Islam
is the religion with Allah and the followers of Islam are called Muslim
- meaning those who submit to Allah, the Most High.
Allah says in Quran 2:156 (interpretation of the meaning)
“ … Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return."
Living
with the knowledge we were created only to worship Him and that we will
return to Him is key to be obedient to Him. In this obedience, we look
at the factors influences on our lives: Time, money/wealth, eating. We
often forget the “small”
things in life like the air we breath, our sight, etc. Had we
remembered it more then we will show more gratitude and bring greater
contentment to our lives.
Yet it is time what
we either waste or are careless with while time is a creation of Allah.
It must be respected and be used for beneficial means. We look for wealth,
which is permissible in general, but when we miss the fine line in that
understanding we end up being inclined to this world. Again, the word
contentment plays a role. It must be stated, however, that acquiring
wealth is not sinful and is encouraged while you live with the full
understanding that wealth comes from Allah, Ar-Razzaaq. We eat that
which is halaal and that is good. It must be borne in mind that Allah
tells us to eat from the good things as Allah says in Quran 2:168
(interpretation of the meaning)
“O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.”
Thus,
what you do with the resources with which Allah has blessed you, is a
start to understanding your relationship with Allah. In it you develop a
relationship better than a love story in which you are patient with
your spouse. You seek time with Him, you learn his rulings and get a
better understanding of His deen - for is not His deen a way of life?
And
in it that patience or rather “sabr” has many meanings including
“perseverance”. And Allah says in Quran 2:153 (interpretation of the
meaning)
“O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.”
Prayer
and patience are partners like no other. Through prayer you build
patience but true prayer is built on patience in that you have sincerity
in front of Allah. Prayer is the first step to patience and then you
increase in good deeds and your patience in doing that, for His sake
only, will bring contentment.
Verily, in the remembrance of Allah does the heart find contentment - Quran 13:28.
Pray for us too.
