Bismillahirrahmanirrahim and with the permission of
Allah.
An act of Love.
“On the 26th
of December, Malaysia has been surprised with the news of dreadful flood in the
East Coast of Malaysia. The water level has passed warning levels. All
Malaysians are reminded to be careful and take care of their belongings…”
Oh disaster,
stop all your damages,
You surely
shall vanish,
For now is
the time,
Light will
illuminate all.
For the time
the soul weeps,
Caused by
the damage when disaster stroked,
For surely
there will be a door out,
As easy as
opening a knot.
For when you
think there is no way out,
Then ponder
upon the promise made,
In
surat Ash-Sharh(Al-Insyirah). 1
1.
Verily,
along every hardship is relief. Surat Ash-Sharh V.94:5
Malaysians shattered upon hearing news about the
terrifying flood happening in the East Coast of Malaysia. 2014 was such a
memorable year for all of us. A lot of horrifying events happened this year. I
get it, to mourn over the deaths and damages the flood caused is obviously
compulsory- for some of us. But to bring it to the extent of blaming our Prime
Minister or any other high ranking officers for not doing their job, is just
soo wrong. Besides that, some may say the flood is a punishment for all the sin
Malaysians has made. On one hand, it might sound true. But, let us first ponder
back to why trials occur.
Every single action we do reflects our Iman. Iman
is courage. If our iman is clean, we will submit ourselves to Allah s.w.t. and
follow His syariah. Even though at times they seem to be hard to follow. But
little do we know that Iman is the thing that brings our normal mind to an
extraordinary mind. It is until then, we
realize that Allah s.w.t will never, ever give us something useless. Everything
has its perks.
This means, a clean Iman will make us understand
that every single obstacle and challenge we face is a gift from our Rabb and it
is impossible that Allah s.w.t gives it to us, in order to tease and play with
us.
Allah says in the Holy Quran in Surat Al-Ankabut
·
{Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We
believe,” and will not be tested? Surat Al Ankabut
V29: 2
·
And we indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will
certainly make (it) known(the truth of) those who are ture, and will certainly
make (it) know (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allah knows
all that before putting them to test) } Surat Al Ankabut
V29: 3
So, it is clear that an obstacle is obviously a
filter. And in the following ayat, Allah explains that sometimes a shortcoming
that we face is in fact a reflection of our sins and actions.
{ Evil (sins and disobedience to Allah) has appeared on land and sea
because of what the hands of men have earned(by oppression and evil deeds),that
He (Allah) may make them taste part of that which they have done, in order that
they may return(by repenting to Allah, and begging His Pardon). } Surat Ar-Rum V30:41
Yes, it is already stated in the Holy Quran that
sometimes the tests Allah sends to us is a reflection of our sins and actions.
But La Tahzan! It is only sent so that we may return to the right path and to
strive towards Jannah. It is also proven in the Quran that men are also weak
and we forget Allah during our happy times and only turn back to Him during our
downpour.
·
{And when harm touches men, they cry sincerely to their
Lord(Allah),turning to Him in repentance: but when He gives them a taste of His
Mercy, behold, a party of them associates partners in worship with their Lord.
} Surat Ar Rum V30:33
·
{And when waves cover them like shades(i.e. like clouds or the mountains
of sea-water), they invoke Allah, making their invocations for Him only. But
when He brings them safe to land, there are among them those that stop in
between (Belief and disbelief). But none denies Our Signs except every
perfidious ingrate.} Surat Luqman
V.31:32
Clear isn’t it? A test from Allah s.w.t is never
empty, it has its mission. For it is impossible to be empty. So, now, the
second thing is, some people tend to think that we had sin too much until Allah
does not listen to our prayers and doas. As you all know, He listens to all of
His servants wishes and there is no place to ask that is better than to Him. He
is also the All-Knowing. This means, He knows when is the right time to answer
our doas and prayers. He knows how much we are capable of withstanding. He
knows the benefits of the obstacles He grants us with.
