Thrill with some Frill

Masha-Allah, while we may have the noble desire to listen to the talks of deen, however, the question to ask ourselves is, “What is our intention”? If it is to change our lives and to become better Muslims, then we will definitely be prepared to hear what we need to hear. On the other hand, Allah Ta‘ala protect us, if we seek to entertain ourselves, then we will only hear what we want to hear.

Really, we cannot allow our deen to become a mere thrill with some frill. If someone is truly concerned about her health, she will adhere to the advice of one doctor and at times refer to a specialist for a second opinion. However, nobody will visit every doctor in town in order to enjoy different coloured syrups and tablets. Such foolishness will bring about further complications, rather than any cure. Our spiritual health is many times more delicate and sensitive. Listening to a single poisonous word could leave us spiritually dead.

Hence, instead of listening to the talks of anyone and everyone, watching videos of the most thrilling motivational speakers on YouTube, chasing after variety, confusing our taste buds, digesting nothing and practising nil, we rather hold firmly to the teachings of a few reliable, Allah-fearing and sunnah-adhering ‘Ulama who will not only tell us what we want to hear, but what we need to hear. 

My Child’s Salaah

The difference between the parents of yesterday and the parents of today is that yesterday’s parents were concerned about nurturing the child’s inner qualities and outer actions, whereas today the parent’s main concern is the comfort, education and entertainment of the child. Thus the children of today lack discipline and righteousness.

As mothers let us help our child to become a saahib e tarteeb, that they do not miss a single salaah from the day of their maturity. Let us ensure that our son goes to the musjid with his father and our daughter performs salaah with us at home. Daily we need to check on their salaah. Our children will be the coolness of our eyes when deen comes into their lives. Salaah is the stepping stone to complete deen coming alive in our children.

Bridle the Idle Mind

We need to be creative and constructive. We need to keep ourselves occupied in useful activities and our minds need to be engaged in profitable thoughts. We cannot allow ourselves to simply remain idle, as this becomes the fertile field for many ills to breed in our lives.

The idle mind begins to run into the dusty memories of the past and dig up nasty experiences. People’s actions and words are further scanned and scrutinised and are inevitably misread and misinterpreted. These ill-thoughts mature into ill-feelings, which in turn rekindle forgotten hatred. This hatred which is now hidden in the crevices of our hearts, stealthily seeks opportunities to unmask itself in words and actions. It ultimately destroys all peace of mind and tranquillity of heart. Therefore, we cannot afford to sit idle at the risk of losing all the good that we are presently enjoying. Let us strive to occupy ourselves with good, so that goodness occupies our lives.

Lower the Gaze

Generally women are of the misconception that the command to lower the gaze is restricted to the man only, and they are free to look at men, whereas the command is for women to lower their gazes as well. At times curiosity gets the better of us. Especially on the occasion of a marriage, we are all too eager to get a glance at who the bridegroom really is. What we fail to realise is that in breaking the command of Allah Ta‘ala of lowering the gaze, we deprive ourselves of the sweetness of imaan. Just one glance and our hearts are captured, our minds are thrown off balance and we lose all concentration in our acts of worship. We need to ask ourselves whether it is worth the glance; that for a moment of false pleasure we lose that clear communication we once enjoyed with our creator Allah Ta‘ala? Really, we do not know that behind the lowering of our gaze on which specific occasion lies our entry into paradise. Let us strive to lower our gaze and raise our stage.

A Clean Heart

Imagine having a white bed sheet that is soiled with oil, blotted with ink and stained with paint ... will we ever think of sleeping on such a sheet? The answer is a definite “NO!” Then, how is it ever possible to sleep with a heart smudged with hatred, burning in anger, drowned in jealousy? It is as simple as forgiving, overlooking and cleaning our hearts of all evil at all times. We cannot afford to leave this world with a heart that is filled with dirt. Having a clean heart invites peace, happiness and contentment in our lives. It is only a clean heart that will allow the mercy, love and bond with Allah Ta‘ala to be established and strengthened. Death may come to us at any time. Let us strive to leave this world and meet our Allah Ta‘ala with a heart that is clean and pure.