Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
سلسلة علّمني ديني
By: Shaykh Muhammad bin Umar BÄzmÅ«l –hafidhahullah
Translations and Annotations by Misbaah Olagunju (Abu Aamaal)
[2] My Religion Taught Me:
That the condition of man on earth is in misery and that his happiness is in his being with Allah, is granted by Allah, is in his striving for Allah's sake.
Translator's notes:
This is indeed a short but very insightful speech by the Shaykh –hafidhahullah–, it has summarized in it an indication to the tumultuous nature of this world; that with all it's glitters, enticements and enjoyment, true happiness is not attainable in it except with Allah (ma' Allah). Man is forever wound up in worry, fear and unrest, probing all nooks and means for relief but he won't be able to find true relief except with Allah, and that luxury is reserved for only the believers. Allah –the Exalted– siad:
ٱلَّذÙینَ ءَامَنÙوا۟ وَتَطۡمَىٕÙنّ٠قÙÙ„ÙوبÙÙ‡ÙÙ… بÙØ°Ùكۡر٠ٱللَّهÙÛ— أَلَا بÙØ°Ùكۡر٠ٱللَّه٠تَطۡمَىٕÙنّ٠ٱلۡقÙÙ„ÙوبÙ
"Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest". – [Surah Ar-Ra'd 28]
Also from what the speech comprises of insight is that only Allah is capable of granting Happiness (bi'llah). The decision of whether a slave is happy or miserable is His sovereign volition and non share in any portion of it with Him –the exalted–. The prophet –Allah raise his rank and grant him peace– said in a section of the popular Hadith on human embryology narrated by Abdullah bin Mas'ud –radiyallahu anhu– as reported in the saheehayn:
Ø«Ùمَّ يَبْعَث٠اللَّه٠مَلَكًا، ÙÙŽÙŠÙؤْمَر٠بÙأَرْبَع٠كَلÙمَاتÙØŒ ÙˆÙŽÙŠÙقَال٠لَه٠اكْتÙبْ عَمَلَه٠وَرÙزْقَه٠وَأَجَلَه٠وَشَقÙيٌّ أَوْ سَعÙيدٌâ€.â€
"Then Allah sends an angel who is ordered to write four things. He is ordered to write down his (i.e. the new creature's) deeds, his livelihood, his death (when and how he will die), and whether he will be happy or miserable" - [Sahih Al-Bukhari: 3208]
And lastly from the benefit deduced from the Shaykh's summarization is the declaration of the means to happiness (fi'llah); In striving upon Allah's cause, doing everything for His sake. The messenger of Allah –Allah raise his rank and grant him peace– said in the Hadith reported by Abu Umaamah –radiyallahu anhu–:
مَنْ Ø£ÙŽØَبَّ Ù„ÙلَّهÙØŒ وَأَبْغَضَ Ù„ÙلَّهÙØŒ وَأَعْطَى Ù„ÙلَّهÙØŒ وَمَنَعَ Ù„Ùلَّه٠؛ Ùَقَد٠اسْتَكْمَلَ الْإÙيمَانَ.
"Whoever love for the sake of Allah, and hate for the sake of Allah and give for the sake of Allah and hinder for the sake of Allah; has indeed perfected his Eemaan" - [Sunan Abee DÄwÅ«d: 4681]
And the Muslim should also know that this world is to him like a confinement but also ephemeral, so he should bear whatever is apportioned to him of its tribulations with patience, seeking resort in the remembrance of Allah and motivation in the perpetual bliss prepared for him in the hereafter.
And that ends the second lesson.
Watch out for more lessons from what my religion taught me...
Click here for Part I.
