Motivation for practicing Deen.

Motivation for practicing Deen.

Motivation for practicing Deen

You may be receiving bad comments from your loved ones for keeping a beard after returning to the path of religion; people are tagging you as a militant; you are getting the title of fundamentalism from the state; people may be calling you unsmart, unsusual, weak, etc. for wearing clothes on your ankles. People may be taunting you as Huzur for wearing a Punjabi hat. People in society may not care that way. What is more terrifying than that is being admitted to the assault case for following the path of religion, talking about religion, maybe going through a difficult time like a jail bed, and being in great trouble.

By following Mahram, non-Mahram, by being fully veiled, by making punctual prayer your companion, and by making it a habit to recite the Qur'an daily, you may be called a Huzurini. Wearing a burqa-hijab might be considered old-fashioned. You are being shunned at social functions. being mentally tortured by various toxic talks. And their own people may be the most advanced to do that work. Basically, the people around you are against you, as if they have become your poison.

Such extreme non-cooperation of people in the observance of religion is putting you in a lot of trouble. You are gasping at the harsh words of people. You feel like it would be better if you could leave this town and go somewhere where no one would comment on your beard, no one would sneer at your cap-punjabi, no one would talk snidely about veils, and above all, you are without. You can continue to be obedient to the Lord.

If you have accepted a very bad situation in the practice of religion, gasping at the pain of people, then the great Rabbul Alamin has set before you the example of some youths, among whom you have certainly not fallen into a more difficult situation. You will surely heave a sigh of relief when you learn about their dire situation while practicing religion. Then your position will feel somewhat comfortable. You will really be more motivated by their events.

Basically, when a suffering person learns of a case of a person who is suffering more than him, he does not feel his suffering anymore. He felt supreme happiness, knowing that he was in a much better position than that man. In the same way, when you come to know the facts about the deen of the Companions of the Kahaf as described in the Qur'an, the hardship you are facing for the same reason will no longer be a hardship. You will get inspiration from them—great inspiration that will help you in your religion.

 

Now we focus a little on the incident involving Ashab Kahaf.

 A number of youths in whose time everyone, from their own people to the ruler, had abandoned the monotheism of Allah and indulged in horrible practices They did not stop there. They wanted others like them to turn away from the worship of one God and join Shirk. But the youth did not accept it at all. They were adamant about the monotheism of Allah. When they realized that they would either be forced into idolatry or killed, they all came up with a different plan.

Basically, the youth do not want to lose their faith and lives. They want to live, but not by losing their faith; they want to live with their faith. As everyone wanted to go against Deen, these two fears sat in their heads. One day they took these two fears and took refuge in a cave known as the Companions Kahf. Do you know what they prayed to Allah for when they went there? They made such a meaningful dua that Allah has kept alive for us in the Qur'an. Subhan'Allah! Their precious prayer is,

رَبَّنَاۤ اٰتِنَا مِنْ لَّدُنْكَ رَحجمَۃً وَّ هَیِّیٴۡ لَنَا مِنْ اَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا

Meaning: O our Lord, bestow mercy on us from You alone; show us the right path to perform our deeds.

(Surah Al Kahf, verse no. 10)

 

After encountering various difficulties in the practice of religion, have we ever said in the Lord's court, O my Lord! Today, while following your order, maintaining your satisfaction, and being loyal to you, I am getting the name of militant in the face of people. People are abusing me for fundamentalism, ignoring me, and avoiding me. even suspecting that I am working for a communal party and even slandering me, which hurts my innocent heart. Gosh, I don't mean to complain. Because I know very well that none of these things escape your notice. I'm just saying that you make everything easy for me. Protect me from all obstacles that come in the way of your obedience. Always cover me with your protection and mercy. You are the only one I can talk to. You are my only protector. You are my only helper, O Lord.

 

Now take a look—

how many wishes are hidden in that prayer of the youth? At least the choice of words says so. Basically, they want to say that he is our Lord! Today we are standing in the face of great danger while observing religion. In this situation, have mercy on us and protect our faith and lives. Give us security. Do whatever is necessary to save faith and life. Ya Parwardigar! Grant us Tawfiq in this difficult time of life to walk in such a way that we do not engage in shirk activities like idolatry, in such a way that we do not lose our way, in such a way that we do not wrong ourselves, and above all, to avoid facing Your terrible punishment.

Allah Subahana wa Ta'ala immediately accepted the prayers they made from their hearts with trust in Allah. Allah Subahana wa Ta'ala saved both their faith and their lives from the oppressors of that time. They didn't realize that Allah made them pass hundreds of years in a blink of an eye with just one little sleep. Subhan'Allah!

The lesson to be learned from here is that if we ever face direct or indirect obstacles while obeying Allah's orders, practicing our religion, or accepting someone's oblique comments, then we should put our trust in Allah like those young people and present our requests to Allah. Always try to stay connected. Surely Allah will accept our prayers like those of those youths. In the end, Allah will protect us like the youth. Make all arrangements to move safely.