mercytoallmankind

 So I have been MIA and have been travelling for a month and am finally back home, feeling wiser,  and hoping to have found more clarity. My trip reminded me of a famous hadith (saying) of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) where he said,  “Seek Knowledge even as far as China”.  Sometimes books cannot teach you what observance of other cultures and countries can teach you. Though I have never been to China but I love this hadith because it humbles the Muslim and encourages him to go forth and seek knowledge no matter how far one has to go.

Muslims often feel that if they are not seeking religious knowledge then they are not true seekers. This well –known hadith, in my opinion does not drive us to only seek sacred knowledge; it in fact is asking us to broaden our horizons and to learn from what others have done. What we often miss is the lesson derived from what is learned. If we come back richer in our knowledge of determining right from wrong then this in fact becomes sacred. In essence you are seeking sacred knowledge.

Knowledge is the key that sets people apart from the masses. The more knowledge one has the more their rank in the eyes of the world and in the Divine eyes of Allah (God) are raised.  However, accumulation of knowledge is not the ultimate goal, it’s the wisdom and lessons that we derive from the knowledge which is what should be attained ultimately.   Seeking knowledge helps to distinguish right from wrong and allows us to think critically in order for us to determine the outcome of those who chose another path.

Allah Almighty says in the Quran (30:19) Chapter Al-Rum (The Romans) “Do they not travel in the land, and see what was the end of those before them? They were superior to them in strength, and they tilled the earth and populated it in greater numbers than these (pagans) have done, and there came to them their Messengers with clear proofs. Surely, Allâh wronged them not, but they used to wrong themselves.”

Allah gives countless parables and stories in the Quran that encourage us to go and see what others have done in other lands. It is a constant reminder for us to check ourselves and to adopt and learn the good from others.  This is the true message of seeking beneficial knowledge. Remember to adopt the good and drop the bad!

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) gave glad tidings to anyone who undertakes the task of seeking knowledge. Abu Hurayrah relates that the Prophet (pbuh) said, “For him who embarks on the path of seeking knowledge, Allah will ease for him the way to paradise.” (Related by Muslim) If no other saying (Hadith) on the importance of knowledge besides this one had ever been uttered by the Prophet, it would have been enough for Muslims. Yet the Prophet did more than that. He also stated “A learned one is as much above an (ordinary) worshiper as I am above the least of you; and he added: Allah, His angels and all those in the heavens and in the earth, even the ants in their holes and the fish in the water, call down blessings on those who instruct people in beneficial knowledge.” (Related by Tirmithi).

I feel blessed in my recent journey to have come across people that carried within them true, good knowledge. Not only do they carry true knowledge but they carry within their souls a light that illuminates their heart that manifests in everything they do. I have truly witnessed Divine illumination in those who run towards God in doing good. I am inspired! I pray to God for granting me along with those who are seeking Him a piece of that Divine Light ameen. You don’t have to go to China, you just have to go!

When a person selflessly services creation for the sake of the Creator, then a specific benefit is received to them in their current life and in the afterlife. I really feel when we focus too much on ourselves, we become self-absorbed and we haul a heaviness upon ourselves that makes us negative as a result. The heaviness breeds in us a constant state of need and want. If we live our life trying to serve others, this is fact is a way to lighten the heavy load that is unnecessary for us to carry.

By worshiping God with the intention of serving others, we receive a blessed energy (Divine energy) or Noor(Light) that we carry and that keeps us energized in a way that others can benefit from. The Quran repeatedly reminds humanity of the very fact that the life that we have been gifted with  is meant to be utilized to serve others. This in turn actually improves our health and gives us rewards that we need in the afterlife.

I personally know someone who is 65 and she still looks 40 and her secret to youth and mobility is her undying faith and her tenacity to keep herself going for the sake of her Lord. She isn’t necessarily obsessed with her health but she is selfless and whatever she earns she spends for those people who are in need. Her exercise is her life’s drive that motivates her to always do things for others whether it is her family, her friends or just a random person that she comes across. God says in the Quran (9:71) And (as for) the believing men and believing women, they are guardians of each other; they enjoin good and forbid evil and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, and obey Allah and His Apostle; (as for) these, Allah will show mercy to them; surely Allah is Mighty, Wise.

Not only is this lady’s demeanor youthful, but her aura radiates with a genuine happiness, contentment and fulfillment. These traits are seldom found when one is only absorbed with oneself and rarely makes the time to help anyone other than themselves.

Quranic quotes revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that support this:

For those of us who are too concerned about our outer appearance, the beauty within resonates outwardly when life is spent in the service of others. Lets try it. No wonder the Prophet was known for his radiant energy and appeal. He always cared for his people and even those of later times.

With all the craziness that is happening in the world these days, one may think that there is no more humanity left on earth and just when you may be losing hope in people in this world, God Almighty sheds His light by sending His angelic people for help. God reminds us again and again that He is in charge and that all trust and faith belong only to Him and Him alone.

One of my favorite scholars, Shaikh Hamza Yusuf once said that “All relationships are designed to disappoint you in this world except for your relationship with Allah”. So I feel like telling everyone in this world that we cannot lose hope and faith because God is everywhere and He has a plan that is beyond our scope of understanding. If we tried with our limited brain capacity to comprehend His will, we would never be able to understand His magnanimity. Our minds are not programmed to fully understand and are not exposed to His “veiled unseen worlds.” But, we are promised to be privy to His plan in the next life as long as we obey and fulfill His command by trying to be human and worship Him in the way that our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon Him) taught us how to worship.

In the Quran God reveals Surah Al Dhariyaat: (51:v56)

“And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).” Here this ‘worship’ not only is talking about the 5 pillars that Muslims are required to do which are listed below but also the other ways we can worship Him:

1. Declaration of belief in one God and believing in all of the Prophets an acknowledging that Muhammad is the last messenger.
2. Prayer– the five obligatory prayers
3. Fasting-Fasting in Ramadan
4. Zakat-Paying our due to the needy 2.5% of our yearly savings from out income.
5. Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca atleast once in your lifetime if you can afford and have health.

Although, many Muslims feel that worshipping God is just sitting at home and praying on the prayer mat and just leaving it at that. In reality, worshipping God is much more than that. I believe that worshipping God is trusting in Him while we supplicate Him and only Him and then making the intention to stay away from all wrong actions that would disappoint God and only intending to do that which would benefit our family, humanity, the planet, the needy and speaking up for justice against the oppressors of the world. Only then can we really say that we are worshipping our Lord. This is actually a selfless act which not only helps others but sends us direct blessings in this world and in the Hereafter.

I would like to remind myself firstly and all my fellow brothers and sisters around the world, lets please make time to do things beyond our normal routines and touch the lives of those that need help! Lets be selfless here in this world and be selfish in attaining God’s pleasure and nearness to Him.

When disappointed with the heedlessness and cruel behavior of unjust people, our Prophet (PBUH), before receiving Divine revelations from God would often go in seclusion to ponder upon the meaning of life and to reflect and meditate to come closer to his Lord. Today, I am reminded of those early days of ignorance before Islam came  and I feel the need to seclude myself for short periods of time and reflect, what is really the meaning of life?  Maybe my reflection will bring about change that is beyond my imagination….If Muhammad (PBUH) can do it, so can we! Are we united?….the choice is ours!