{Or think
you that you will enter Paradise without such(trials) as came to those who
passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments
and were so shaken that even the Messenger of and those who believed along with
him said, “When(will come) the help of Allah?” Yes! Certainly, the Help of
Allah is near!” } Surah Al-Baqarah V.2:214
What would it feel like when men who had spent a
part of their lives being tested until they feel that they will never achieve happiness,
and at that time Allah grants the Help he has been yearning for? Is it not that
his strength will increase? Is it not that he will be more thankful? Is it not
that his Iman will increase?
And for that, Allah is Ever- Knowing when to grant
His servants prayers.
He knows the exact time and date.
Another question is I read is, “What about the people who died during
the flood?” I have to admit that I thought this was an impossible question to
answer. But then, I found my answer.
It is proven in history that there some people that
died before achieving their victory. For example, Nabi Yahya whom head was
chopped off, Nabi Zakaria whom body was cut, Anas bin Nadhr whom died with 80
stabs to his body until his face was known to no-one except his sibling who
recognized the ring on his finger, Mus’ab bin Umair whom died with both of his
hands chopped off and others who died before achieving victory.
Q: Did Allah not answer their supplications?
A: No. Allah did answer their supplications. With
His Heaven.
{That you believe in Allah and His Messenger(Muhammad s.a.w) and that
you strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allah with your wealth and your
lives: that will be better for you, if you but know! (If you do so) He will
forgive you and your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow
and pleasant dwellings in ‘Adn (Eden) Paradise: that is indeed the great
success.} Surat As-Saff
V.61:11&12
They are proof for those who are tested and are
almost losing hope in Allah.
What is left for us now is to believe in Allah’s
Help. It is up to us now, before it’s too late, let us repent on go back to the
straight path of Allah.
{……..And whoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a
way for him to get out from every difficulty. And He will provide him
from(sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah,
then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed
Allah has set a measure for all things.} Surat At-Talaq
V.65:2&3
As you all know, the flood victims are now all in
need of help in every form; mental and physical. It would be really generous of
you to drop off some staple instant food, clothes or money to legal charity
organizers that will channel your help to those in need. There are many legal
organizers that you can find the moment you click on the hashtag,
“#prayforpantaitimur” They are also in need of volunteers to help them pack the
stuffs into boxes..etc. May Allah bless each of you whom helped those in need.
Ameen. But fret not if you do have enough time or money to spare to donate. We
could also donate in the form of prayer and doas. Remember that Allah always
listens. Remember.
Being rich is simply a bonus. Have you ever
wondered why there still exists homeless people and starving countries when
there are tones of rich Islamic countries, for example, Saudi Arabia and Dubai?
This is because, money is not an answer. Being rich
doesn’t mean we could give help. Sometimes, being rich burdens us with all sort
of doubts. We would feel that if we donate, we would lose our money. So, we
would start to save. Then, we would feel that our savings is not enough. We
would do all sort of things to make our money increase. We would buy stuffs we
don’t even need in order to portray our wealth.
And in the end, what happens to the money we would
donate?
This is a result when we strive for wealth on Dunya
with the heart.
Abdurrahman bin Auf, Suhaib Ar-Rumy, Uthman Ibn
Affan, they did not chase for wealth! They did not want to be rich! The wealth
they had was only a bonus. What they did was work, effort and tawakkal. Their
intention was sincere that they live for Islam. They did not have doubts in spending their money for Islam. It was
them who paid for the army, horses and weapons in order for Islam to arise.
Akhirah was in their hearts. Dunya was only kept in
their hands, so that they could manipulate and throw whenever necessary.
Money is never a limiting factor in charity. For
instance, you could help your mother at home with the chores and make her happy
or you could spread awareness to your friends about Islam or any possible way
of charity... Money is not the only option to gain good deeds. It is left to us
to use the other ways wisely, in order to achieve our ultimate goal,
Jannah.
A.Reeza
Information taken from The Noble Quran: English Translation
