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Friday, July 13, 2012 at 10:33 pm |
What stops us from self-sacrifice?
The battlefield of Badr, in the culminating phase of the war, two boys were zealously standing in the first row- Muadh bin ‘Afra (R)and Muadh bin Amr bin Al-Jamuh (R). Both of them were searching for Abu Jahl. Abdur-Rahman bin ‘Auf (R) narrated in a Hadith recorded by Sahih Bukhari that they asked him if he knows Abu Jahl.
They also told “we have been informed that he abuses Allah’s Messenger. By Him in Whose Hands my life is, if I see him, then my body will not leave his body till either of us meet his fate.” Then Abdur-Rahman bin ‘Auf (R) pointed where Abu Jahl was seen.
Both of them attacked Abu Jahl with their swords, struck him to death and returned to Allah’s Messenger (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to inform him of that. When Ikrima (He later accepted Islam), Abu Jahl’s son, saw what had happened, he turned upon Muadh (R) and yielded him such a blow that his arm was virtually severed and hung dangling on a piece of flesh. Muadh(R) continued to fight with his other hand until the pain became too severe for him to bear, so he knelt down, severed his arm completely then courageously continued to fight at his best. Overwhelmed in his passion for his religion, the boy did not feel his wound as a pain at all. These little Sahabas should enlighten us that no adornments of this world could be an obstacle while journeying through the path of Islam.
This chapter from Islamic history, should pour in zeal and energy to those who involve in religious activities. What is stopping people from toiling in the cause of Allah and sacrificing their worldly pleasures in His path? Sometimes – No, all the time, mere worldly matters would be the obstacles- home, children, spouse, job, friends etc. All these drive us busy– busy as a bee! In pursuit of achievement of these worldly affairs, we tend to forget the vital duties that we are obliged to perform in this life.
The verse below, from Bible seems to be significant in this context. Mark 9:43 “If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire.
There are people who struggle in the path of religion in different ways. Some people dedicate their entire time for deen. Day and night they stay indulged in religious activities and preaching. If we talk to many of them, they would tell that their worldly life still goes fine, with an invisible support. Allah, through Qur’an, has promised this:
…And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent. [Qur’an : 65 – part of verse 2 and 3]
This is an indescribable blessing and feeling- a loving gift – from the Lord, The Almighty, to everyone who strives for His deen. Some people trivialize its importance while some others forget it in the middle of their races for worldly gains, in this fast paced life. Such are the people who must heed the warning from Allah with due care.
Say: If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, or your kindred; the wealth that ye have gained; the commerce in which ye fear a decline: or the dwellings in which ye delight – are dearer to you than Allah, or His Messenger, or the striving in His cause;- then wait until Allah brings about His decision: and Allah guides not the rebellious. [Qura'n 9:24]
We must read the words of famous preacher of Islam Zakir Naik inline with this. Once he described in a speech that he has an innate difficulty with speaking. He cannot pronounce some words vividly. But if he speaks for the sake of spreading the message of Islam, it never troubles him. He gets an amazing flow of words.
There are quite a few examples which some of the da’ee friends have shared. Though sins happen from their end, their sincere supplications are always answered. They experience unexpected goodness and prosperity in their life. Sometimes, they are affected by heart-wrenching trials. However, at the end of all those trials they transform into more strong and steadfast persons. These are the true experiences of people who dedicate their life entirely for Allah. Only they can taste the sweetness of life.
Allah’s protection and shelter will definitely be there for those who live in the path of deen, with an unswerving imaan and abstained from the luring pitfalls of duniya. Allah will shower His blessings upon those who have sacrificed their duniya for the perpetuation of the truthful deen and preaching of it. Cut off the hands of our desires for duniya and sail vigorously in the path of deen, Allah will make us successful, In Sha Allah!
English rendering of article written by Abdul Wadud!
http://feelislam.com/2012/07/self-sacrifice/