24 HOURS IN THE LIFE OF A
MUSLIM ACCORDING TO THE TEACHINGS OF THE QUR'AN
Waking up in the morning
One of the basic differences between Muslims who live their
lives according to the teachings of the Qur'an and those people
who reject Allah is this: the wisdom Allah gives to those
who use their conscience and stand in awe of the glory of
Allah. (For a detailed discussion see Harun Yahya's True
Wisdom Described in The Qur'an) Because of their wisdom,
believers are immediately aware of the reason behind events
that godless people and those unable to grasp the truth regard
as meaningless happenstance.
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From the moment a believer wakes up in the morning, he knows
that there is (as Allah calls them in the Qur'an), a "sign"
in every experience he has in the course of a day. The word
"sign" is given to those events in existence that are clear
proofs of the existence, unity and the attributes of Allah-and
it is also the name for a verse of the Qur'an. Another idea
similar in meaning is "the facts that lead to faith." This
may be defined as those facts that bring a person to faith,
and at the same time cause faith to grow, develop and become
strong. But only those who sincerely turn to Allah can recognise
these "signs" and facts that lead to faith. The 190th verse
of Surah Al 'Imran is an example of this:
In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation
of night and day, there are Signs for people with intelligence.
(Surah Al 'Imran: 190)
For those who have faith and live by the teachings of the
Qur'an, every new day is full of proofs of Allah's existence
and facts leading to faith. For example, to open one's eyes
and start the day is one of Allah's blessings to humanity
and one of the facts leading to faith that needs to be pondered.
This is because a person is unconscious throughout the night
and all he can remember from those long hours of sleep are
some indistinct dreams that last 3-5 seconds. During this
time, a person is asleep with no connection to this world.
His body and his spirit part company, and this time, during
which he thinks he is sleeping, is actually a kind of death.
Allah reveals in the Qur'an that human selves are taken while
they are asleep.
Allah takes back people's selves when their death arrives
and those who have not yet died, while they are asleep. He
keeps hold of those whose death has been decreed and sends
the others back for a specified term… (Surat az-Zumar: 42)
It is He Who takes you back to Himself at night, while knowing
the things you perpetrate by day, and then wakes you up again,
so that a specified term may be fulfilled. (Surat al-An'am:
60)
In these verses, Allah says that human selves are taken during
sleep, but are given back again until the determined hour
of death comes. While asleep, a person partly loses consciousness
of the outside world. To awake from the "death" of sleep to
consciousness and the same condition as the day before, and
to be able to see, hear and feel perfectly well is a miracle
that we should consider. A person who goes to bed at night
cannot be certain that these incomparable blessings will be
given to him again in the morning. And we can never be sure
if we will meet with some kind of disaster or wake up in a
healthy state.
A believer starting a new day thinks about these facts and
thanks Allah for covering him with His great mercy and protection.
He looks at the new day as an opportunity given him by Allah
to win His pleasure and gain Paradise. The moment he opens
his eyes in the morning of the early dawn, he directs his
thoughts to Allah and begins the day with a sincere prayer,
the dawn prayer of Islam.
During the day, he acts with the knowledge that Allah is
always watching him, and is careful to win His approval by
obeying His commands and counsel. He established a close bond
with Allah and began the day with the dawn prayer. In this
way, the likelihood that he will forget Allah's good pleasure
during the day or ignore His limits is small; he will behave
throughout the day with the knowledge that Allah is testing
him in this world.
Someone who sincerely directs his thoughts to Allah will
be helped to see that he must think carefully about the blessings
he has been given and that no one other than Allah has the
power to give them to him. In the Qur'an, our Lord says that
people must ponder this matter:
Say: "What do you think? If Allah took away your hearing
and your sight and sealed up your hearts, what god is there,
other than Allah, who could give them back to you?" (Surat
al-An'am: 46)
Certainly it is the Almighty and All-Knowing Allah Who makes
sleep a time of rest for human beings and restores His blessings
to them in the morning. Those who know this feel Allah's proximity
from the moment they begin their day and are pleased with
the incomparable blessings they enjoy.
Those who reject religion and refuse to consider this reality
can never be fully aware of the blessings they have or know
the joy that believers experience. Generally, early in the
morning, they find it difficult to get out of a warm bed and
are stressed by the anxiety of having to get into step with
the new day. Some are anxious and depressed because of the
things they have to do every morning. They don't want to get
out of bed; there is a struggle in their minds between getting
up and having one more minute of sleep. An often encountered
moral failing in these kinds of people is that they are irritable,
stressed and glum when they wake up.
Godless people cannot enjoy the pleasure of Allah's blessings;
from the moment they wake up in the morning they return to
the monotony of doing the same things every day. There is
another kind of person who is unaware that the new day may
be the last opportunity Allah has given him: he prepares himself
quickly to start his day avid to make more money, to show
off to others with his possessions or appearance, to attract
the attention of others and be liked.
