Where is Allah in our so-called “Strength”??

Assalamualaikum w.b.t.

First of all, sorry for not posting any post for quite some time. Thus, I would like share an article (which is not mine) that open up my mind. And I hope it’ll also benefits you as a reader. This article was actually in Malay, but I tried to translate in English (my first try perhaps) so that other english readers will also get the benefits from it, hopefully. The article portrays some of what I observed among the people who would like to entitle themselves as “dai’e”. I observed that most people have a very good view of very BIG things or issues such as in bringing back the glory of Islam (yes, of course I agree); but some of them would likely to miss some small things. And that small thing is what I would like share.

2 cents from me, ibnzakaria.

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WHERE IS ALLAH IN OUR STRENGTH?

Once upon a time, a friend approached me when I was not in a very good state of Iman; facing the challenges of these days as a Muslim. Visible as though I could not afford to stand firm across the day laden with issues and problems. With tranquil eyes and smile, he draw calmly near to me. Tranquility that has been quite far from me these days. Not much that was said from the lips of his. However, I could still hear his words and always bear it in my mind. The words struck deep down in my heart.

I still remember the question that been asked. He asked a question that makes me glued without words.

He asked, what is the strength that encourages you to do and deliver the message of God?

Where is ALLAH in your strength?

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Allah is always there with us

Once upon a time, a friend approached me when I was not in a very good state of Iman; facing the challenges of these days as a Muslim. Visible as though I could not afford to stand firm across the day laden with issues and problems. With tranquil eyes and smile, he draw calmly near to me. Tranquility that has been quite far from me these days. Not much that was said from the lips of his. However, I could still hear his words and bear it in my mind. It struck deep down in my heart.

I still remember the question that been asked. He asked a question that makes me glued without words.

He asked, what is the strength that encourages you to do and deliver the message of God?

I startled.

What kind of question is this? Where is he going with the question? Is this a trick question?

All kinds of queries raced through my mind, but I was still mummed with no answer.

“Do you understand the question?” he asked while carving a smile.

I nodded, though my heart are still not 100% sure yet with my own understanding.

“Erm, well, it seems that there are many sources of my strength. I’ve always driven by other colleagues to do good deeds to Allah. Most of my friends always gave me advices, reminder and invite me to improve our ‘amal every day. Plus, the tarbiyyah that I’ve been through also helps me build the strength for my dzatiyyah. Tarbiyyah gives me a great awareness about the actual responsibilities of a Muslim. I think, our fitrah (nature) as a servant to Allah also plays roles. We as a vicegerents on Earth should enjoining good and peace based on His law; thus, it is necessarily that the elements of fitrah will never refute me from performing the responsibilities as His servants. ”

I tried to convince my friend.

Once again, he smiled. I smile back while looking right into his eyes.

He recognized, “Okay, so, you mentioned your friends, tarbiyyah and fitrah.” I nodded; agree.

He added, “Where is Allah in your strength?”

Astaghfirullah hal ‘azim. The question stab back at me deeply. It still felt till now. A question that open my eyes and mind which were still shallow and short at that time.

Where is Allah? What is the role of Allah in the strength and dzatiyah of mine? Why did I not mention Allah as my strength, while Allah should be the main strength of a daie.

Honestly, I am very disappointed with myself. I realized that the Akhlaq of a man is a flashing of speeches and deeds of the most spontaneous. I was disappointed with the fact that I did not spontaneously mention Allah as my core strength. I listed other factors like the constant reminders from my peers, the upbringing and knowledge gained through education and tarbiyyah, as well as the nature of humankind as His servant. But, I failed to mention Allah per se.

“Astaghfirullah. O Allah, forgive your servant, please accept my repentance. ”

just a reminder

I approached my friend, then sit on beside him. He wisely said,

“Righteously, Allah should be the main reason we are here. He should be our main strength in facing the day-to-day as His carrier of the Risalah. It is not denied that friends help us very much, they remind us a lot about responsibility and practices that we need to do. Our companions will always be with us in either difficult or pleasant circumstances. They play major role in ensuring us to be tsabat in this way of delivering the Risalah. However, the fact is that it all came from Allah.”

“We often forget the fact regardless what we see with the naked eye. We see our friends with us.We see them laugh and cry together. Eating, cooking, riadhah and exploring together. But sometimes we overlook that behind it all, Allah has planned everything. Maybe if we sit alone and muhasabah during the night, we should not forget that Allah is the key that made the plan done. However everything, in the Spur of the moment, when we are around other people, having fun or feeling sad, we Tend to forget that fact. We usually see and acknowledge things that we can physically visualize, failing to acknowledge the superior play in our lives, which is Allah. ”

I still feel ashamed of my answer just now. Shame on myself, shame to my friend beside me and most importantly, shame to Allah. Dai’e should always put Allah on top of everything. There many lessons that I get when I reflect on this event.

In my opinion, it all relates back to the initial intention that we had when we first told ourselves, “We want to be a better Muslim, we want to spread Islam, we want to be a daie.” Why? What was the reason behind all that wants? Truthfully and honestly it is because of Allah, or was there another agenda or intentions lurking beneath that beautiful action? If we truly did it because of Allah, with He’s will, we will not forget Allah throughout the course of our life as a Muslim. However, if we had other intentions, don’t fret. We still have time to repent and renew our intentions. Allah is surely Most Merciful and He loves His slaves who are constantly trying to improve and become a better Muslim.

If we put our strength on our friends, what will probably happen if we are no longer with our companions? Will we still survive and carry out these responsibilities of spreading the da’wah ? Are we still able to maintain the Islamic practices that we do every day?

Therefore, we need to place Allah as our strength. He decides everything. He alone gives the guidance and hidayah to our friends and ourselves. Our presence at this time is under the power of Allah alone. Who am I for not serving Allah as He is the one and only God?

Insya Allah, if we continuously place Allah as our main strength, no matter where we are, alone or together, in Malaysia or outside the country, rich or poor, difficult or easy, healthy or sick; we will always remember our responsibilities as a true Muslim.

Thus, in this very moment, truthfully and honestly,

Where is Allah in your so-called “Strength”?

source: http://bahantarbiyyah.info (this website is not working anymore, just to mention where did I get this article)

translated by: ibnzakaria with the help of Mr. Google =P

Wassalam.