REPLY
Bismihi Ta’ala
Respected Brother in Islam,
Wa-alaykumus Salaam wa-Rahmatullahi wa-Barakaatum
1.) Sustenance, health, life – in fact, everything
- is predestined. It is only Allah Ta’ala
(God) who has total knowledge of all and everything, as well as
what is going to happen. No human being can read your palm or tell
your fortune in any other way, and thereby predict your future.
2.) However, we live in a world of means and thus we make use of
the means, and then leave the decision to Allah Ta’ala. So
we make an effort in acquiring our sustenance, in earning a livelihood.
After this effort, whatever reaches us, should be appreciated, whether
it is little or more. …This is based on Divine Distribution,
not on how much harder we work and strive. …Many are professionals,
but are without any kind of job or income. Despite their degrees,
they are unable to earn a living.
3.) Amongst many things, there are 5 things which are mentioned
in particular, which are exclusive to the knowledge of Allah Ta’ala.
No one else knows about these 5 besides Allah. So no person can
tell you about these 5 things.
Allah Ta'ala states in the Qur`aan Shareef (Divine Book) :
“Verily Allah; With Him (alone) is the Knowledge of
the Hour (Qiyaamah), He sends down the rain, and knows that which
is in the wombs. No person knows what he will earn tomorrow (the
next day), and no person knows in what land he will die. Verily,
Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware (He is acquainted with all things).”
[Surah Luqmaan 31 : 34]
Thus, tomorrow is a secret known to Allah Ta’ala alone.
Included in this is:
- The detailed knowledge of exactly what a person will be able to
do.
- All we can do is plan. However, we should not trust in those plans.
Anything can happen - an accident, death, war, revolution etc. which
will then change those plans.
- All plans are subject to Allah Ta’ala’s confirmation.
- This part of the ayat (verse) also refers to wealth, i.e.
exactly how much money a person will earn for that day.
4.) Look towards those who have less than you to appreciate what
you have.
5.) For a Muslim, the true contentment lies not in material wealth
and riches, rather in the contentment of the heart. This contentment
is achieved with firm belief in Allah Ta’ala, His Final Prophet
Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and belief in the Hereafter, and complete
submission to Allah Ta’ala in this worldly life. It is the
religion of Islam which offers true fulfilment to the heart and
soul.
6.) Ambition is in its place. Who isn’t ambitious? But this
ambition must not be at the expense of rejecting the One who has
created us, nourished us and sent us to this world with a higher
and loftier objective than amassing wealth – and this objective
is recognizing and submitting to the One who Controls our lives
and all our affairs, and to whom is our inevitable return. So we
work towards achieving His Pleasure. In this manner, we secure our
salvation in the Hereafter, whereby we enter Paradise, God Willing
– and it is here that every desire will be fulfilled …
without any effort. So do not close your heart and mind towards
the truth, rather work to achieve the truth and you will find yourself
very rich within your heart and soul – and these riches cannot
be stolen like material possessions.
7.) May God guide you to this richness which is truly enviable and
which you too will consider the ultimate bounty, because you will
experience in your life, the treasures of both worlds.
“The clouds, the winds, the moon, the sun and
the sky are constantly at work,
So that you earn your living and do not eat in forgetfulness.
The whole creation is involved in working for you in obedience,
The law of justice will not be fulfilled if you fail to obey Allah.”
Was-Salaamu alaykum wa-Rahmatullahi wa-Barakaatuhu
Yunus Patel (Maulana) |