Those who ignore the facts that Allah has revealed in the
Qur'an may start their day in their own ways, but there is
a common lack of wisdom in the way they behave: they do not
consider that Allah created them, that they are responsible
for serving Him and winning His approval and that the new
day before them may be the last opportunity they have to fulfil
their duty towards Him. Allah reveals their condition in these
words:
Mankind's Reckoning has drawn very close to them, yet they
heedlessly turn away. (Surat al-Anbiya': 1)
It is clear that those who live immersed in this great error
have made a huge mistake. One must not forget that every morning
may be the beginning of the last day allotted to one's earthly
life. Death may come at any moment, because of a traffic accident,
an unexpected disease or any one of countless other causes.
In that case, as we said above, we must think about what we
have to do to spend the day before us so as to win Allah's
approval.
Cleaning
There are some reasons for the changes that happen to your
body when you wake up in the morning. Your face swells, your
hair is dirty, your body has an unpleasant odour and there
is an unwelcome taste in your mouth. The swollen face you
see in the mirror and your unkempt appearance show you just
how dependent you are. Everyone must wash their face in the
morning, brush their teeth and groom himself or herself. This
reminds someone who has espoused the teaching of the Qur'an
that in this he is no different from other people, and that
only Allah has no imperfections.
Moreover, when someone who sincerely turns to Allah looks
in the mirror and feels uncomfortable at what he sees, he
understands better that he cannot possess anything of beauty
by the power of his own will.
It can be seen that Allah has created in His slaves some
imperfections to remind them of their dependence on Him. The
fact that a person's body and environment become dirty within
a short time is an example of this. But Allah has shown people
how to overcome these imperfections and has made blessings
such as soap and detergent available to us. Allah shows this
to us in the Qur'an:
For truly with hardship comes ease; truly with hardship comes
ease. (Surat al-Inshirah: 5-6)
The ability to notice this secret of the creation of blessings
and to give thanks for them to Allah belongs only to believers
endowed with understanding.
While a believer cleans himself, in the morning or in the
course of the day, he gives thanks that Allah has provided
the materials with which to do it. Because he knows that Allah
loves cleanliness and clean people, he sees washing himself
as an act of worship and hopes to gain His pleasure. He gladly
obeys what Allah has commanded in verses 4 and 5 of Surat
al-Muddaththir:
Purify your clothes. Shun all filth. (Surat al-Muddaththir:
4-5)
In the following verse revealed about events during the battle
of Badr, Allah says that He sends down water from the heavens
for people to clean themselves and for their other needs.
And when He overcame you with sleep, making you feel secure,
and sent you down water from heaven to purify you and remove
the taint of Shaytan from you, and to fortify your hearts
and make your feet firm. (Surat al-Anfal: 11)
Water is the basic requirement needed for people to clean
their bodies, their possessions and their houses. Besides
being able to clean visible dirt and invisible bacteria, water
also has the ability to help one relax. When water pours over
the body, it can disperse the static electricity that makes
people fatigued and out of sorts. We can't see the static
electricity produced on our bodies, but it sometimes makes
itself noticeable by a crackling sound when we take off our
sweaters, a mild electric shock when we touch something or
by the movement of our hair. When we wash ourselves, we rid
ourselves of this accumulation of static electricity and our
bodies feel light and comfortable as a result. The freshness
of the air after rain has fallen also comes from the fact
that water has cleaned the air of static electricity.
Allah is pleased when people are clean and well-groomed.
This can be seen in a few verses in the Qur'an that allude
to the physical cleanliness of people in the Garden.
Allah says that "… there will be youths
like hidden pearls." (Surat at-Tur: 24), and in other verses
Allah says that there are "purified wives" for those in the
Garden. (Surat al-Baqara: 25; Surah Al 'Imran: 15; Surat an-Nisa':
57)
Some people give importance to being well-groomed only when
they are with others or when they have to make themselves
liked; they don't care about their appearance and their cleanliness
when they are not in the presence of others. To find it normal
to go around the house until evening unwashed with a dirty
face and bad breath, ungroomed, with the bed unmade and untidy
room is the result of faulty reasoning.
However, Allah urges Muslims to make the best and cleanest
environments for themselves and commands everyone to maintain
the utmost cleanliness in everything from food and clothing
to the places in which they live.
Mankind! Eat what is good and lawful on the earth. (Surat
al-Baqara: 168)
They will ask you what is lawful for them. Say: "All good
things are lawful for you…" (Surat al-Ma'ida: 4)
… (The Prophet) commanding them to do right
and forbidding them to do wrong, making good things lawful
for them and bad things unlawful for them… (Surat al-A'raf:
157)
And when We made the House a place of return,
a sanctuary for mankind: They took the Maqam of Ibrahim as
a place of prayer. We contracted with Ibrahim and Isma'il:
"Purify My House for those who circle it, and those who stay
there, and those who bow and who prostrate." (Surat al-Baqara:
125)
They replied, "We have been here for a day
or part of a day." They said, "Your Lord knows best how long
you have been here. Send one of your number into the city
with this silver you have, so he can see which food is purest
and bring you some of it to eat." (Surat al-Kahf: 19)
And tenderness and purity from Us, he (Yahya)
had taqwa (i.e., consciousness of Allah that leads one to
obey Him and not disobey Him). (Surah Maryam: 13)
While the lifestyle of ignorant people leads them to make
uncomfortable and unhealthy environments to live in with their
own hands, Muslims, in conformity with the teachings of the
Qur'an, live a good life in this world. Ignorant people create
environments that are troublesome both for themselves and
those around them, while Muslims lead their lives in healthy,
invigorating places where everyone can live in comfort and
peace of mind.
