “Great injustice is being done to me in the Matric examination. I have to work so hard, I have to study so much …I have to burn the midnight oil.”

Will we call that injustice? …No!

Even the student knows and understands that on that hard work and sacrifice, there will be awards and rewards after he passes his examination.

Look at the amount of time spent studying when the person wants to become a doctor, or wants to become an engineer, or a scientist, or whatever else.  …Can we say that that hard work and sacrifice is injustice?

Others are sleeping early or they are enjoying themselves at the clubs, cinemas and theatres. And this student has to work so hard.

The student knows that after the years of study, he will graduate and his qualifications will place him in a high bracket of earning. He knows that once he starts earning, he will be able to afford various material luxuries.

Because of what he hopes to earn and what he will be able to afford – whether a beautiful car, home, traveling the world, etc. …which he dreams of, he is prepared to work very hard. No one calls that injustice.

Allah Ta’ala informs us :

“We will definitely test you with some fear, some hunger and some loss in your wealth, in your health and in the fruits.”

[surah Al-Baqarah 2 : 155]

Allah Ta’ala tests each one of us – and this is, after all, a world of test – but the test is also within the capacity of the person to bear:

“Allah does not obligate anyone beyond his capacity”

[surah Baqarah 2 : 286]

Whatever the test from Allah Ta’ala, it is definitely within the capacity of the person to bear. Allah Ta’ala’s Ma’iyyat (proximity) is with the person who is being tested.

“…Indeed, Allah is with the patient.”

[surah Baqarah 2 : 153]

Glad-tidings are given to those who patiently persevere and pass such tests :

 “Give glad-tidings to those who patiently persevere. And when any trial reaches them,  they say : ‘Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji-oon

(from Allah we have come and to Him is our return).” They are those on whom are the benefactions of their Lord, and receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones.”

[surah Al-Baqarah 2 : 155/156/157]

If it is an azaab (punishment) from Allah Ta’ala, the person will not enjoy the Ma’iyyat (closeness) of Allah Ta’ala. He will not have the love and muhabbat of Allah Ta’ala in that test because Allah Ta’ala is not on his side. Then that difficulty makes the person’s life restless, miserable, tightened and narrow and the person cannot seem to find a way out. …If he had Taqwa, there would be an exit, a way out of the problem. Allah Ta’ala alleviates and lightens the person’s test.

‘And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out, And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine…”

[surah Talaaq 65 : 2/3]

Had Taqwa been in his life, had he engendered piety and Allah-fearing in his heart, that same Allah, who has sent the test will find a way out for him.

Before making rash statements, we should look into our lives and check if this is a test or an azaab. Do we have Taqwa or are we living a life of negligence and indifference?

What is the point of making all kinds of statements, condemning and rejecting everything – when the root cause is our own disobedience or oppression?

Where are these statements taking the person? …Certainly not in the direction of solving the problem!

Let us not forget that we are servants of Allah Ta’ala. We are not an authority over Allah Ta’ala. Allah Ta’ala has said:

"He is not questioned of what He does…."

[surah Al-Ambiyaa 21 : 23]

"…Allah knows and you do not know."

[surah An-Noor: 24 :19]

Let us recognize our reality and let us be humble servants. As has been aptly said:

“Allah has created you from dust,

Hence O bondsman,

Adopt an attitude of meekness

and humility like dust.”

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq of sincere Taubah, or recognizing Him, of loving Him and being obedient to Him.