Scene 1
It’s the end of the day, and you’ve been working tirelessly to meet a deadline. You’re exhausted, but just as you’re about to submit your work, a colleague walks up and criticizes your efforts in front of others, belittling the time and energy you’ve put in. The unfairness of it all hits you, and you can feel the anger rising. You’re on the verge of snapping, but you take a deep breath, realising that your reaction could either harm the situation or bring peace.
In the age of constant frustration, it’s harder to control anger, but it takes more strength to show patience and mercy. Ask yourself: would you prefer the pleasure and power that comes from dominating through rage or uphold others’ rights for Allah (SWT)’s pleasure?
Remember,
“The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength but the strong is one who controls himself while in anger” [Bukhari – 6114].
Always recite A’oodhu Billaahi min al-Shaytan ir-rajeem in a state of anger.
Scene 2
It’s the weekend, and you’re relaxing on your couch. Suddenly, your cell phone beeps with a Facebook notification that you open with dull curiosity, and you find another viral scandal. The dull afternoon is forgotten. You add your two cents to the news to share and relish the ensuing gossip, only to later find out that the scandal had been faked, and the person in question was being defamed.
Today is all about staying aware, being in the loop, and “staying with the trends”. We have access to all sorts of information and it’s easy to hit that share button without verifying things.
Remember,
“It is enough for a man to prove himself a liar when he goes on narrating whatever he hears” [Riyadh as-Salihin 1547].
In addition, Allah (SWT) mentions:
“O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful” [Quran 49:6]
Scene 3
There’s a flat 50% sale in a popular clothing brand. Excited, you get there exactly 10 minutes before opening hours, only to bump into a crowd of people already waiting. It’s 10 am, the door opens, and the crowd rushes in. Madness erupts in the store; shelves bare like the fields after a locust swarm. You brace yourself to fight for products that might never be stocked again. You shove, stomp your feet, and bicker over the dress that was yours because you saw it. At last, you leave the store feeling accomplished, despite the suffocation and discourteous crowd. You somehow manage to get the dress you had been eyeing for forever.
Every person has some needs and desires that need to be fulfilled. However, there’s a limit to everything. As Muslims, we shouldn’t let materialism control us to follow societal pressures. A true believer keeps their nafs in check.
Remember,
“The worldly life is nothing but an illusionary enjoyment.” [Quran 3:185].
In addition,
“O mankind, indeed the promise of Allāh is truth, so let not the worldly life delude you and be not deceived about Allāh by the Deceiver [i.e., Satan].” [Quran 35:5]
Scene 4
Running late, you disregard the speed limit only to be pulled over by a stern, probably minimal-wage traffic policeman. You offer the poor man some pocket money instead. The formalities are forgotten, the cop graciously accepts, and sends you off with a friendly wave. The system is just corrupt, there’s nothing you could have done. Everyone does it.
Giving or accepting an illegal pay-off, cheating, or any kind of deceitful act is condemned by Islam. Not only does it go against the faith of a Muslim but also becomes a reason for Allah (SWT)’s displeasure.
Remember,
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) cursed the one who bribes and the one who takes bribe.”
[Abi Dawood – 3580]
At times, such small moments make a huge impact on what we are collecting for our Akhirah. Islam means submission and we should follow it wholeheartedly in every part of our lives. May Allah (SWT) guide us all to the straight path. Ameen!