In short, in conformity with the teachings of the Qur'an,
believers will be clean and well-groomed, not for the sake
of other people, but because this is what Allah likes and,
naturally, because this is what feels most comfortable. By
cleaning the place where they live, they feel a great deal
of pleasure from creating an environment in which other people
feel comfortable; in the matter of cleanliness they don't
show the least laxity and they always do everything in their
power to be clean and well-groomed.
Dressing
While a believer decides on what clothes he is going to wear
during the day and gets dressed, he is aware of an important
fact: that clothing is one of Allah's countless blessings
and there is good reason for its existence. Everyone benefits
from this blessing, but only a Muslim who lives according
to the teaching of the Qur'an properly appreciates that beautiful
clothing is a mercy from Allah and thanks Him for it. Clothing
immediately reminds the believer that living things are the
source of wool, cotton and silk clothing. The articles of
clothing we use, almost every moment of our lives, are obtained
from plants and animals that are wonders of creation. In other
words, if Allah had not created some living things with the
ability to provide human beings with every kind of clothing
from the most basic to the most luxurious, these raw materials
would not exist.
Despite the fact that they know this, some people either
ignore it or, because of the error of their ways, don't appreciate
the blessings they have. Because they were given the clothes
they need from the minute they were born, dressing has become
a habit for them. This habit prevents them from realising
that their clothing is a blessing and from giving thanks for
it. But one of the reasons why our Lord created blessings
in this word is that human beings would thank Him for them.
So, let's examine the reasons why Allah created clothing for
us beginning with the benefits it provides us.
Clothing is like a shield that protects the human body from
cold, the dangerous rays of the sun and minor dangers such
as cuts and bruises from our environment. If we didn't have
clothing, the thin skin that covers the human body would often
be injured by these kinds of small accidents. They are painful,
a threat to health and the skin could take on a very bad appearance.
Our Lord in the Qur'an reveals another reason behind the
creation of protective clothing:
Children of Adam! We have sent down clothing to you to conceal
your private parts, and fine apparel. (Surat al-A'raf: 26)
As this verse point out, clothing gives human beings a much
better appearance aesthetically.
It is clear that clothing is an indispensable need and an
extremely important blessing that Allah has provided for our
use. A believer who is aware of this will be very careful
and fastidious in the use of his clothing, and this will be
an indication that he is truly thankful to Allah for the blessings
he has been given.
Another quality given to the believer from the values taught
by the Qur'an is moderation in spending money and this applies
also when buying clothing. He buys items that he needs, that
suit him and are sensible. He does not waste money in needless
spending. The following verse brings out this fact:
Those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor mean,
but take a stance mid way between the two. (Surat al-Furqan:
67)
The care with which a person living according to the teachings
of the Qur'an dresses is not limited to this. For example,
besides dressing in clean clothes, a believer with a sense
of values will be careful to dress as well and as suitably
for the occasion as possible. As the Qur'an shows, clothing
is pleasing to the eye (Surat al-A'raf: 26). There are examples
of how our Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,
dressed and his recommendations on this matter in the sayings
that have come down to us:
"Eat what you like, and wear what you like provided that
it is free from two things: extravagance and vainglory." (Maulana
Muhammad Manzoor No'mani, Ma'ariful Hadith)
And here is another bit of information that has come down
to us about how our Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant
him peace, dressed:
Whenever a delegation came to meet
the Messenger of Allah, he would wear his best clothes and
order his leading Companions to do likewise." (Tabaqat Hadith,
Volume 4, Number 346)
When one of his companions gave no importance to his appearance
and seemed unkempt, our Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant
him peace, warned him immediately. An example of this has
been passed down to us:
"The Messenger of Allah was in the mosque, when a man with
unkempt hair and an untidy beard came in. The Prophet (saas)
pointed to him, as if indicating to him that he should tidy
up his hair and beard. The man went and did so, then returned.
The Prophet (saas) said, 'Is this not better than that any
one of you should come with unkempt hair?'" (Malik's Muwatta,
Volume 2, Number 949)
In the Qur'an, Allah says that clothing and adornments will
be among the finest blessings of the Garden. Some of them
are mentioned in the following verses:
But Allah will admit those who believe and
do right actions into Gardens with rivers flowing under them
where they will be adorned with gold bracelets and pearls,
and where their clothing will be of silk. (Surat al-Hajj:
23)
Wearing fine silk and rich brocade, face
to face with one another. (Surat ad-Dukhan: 53)
They will wear green garments of fine silk
and rich brocade. They will be adorned with silver bracelets…
(Surat al-Insan: 21)
In these verses, our Lord speaks of robes of silk and rich
brocade, and adornments made of gold, silver and pearls. The
adornments we have in this world are similar to those in the
Garden, and for a person of faith, seeing these adornments-whether
he possesses any or not-is a means that leads him to contemplate
the Garden and desire even more to go there. A believer sees
the purpose of these things in creation and realises that
all the blessings of this world are transitory. The only real
blessings and those that will last forever are in the afterlife.
