Loneliness is defined as, "Having no-one or nothing else around, which cause sadness and depression[1]"
In recent times loneliness has taken on an almost epidemic nature. According to a Boston Globe article, "Loneliness is becoming a major health problem.[2]" And it is common to see articles like: "LONELINESS CAN BE THE DEATH OF US.[3]"
When trying to assess the cause, or causes, of loneliness current trends focus on the absence of loved one's, success and friendship. Although there is no doubt that absence of such things creates loneliness in one's life. A quick review of some of the current terms, given to contemporary loneliness, reveals that something greater than the material is the root cause of it Some of these terms include:
"And We send down from the Qur'an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe."
The Qur'an is a medication and cure for the ills of the soul. Thus, the wise person is he who medicates his soul with the verses of Allah (swt).
Uncovering the remedy for loneliness:
Indeed, the balagah, rhetoric, of the Qur'an is an important part of what makes the Qur'an a miracle. It is important for Muslims in non-Arab lands to gain a mastery of Arabic in our order to taste the sweet quenching nature of the Quranic expression. Come take my hand as we walk through this lush garden and find the fruit, which will cure, inshallah our sorrows.
One of the most common phrases found in the Qur'an is, "My lord" or "Our Lord." However, if you pay attention you will notice that there is something missing in these phrases? What's missing is what is known has, harf nida, a word[6] which signifies a call. Usually, but not always, it is done with the letter ya. For example, Allah calls on the believers:
"And We said, Oh Adam reside with you wife in Paradise.[7]"
In addition Allah (swt) uses this form of address with the Prophet (sa), His wives (ra), the hypocrites and people of other faiths. However, when the believer is calling on Allah one finds that the harf, word, ya is missing?
Let's Partake Of The Fruit
As we said, the word ya, oh, is used to call someone. For example, if you were in one room and your friend, let's say his name is Wassim, was in the next room, how would you call him? You would say, "Ya, oh, Wassim!" However, if our dear Wassim was on the other side of a large field and you wanted to call him, how would you do it? You would raise your voice and yell, "YA WASSIM!" However, if Wassim was sitting right next to you, extremely close to you, how would you call him? Of course you would just turn to him and say, "Wassim." There would be no need for the ya because Wassim was so close to you.
The scholars of Balagha say that, "The Ya used for the calling of Allah by the servant is hidden on purpose in order to illustrate the intense closeness Allah shares with them, by His knowledge. In fact, if you were to look at every single supplication made to Allah (swt) in the Qur'an you would only find the word ya, oh, used twice! Thus a believer should never feel alone once he has comprehended this.[8]
"And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am close. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he cries unto Me[9]."
This verse is very unique because it is the only verse in the Qur'an where a person came to the Prophet (sa) and asked him a question about Allah (swt). Usually when such and event happened, the revelation would be sent instructing the Prophet (sa) to, "Say or Qul." However, this verse was sent because the people were enquiring about supplication, thus the response did not come through the Prophet (sa) but Allah (swt) answered them in the first person! Again, as the scholars have commented, this was done to show the special relationship between Allah and His servants. It is so close that He did not answer through the Prophet (sa), but answered it directly. Thus when one realizes this, there will be no further loneliness, because Allah is with His servants, listening to them and taking care of them.
وهو معكم أين ما كنتم
"He is with you, wherever you are."
Summary:
1. The believers loneliness is based on his/her closeness to Allah.
2. Worldly possessions are not the key to happiness
3. Allah is so close to His servants that they only have to sincerely call upon Him
4. One is never alone because Allah is there
We Ask Allah to bless us with closeness to Him in this life and the next.
[3] Boston Globe, April 22, 1996, LONELINESS CAN BE THE DEATH OF THE US, Judy Foreman
[4] This term is a creation of Dr. Dan Kiley who states that over 10-20 million people (primarily women) suffer from it. He blames it on the rise of feminism and the unrealistic expectations men have placed on women do to the alteration of gender definitions and expectations.
[5] This term was coined by Dr. Roberta Hestenes of Eastern College.
[6] I translated harf here as word for the sake of simplicity
[7] Surah Al-Baqarah verse 35
[8] For an amazing discussion on this see Khasais Al-T'abir Al-Quran wa Samatuhu Al-Balagha by Dr. Abdul Matin Al-Mut'i Al-Azhari, vol.2 pg. 7
As we said, the word ya, oh, is used to call someone. For example, if you were in one room and your friend, let's say his name is Wassim, was in the next room, how would you call him? You would say, "Ya, oh, Wassim!" However, if our dear Wassim was on the other side of a large field and you wanted to call him, how would you do it? You would raise your voice and yell, "YA WASSIM!" However, if Wassim was sitting right next to you, extremely close to you, how would you call him? Of course you would just turn to him and say, "Wassim." There would be no need for the ya because Wassim was so close to you.
OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG!
WOW! WOW! Wow! Wow!!
Subhan Allah !subhan Allah! Subhan Allah!!
Allahoo akbar! Allahoo akbar!!
that is amazing. subhan Allah!!
May Allah reward you enormously for posting that!!
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