bismi-lLah wa-lhamdu li-lLah wa-shshalatu wa-ssalamu 'ala rasuli-lLah
wa 'ala alihi wa ashhabihi wa ma-wwalah, amma ba'd, assalamu 'alaikum.
hope we'd think just like him..........
The final call?
Sikander Ziad Hashmi,
I wake up every morning. Within the first 30 minutes of waking up, Im
checking my e-mail and browsing the net. Its a routine.
Before leaving for a journey, I know that I wont get net access for a
while, so I check my e-mail thoroughly and spend some extra time
checking some stuff online, since I wont be able to do so for the next
little while.
In the same way, I study throughout the semester (a routine), but when
its exam-eve, I take the extra moment to solidify the data in my mind
for the exam.
In both these instances, Im pretty sure that Ill either be going on a
journey or will be faced with an exam the next day, thus I take the
time to prepare.
Alhamdulillah, through the blessing of Allah (SW) and the efforts of my
parents, I have become accustomed to offering my 5 daily salat. Yet, it
also has become a routine of sorts. Im used to praying so I pray.
Many of those prayers are spent thinking about what I have to do next,
while others speed-by while lost in thought about some other matter or
pursuit. Although they are not the ideal salat, Insha-Allah, it is
hoped that Allah (SW) will accept my duty of daily salat as being
discharged, even with these semi-conscious prayers (which aren't
supposed to be that way).
However, in contrast with the two examples in the beginning, I can
never be sure if a salat will be my last.
During ta`leem this afternoon, a hadith caught my attention.
The Prophet (SAW) is reported (by many narrators) to have said, Offer
each salat (with) such (devotion) as if it were the last salat of your
life.
My thoughts suddenly rushed over to Southeast Asia and the tsunami
disaster. Many Muslims perished (may Allah grant them all a place in
Jannah). While walking out of the masjid, how many would have thought
that they had just offered their last salat and that they will soon be
swept to sea?
We can try to sweep it under the rug as much as we want, but the fact
remains that (as Ive said before), our birth certificates dont carry
expiry dates. The `Asr I have just prayed or the Maghrib Im about to
offer (Insha-Allah) may very well be my final call to Allah (SW) before
He calls me back.
Before leaving for a journey or prior to an exam, I know that I better
take the extra minutes to prepare and do it well, for I wont get
another chance in the near future. But when offering my salat, I dont
even know if Ill suddenly find myself in an unexpected journey - from
which there is no turning back.
Isnt it ironic that I tend to sacrifice that which will (hopefully)
help me in the Hereafter - when it all really counts - in exchange for
short-term concerns that wont help one bit in the Hereafter, and may
even turn out to be a disadvantage for me?
Man, Im such a fool.
May Allah (SW) help me and all of us in streamlining our thoughts
towards Allah during our salat, and help us make each of our prayers as
if theyre our last.
Ameen.
Leo Imanov
Abdu-lLah
AllahsSlave
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{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom
(i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue
with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone
astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.}
(Holy Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in
His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites
(men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I
am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if
Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of
camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever
calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who
follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all."
[Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
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