But as for those who believe and do right actions, We will
not let the wage of good-doers go to waste. They will have
Gardens of Eden with rivers flowing under them. They will
be adorned in them with bracelets made of gold and wear green
garments made of the finest silk and rich brocade, reclining
there on couches under canopies. What an excellent reward!
What a wonderful repose! (Surat al-Kahf: 30-31)
One of the things a person living according to the teachings
of the Qur'an and the Sunnah must consider about clothing
is that outer appearance is very important when establishing
relationships with other people. For this reason, a believer
will give even more attention to what he wears when he invites
people to accept the deen (religion) of the Qur'an. He will
be as eager as possible to dress in clean clothes that are
modest and suitable for him. This shows that he has a devout
regard for the commands of Allah and respect for other people.
Only those who live according to the teachings of the Qur'an
are as considerate of a person's psychological state and careful
to be as effective as possible in telling that person about
eternal salvation as they are meticulous about what they wear.
In conclusion, a person of faith, taking our Prophet, may
Allah bless him and grant him peace, as his example, always
goes about in clean, well cared-for and attractive clothes;
he or she takes pleasure in this and by it hopes to win Allah's
approval.
Breakfast
Every believer to whom Allah has given the ability to think
and understand knows when he goes into the kitchen to make
breakfast in the morning that all the blessings of food and
drink given in creation are facts leading to faith.
For example, the fire he uses to cook his food can cause
a great deal of harm to him as well as to many other things;
it also has the ability to destroy. But heat is a requirement
for making food edible and from this point of view it is a
very great blessing. In other words, like everything else
on the earth, fire has been put at the service of human beings.
In the Qur'an, Allah says,
And He has made everything in the heavens and everything
on the earth subservient to you. (Surat al-Jathiyya: 13)
Besides this, fire is a reminder for the believer in this
life of the pains of the Fire. In describing in the Qur'an
those who will go to Hell, Allah mentions a violent fire.
In a few verses, He describes the pains of the fire He has
created for those who reject Him:
On the Day they are tormented by the Fire. (Surat adh-Dhariyat:
13)
The Fire will sear their faces, making them
grimace horribly in it, their lips drawn back from their teeth.
(Surat al-Muminun: 104)
Whoever does not believe in Allah and His
Messenger, We have prepared a Blazing Fire for the disbelievers.
(Surat al-Fath: 13)
When believers with a profound faith think of this raging
fire of Hell, their fear of Allah grows, they pray to Him
and take refuge in Him from the Hellfire. In this way very
small everyday things serve as reminders of major matters,
and this is a very important part of the practice of the believer.
A person who thinks sincerely and without prejudice about the
food we eat for breakfast will find many reminders in it. The
taste and smell of bread, honey, cheese, tomatoes, tea and fruitjuice,
their food value and various colours are all blessings. They
all provide the proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, fats,
vitamins, minerals and fluids that the body needs. To live a
healthy life, we have to be regularly and properly nourished,
but this is not a difficult chore for us; it's something we
enjoy. Fruits, vegetables, cereals, and pasta meet a person's
every need for nourishment and also give him a lot of pleasure.
Actually, all that we have mentioned are really small items
that everyone knows very well and has lived intimately with
every 24 hours since he was born. But most people don't consider
these things correctly that our Lord has given for our daily
use. They take them all for granted and don't realise just
how valuable they are.
But all this delicious food and drink has the ability to
provide various benefits to the human body, and each of them
is a wonder of creation. For example, a bee weighing only
a few grams produces honey. Both because of the vitamins and
minerals it contains and the structural characteristics it
has, honey means health and healing for human beings. In the
Qur'an Allah says that He inspired this quality of honey and
the physical work of the honeybee:
Your Lord revealed to the bees: "Build dwellings in the mountains
and the trees, and also in the structures which men erect.
Then eat from every kind of fruit and travel the paths of
your Lord, which have been made easy for you to follow." From
inside them comes a drink of varying colours, containing healing
for mankind. There is certainly a Sign in that for people
who reflect. (Surat an-Nahl: 68-69)
A believer who considers the production of honey becomes
aware of the miracle of creation that it contains. He immediately
understands that neither the blossoms of fruit trees, which
provide the basic raw material for honey, and whose nectar
the bees turn into honey, nor the wonderful honey itself,
could happen by chance. And this brings him closer to Allah.
In addition, the absolute obedience of a tiny bee to our
Lord is another fact leading to faith. The believer will understand
that it is by Allah's inspiration that the honeybee, with
neither intelligence nor consciousness as we understand them,
works unceasingly and with perfect discipline to perform its
wonderful functions.
The importance of the meat, milk, cheese, and other animal
products as blessings for humanity from Allah is announced
in the Qur'an:
And there is certainly a lesson for you in your livestock.
We give you to drink from what is in their bellies and there
are many ways in which you benefit from them, and some of
them you eat. (Surat al-Muminun: 21)
And there is mention of "what is in their bellies", while
informing us of the benefits we get from animals. For example,
there is something left over in the digestive process from
the food a cow has eaten, the water it has drunk, the blood
circulating in its veins and its internal organs. It is indeed
a miracle that a sweet-smelling, clean, white mixture like
milk that is so beneficial to human health could come from
such a complex mixture. Besides this, it is produced in the
healthiest conditions despite the fact that it is located
in an area containing waste material.
