Ramadan Diaries: De-Stressing From The Dunya: The Real Pursuit

Bismillah

A large, foolish majority lives like there is no tomorrow and that this world; this life and its material yaddi yaddi yadda, are the only pursuits to strive for. In the mad daily rush of mundane household chores and errands, the pressurizing weekly goals, monthly deadlines, annual commitments, and life goals we tend to forget that we are not here to stay and are accountable to Allah SWT on the Day of Judgement. We cast into oblivion, the fact, that the Hereafter is our permanent home and this world is simply an in-between stage of tests and trials. We can only be able to successfully de-stress from this world if we realize the two pursuits that we are really here for. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his progeny (salAllahu aleyhi wa'aleyhi wasallam (SAWW)) clearly prescribed two pursuits of this world:“Knowledge and worship in this world, and Paradise in the Hereafter.”Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3488

We are simply trapped in this state of fake glamour which is designed to test our character. As Prophet Muhammad SAWW said: "The world is a prison for the believer and Paradise for the disbeliever." Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2324

A prison is not supposed to be a place of permanent dwelling and the idea is to serve the sentence and exit peacefully for a better future. That's the real pursuit. 

Pursuit Of Knowledge

Knowledge refers to everything that there is to be learned by our Creator, Allah SWT. And while some conservative perspectives decode it to be just Islamic knowledge, the more and more complete definition is the comprehensive knowledge of the world and its sciences, and all Creations of Allah SWT. This learning includes the Qur'an, Hadith, and Sunnah as a basic core and then academic sciences that we go after because they are studies of Allah SWT and His Creation if you think about it. Biology is the study of life, Chemistry is of molecules and substances Allah SWT created and Man discovered, and engineer learns Phsyics which is Allah's forces and phenomenon at play to run the show, and the list is endless.

So it is important to make dua'a this Ramadan for Allah SWT to increase our knowledge and guide us to the right resources. Prophet Muhammad SAWW guided us and said: "Ask Allah for beneficial knowledge and seek refuge with Allah from knowledge that is of no benefit." Sunan Ibn Majah 3843. Our lives should be spent; therefore, in pursuit of the fundamental types of knowledge that would complete our existence as we transition into the next world from this world.

• Knowledge of the Qur'an: its pronunciation and meaning
• Knowledge of Hadith: the authentic narratives of Prophet Muhammad SAWW which complete religious understanding
• Knowledge of Sunnah: the righteous and perfect code of life as lived by Prophet Muhammad SAWW
• Knowledge of Fiqh: the right decision-making knowledge each Muslim should have to live the Halal way
• Knowledge of Islamic history: our golden heritage

Pursuit Of Worship

Worship also has a very broad meaning beyond the five times compulsory daily prayers (salah). Each act done to please the Creator is worship. If you bow your head, prostrate, and make dua'a that is worship. If you serve His people with kindness and love and bring humankind no harm, that; too, is worship. If you adhere to the teachings of the Qur'an, Hadith, and Sunnah, that is worship. And, if you control the evils within your psyche (nafs) that; too, is worship. This Ramadan, God Willing (insha'Allah) work towards de-stressing from the dunya by focusing on selfless, dedicated worship of Allah SWT. Focus on:

• Worshiping the Omnipotent, the Almighty, and none other but Allah - the God of Heavens and Earth
• Worship with sincere dua'a - the essence of worship
• Worship with belief that only Allah SWT can make trials easy upon you, and He definitely will
• Worship in the early hours of the day - Fajr
• Worship in the later hours of the night - Tahajjud
• Worship extra! - Nawafil

These two pursuits - knowledge and worship - are a fundamental part of strengthening our core and the work should begin now! May Allah SWT help us all focus our minds and soul towards the real pursuits and make us de-stress from the dunya so as to earn greater rewards for the Hereafter. Ameen.

Posted in: Anum Ali,Knowledge,Quest for Knowledge,Ramadan,Ramadan Diaries,Seeking Knowledge,Worship