Another indication of Allah's supreme knowledge is the fact
that the only raw material that goes into making white milk
is green grass. But milk-producing animals create a white
liquid from a stiff, green material thanks to a wonderful
system that Allah has created in their bodies. In the Qur'an,
our Lord tells us what milk is made of:
There is instruction for you in cattle. From the contents
of their bellies, from between the dung and blood, We give
you pure milk to drink, easy for drinkers to swallow. (Surat
an-Nahl: 66)
As we know, milk is a very rich food containing several materials
that the human body needs; it is a liquid that plays a vital
role in the nourishment of both children and adults.
Another food that comes from animals, small in itself but
with high nutritional value, is the egg. The formation of
this storehouse of proteins, vitamins and minerals is another
miracle. A chicken with little awareness produces eggs every
day and protects the eggs it has produced with a wonderful
wrapping. To consider how an eggshell is so wonderfully formed
around the fluid inside it or how the fluid has been placed
inside the shell although it has no cover, increases the wonder
that a believer feels at the creative artistry of Allah.
Various drinks, which some consider indispensable for breakfast,
come from plants. After the leaves of these plants have been
put through certain processes, they become sweet-smelling
liquids. The thousands of other kinds of plants that grow
in the same soil display the endless power, knowledge and
mercy of Allah Who created them. As our Lord says in the Qur'an:
It is He Who produces gardens, both cultivated and wild,
and palm-trees and crops of diverse kinds, and olives and
pomegranates, both similar and dissimilar… (Surat al-An`am:
141)
Allah gives us countless blessings that He has created for
us to eat. He tests human beings in this earthly life with
wealth and poverty, He is pleased with those who display fine
moral qualities when confronted by these tests and He reveals
in the Qur'an that they will receive the endless blessings
of the Garden. For example, some people eat a fine breakfast
while others have only a few bits of food. But a believer,
whether or not he is prosperous, will always behave in a manner
so as to win Allah's approval and will give thanks to Him
with all sincerity. If he is rich, he will not boast or become
arrogant. If he is poor, he will not feel anxious or sorry
for himself.
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A believer is aware that Allah is putting him through a test and that everything
in this life is transitory. The Qur'an says that Allah will test human beings
with good and evil. "We test you with both good and evil
as a trial. And you will be returned to Us." (Surat al-Anbiya': 35) For
this reason, a person who lives according to the teachings of the Qur'an knows
that it is not the blessings that he has received but his attitude towards those
blessings that will win him a reward in Allah's sight. Even if he is not prosperous,
a believer will sincerely give thanks to Allah. In the Qur'an, Allah reveals that
He will increase the blessings of those who give thanks with sincerity and determination
and reminds the ungrateful that the pains of Hell are terrible:
And when your Lord announced: "If you are grateful, I will
certainly give you increase, but if you are ungrateful, My
punishment is severe." (Surah Ibrahim: 7)
Someone who considers the proofs of the perfect creation
around him, as well as the reasons for food, will also see
the divine intentions in the structure and working of the
mouth created to eat these things easily. In order for a human
being to eat, his food, his lips, teeth, tongue, jaw, saliva
glands and millions of cells work together in perfect harmony.
This is all perfectly orchestrated such that several functions
can be performed at the same time without a hitch. The teeth
bite the food into pieces and the tongue continually pushes
it between the teeth to be chewed. With its strong muscles,
the jaw helps the teeth to chew while the eater moves the
tongue in an appropriate manner. The lips act as a securely
closed door to prevent food from falling out of the mouth.
Besides this, the parts that make up these organs work together
in perfect harmony. For example, the teeth, according to their
location and structure, bite the food into pieces and chew
it. All the teeth are ordered and arranged in their places
according to their function; every one of them grows and stays
a certain length in order to work cooperatively with the tooth
opposite it. Certainly these organs have no consciousness
or intelligence; they cannot decide among themselves to cooperate
with one another. And the excellent organisation briefly described
above cannot come about randomly. Every part is made exactly
as required to achieve a certain goal. There is no doubt that
this marvellous design is from our Lord Who "created everything
and determined it most exactly." (Surat al-Furqan: 2). Allah
has created all of these things in order to make it easy for
human beings to eat their food and take benefit and pleasure
from it.
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Another important thing on which a believer reflects is the
fact that he can perceive the smells of the food in the kitchen
and can taste it without any effort. This is possible because
of the wonderful faculties he has. His sense of taste and
smell, which do not cease throughout his life, work perfectly
for him at no cost; they have taken no training to work so
effectively and are themselves unconscious of their workings.
If a person did not have his sense of taste, the various
tastes of meat, fish, vegetables, soups, salads, fruits, drinks,
and jams would have no meaning for him. Besides, the taste
of these things might not be good; they might be tasteless,
insipid and unpleasant and upset the stomach. There is no
doubt that tastes and the faculty that perceives them have
been specially created for human beings. It would be a big
mistake to be unaware of this because of the insensitivity
created by habit. The Qur'an reveals that Allah created good
and clean food for human beings:
It is Allah Who made the earth a stable home for you and
the sky a dome, and formed you, giving you the best of forms,
and provided you with good and wholesome things. That is Allah,
your Lord. Blessed be Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. (Surah
Ghafir: 64)
Surely, for thinking people every taste is a means to appreciate
Allah properly, remember Him with gratitude, to praise Him
and give Him thanks. The believer who knows that every delicious
type of food and drink comes from Allah; he thinks about this
every time he sits down at the table and so he gives thanks
to our Lord. Allah says in the Qur'an:
A Sign for them is the dead land which We
bring to life and from which We bring forth grain of which
they eat. We place in it gardens of dates and grapes, and
cause springs to gush out in it, so they may eat its fruits-they
did not do it themselves. So will they not be thankful? (Surah
Ya Sin: 33-35)
Have they not seen how We created for them,
by Our own handiwork, livestock which are under their control?
We have made them tame for them and some they ride and some
they eat. And they have other uses for them, and milk to drink.
So will they not be thankful? (Surah Ya Sin: 71-73)
Some people do not think it is important to reflect on a
few extremely important facts even though they have consumed
deliciously tasting and smelling foods that have met their
needs perfectly throughout their whole lives. They ignore
the fact that Allah has created these incomparable blessings
for them and that they ought to thank Him for providing them.
This is quite the wrong attitude; they should not forget that
they will be asked in the afterlife whether or not they had
been thankful to Allah.
A believer is aware that Allah has given him his body as
a trust, that he is responsible for looking after this incomparable
blessing as best as he can and for this he must nourish it
in a healthy way. He knows that in order to perform good works
it must be healthy and so it must be sufficiently nourished
with a balanced diet. He knows his body must have all the
food it needs for the development of its 100 trillion cells
and in order for it to renew itself and function properly.
So, either for breakfast or at other times of the day he will
eat healthy and natural foods and avoid harmful foods no matter
how attractive and delicious they appear. He will not be lazy
or careless in this regard. For example, he knows that the
functioning of his organs, his body's ability to cleanse itself
from toxic material and its capacity to overcome fatigue and
tiredness all depend on water (which many people neglect to
drink regularly) and he will be careful to drink enough of
it in the course of the day. Our Prophet, may Allah bless
him and grant him peace, draws attention in several places
to the importance of water.
For example, during a trip he sat down somewhere and asked
for water from those beside him. After he had washed his hands
and face and drunk some water he said to his companions: "Pour
some of its water on your faces and chests." (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Our Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said
after drinking water:
"All praise is due to Allah Who has made it delicious and
sweet by His grace and has not made it either salty or unsavoury."
(Imam Ghazali's Ihya Ulum ad-Din)
On The Way
People who have finished their breakfast and made themselves
ready expect to have various challenges in their work places,
schools and other areas. Most people have things they need
to accomplish before the end of the day. Allah describes this
situation in the Qur'an:
In the daytime much of your time is taken
up by business matters. (Surat al-Muzzammil: 7)
… He made the day a time for rising. (Surat
al-Furqan: 47)
A believer sees the day before him as an opportunity to win
Allah's love and approval and to attain the Garden for which
he needs to strive to do good works. No matter how busy he
is, he is careful never to forget to seek Allah's approval.
He takes as his example Sulayman (as)'s prayer, as recounted
in the 19th verse of Surat an-Naml, desiring that our Lord
will inspire him in the things he will do in the course of
the day:
"My Lord, keep me thankful for the blessing
You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and keep me acting
rightly, pleasing You, and admit me, by Your mercy, among
Your slaves who are right-acting." (Surat an-Naml: 19)
Everyone who leaves home on the way to school
or work encounters many people, things and events to think
about. Everything a person sees exists in Allah's knowledge
and has come to be by His will and happens for a definite
reason. So, when a believer looks up at the heavens with this
in mind, he sees that they are marvellously created. He understands
that the truth of the following verse is before his eyes:
"We made the sky a preserved and protected roof …" (Surat
al-Anbiya': 32)
The sky's function as a "protected roof" comes from its atmosphere
and this atmosphere surrounds the globe and performs its vital
functions so that human beings survive. The atmosphere filters
out rays that come from space and are dangerous for living
things; it vaporises both large and small meteorites that
approach the earth and prevents them from threatening the
world and the creatures on it, and it protects the earth from
the freezing temperatures-approximately minus 270 degrees
Celsius-of space. Even if some people do not appreciate this
as they should, Allah has created an ideal environment for
us and protects us from threats that may come from the heavens.
In the Qur'an, Allah reveals that a believer who observes
the heaven will quickly understand the proofs that it is a
most harmonious and perfect creation.
He Who created the seven heavens in layers. You will not
find any flaw in the creation of the All-Merciful. Look again-do
you see any gaps? Then look again and again. Your sight will
return to you dazzled and exhausted! (Surat al-Mulk: 3-4)
Allah says in the Qur'an that there are signs in the creation
of the heavens and the earth for those who observe them with
faith.
Have they not looked at the sky above them: how We structured
it and made it beautiful and how there are no fissures in
it? And the earth: how We stretched it out and cast firmly
embedded mountains onto it and caused luxuriant plants of
every kind to grow in it, an instruction and a reminder for
every penitent human being. (Surah Qaf: 6-8)
We made the sky
a preserved and protected roof yet still they turn away
from Our Signs. (Surat al-Anbiya':32)
It is He Who created everything on the earth for you
and then directed His attention up to heaven and arranged
it into seven regular heavens. He has knowledge of all
things. (Surat al-Baqara:29) |
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A believer who turns his gaze from the heavens to the earth
will see another proof of its creation. Below the earth on
which he walks with such confidence there is a layer of unbelievably
hot molten rock called "magma". In comparison to this, the
earth's crust is very thin, which means that this molten rock
is almost under one's feet. So, the thickness of the earth's
crust compared with that of the earth itself can be compared
to the thickness of apple peel compared with the whole apple.
A believer who considers these matters will understand once
again that the world and all living things on it exist because
of the perfect balance that Allah has created according to
His will, and that every creature continues to live in safety
and security because of the will of Allah.
A believer who looks with the eye of reflection will notice
the beauty around him and the wonders of creation. For example,
because they are blessings from Allah, the birds in the sky,
the fruits that decorate a grocer's shop-window with their
attractive colours, and the wonderful smell coming from a
bakery mean something to a believer that other people cannot
grasp.
A believer who ponders the varied and countless proofs he encounters while
walking in the street will also be careful about how he behaves. For example,
he will walk without exaggeration or display because Allah announces in a verse:
"Be moderate in your tread…" (Surah Luqman: 19) A
humble person obeys the command of Allah and, as in all his other activities,
maintains a middle road in the way he walks. This is acceptable both in the sight
of Allah and in the eyes of believers.
Believers know that Allah created human beings and endows
them with all their characteristics. But those who don't follow
the teachings of the Qur'an don't appreciate this fact and
think that the qualities they have are their own. These people
who think that their beauty, wealth, knowledge and success
belong to themselves become proud and arrogant. And because
of this arrogance, they want to show their own superiority
by crushing others. This attitude is reflected in the way
they walk as it is in what they say and do. However, everyone
is powerless before the supreme knowledge and power of Allah
and we need Allah every moment of our lives. In the Qur'an,
Allah warns us about this and forbids us to boast:
Do not avert your face from people out of
haughtiness and do not strut about arrogantly on the earth.
Allah does not love anyone who is vain or boastful. (Surah
Luqman: 18)
Do not strut arrogantly about the earth.
You will certainly never split the earth apart nor will you
ever rival the mountains in height. (Surat al-Isra': 37)
Everyone who lives according to the teaching of the Qur'an
is aware that he is powerless, that he lives according to
Allah's will, and that it is the sole Lord of the universe
Who has given him everything he owns. And because he lives
with this awareness, he understands everything that happens
around him in terms of the Qur'an.
It is clear that a person cannot cover a lot of distance
walking in a day. It is easy to walk short distances, and
the ability to walk is a great blessing from Allah. But people
can't travel great distances by walking; their bodies becomes
tired at some point and they can't walk any farther. Allah
knows this weakness of His slaves and has created animals
and vehicles to carry them and has made transportation easy.
Here are some verses from the Qur'an related to this great
blessing of Allah that show His grace, mercy and compassion
towards His slaves:
They (livestock) carry your loads to lands
you would never reach except with great difficulty. Your Lord
is All-Gentle, Most Merciful. And horses, mules and donkeys
both to ride and for adornment. And He creates other things
you do not know. (Surat an-Nahl: 7-8)
It is He Who created all the species and
gave you ships and livestock for you to ride. (Surat az-Zukhruf:
12)
Do you not see that Allah has made everything
on the earth subservient to you and the ships running upon
the sea by His command? He holds back the heaven, preventing
it from falling to the earth-except by His permission. Allah
is All-Compassionate to mankind, Most Merciful. (Surat al-Hajj:
65)
By the use of our intellects it is obvious to us that Allah
created materials such as iron and steel with certain capabilities
and inspired people to use them to make different kinds of
vehicles. And it is by Allah's will that people made vehicles
such as cars, busses, trains, ships and airplanes. So Allah
made it easy for us to go on journeys we could never make
by ourselves. What we must do in response to these blessings
is to remember Allah when we board these vehicles, praise
His name and give Him thanks. Allah tells us of this in the
Qur'an:
So that you might sit firmly on their backs and remember
your Lord's blessing while you are seated on them, saying,
"Glory be to Him Who has subjected this to us. We could never
have done it by ourselves." (Surat az-Zukhruf: 13)
Transport today is much faster, easier and more comfortable
than it was in the past. For a person who lives according
to the teachings of the Qur'an, thinking about this is an
important way to draw close to Allah and to thank Him sincerely
for His blessings.
A believer also thinks about Allah when he is taking a trip.
The person beside him driving the car, the model and colour
of the car, the other cars and people around him, their movements,
the writing in the back window of the vehicle in front, the
row of buildings along the way, their shapes, their windows,
billboards and the writing on them are all created by Allah
by His decree. Allah announces this to people in the following
verse:
We have created all things in due measure. (Surat al-Qamar:
49)
Allah created the things we encounter every moment of our
lives, not only for a single individual, but also for each
of the billions of people on the earth. For someone who lives
according to the teaching of the Qur'an, to think about this
is a way for him to know that Allah is always at his side,
and that He sees his every deed and action. Because the awareness
of this fact is with him throughout the day, neither traffic
congestion, nor a vehicle swerving in front of him, or any
other difficulty he may experience will alter this attitude
of submission to Allah.
Some people see even small misfortunes as major adversities;
they become impatient and sometimes lose control of themselves,
behaving in an irrational way. Heavy traffic or an inattentive
driver quickly irritates them and they may start to mutter
to themselves or shout. They have no patience when they are
stuck in traffic and they show this by continuously honking
their horns and irritating others. The reason for such behaviour
is that they have forgotten that everything is under Allah's
control.
For someone who has turned his back on Allah, transportation
is not a blessing but a bother and an annoyance. For example,
potholes in the road, traffic congestion, a sudden rainstorm,
and many other things will occupy his mind all day. But these
useless thoughts are of no benefit to him either in this life
or the next. Some people claim that the main thing that prevents
them from thinking deeply about these things is the struggle
they have in this world. Because of the time they must give
to satisfying needs for food, shelter and health, they claim
they have no time left to think about the existence of Allah
or the signs leading to faith. But this is nothing more than
evasion of responsibility. A person's familial duties and
the position in which he finds himself have nothing to do
with thinking. A person who, in order to win Allah's approval,
thinks about the signs leading to faith, Allah's decree, the
afterlife, death and reflects on the blessings our Lord has
given him in this life, will find Allah's help at his side.
He will see that many of his problems are easily solved and
he will be able to find more time and ease to think.
A believer never forgets that Allah has created every situation
he meets during his day. The purpose of the creation of these
things is for us to learn to be patient or to use our minds
to try to solve the problem in the way most pleasing to Allah.
If there is a problem that cannot be solved by personal effort,
then the only thing to do is to be patient. To become irritated,
start shouting and arguing like some people do, is wrong and
senseless because it may be dangerous both for themselves
and for others.
It is wrong for people to expect trials to occur only with
great pain and tragedy as tests of our patience, because Allah
tests human beings throughout the day with various trials
both big and small. So, annoying things like being caught
in traffic or being late in arriving somewhere and small accidents
are tests for human beings. But, in this situation, those
who live according to the teaching of the Qur'an do not feel
annoyance and they keep their patience without complaining.
In the Qur'an, Allah reveals that it is one of the characteristics
of believers that they remain patient with the trials to which
they are subject:
Whose hearts quake at the mention of Allah, and who are steadfast
in the face of all that happens to them, those who establish
prayer and give of what We have provided for them. (Surat
al-Hajj: 35)
With regard to traffic accidents that they may have, believers
maintain their composure and are resigned to their destiny,
not in a passive sense, but realistically accepting what Allah
has decreed for them. In such a situation they act sensibly
knowing that Allah created what has happened to them and they
try to do something to save the injured, call for help and
limit the damage. They know that they are responsible every
moment of this earthly life to act in a way that will be pleasing
to Allah.
In Surat al-Mulk, Allah reveals the purpose for human creation
and the responsibility given to us:
He Who created death and life to test which of you is best
in action. He is the Almighty, the Ever-Forgiving. (Surat
al-Mulk: 2)
A believer who lives every moment of his earthly life according to the teachings
of the Qur'an will not let his mind be occupied by pointless and senseless thoughts
during a trip; he directs his attention to things and events about which he can
think deeply. For example, those people who are far removed from the teaching
of the Qur'an, seeing birds flying through the air, will perceive it as an ordinary
occurrence. However, for a believer, the fact that birds, not attached to anything,
remain suspended in thin air and perform manoeuvres with their delicate wings;
that their wings are designed so that they can fly, move quickly and perform these
manoeuvres; that their bills are structures especially made that they can be appropriately
nourished; their flying techniques, special skeletal structures, and respiratory,
nervous and other systems; the complex aerodynamic structures of their feathers;
their nest building techniques; their sense organs, hunting and feeding methods,
their behaviour, the sounds they make during mating and at other times; the fact
that the systems observed in birds are wonders of design, are proofs of Allah's
existence, power and supreme knowledge. Allah draws our attention to this in the
Qur'an: "Have they not looked at the birds above them,
with wings outspread and folded back? Nothing holds them up but the All-Merciful.
He sees all things." (Surat al-Mulk: 19) As believers go on their ways,
they observe the wonders of creation such as these that surround them and are
witnesses every moment to Allah's endless power.
At work
Most adults devote a large part of their day to work. But those
who act according to the teachings of the Qur'an are significantly
different from their colleagues,
who share a common morality. For a believer, no matter how urgent
his business may be during the day, to perform his service to
and worship of Allah is more important than anything else. Allah
reveals this in the Qur'an:
…Say: "What is with Allah is better than
trade or entertainment. Allah is the Best of Providers." (Surat
al-Jumu'a: 11)
A believer is aware of this, and no work will prevent him
from remembering Allah's name or performing his worship; he
will not neglect or postpone any religious obligation for
the sake of material gain. Our Lord draws our attention to
this in a verse of the Qur'an:
In houses which Allah has permitted to be built and in which
His name is remembered, there are men who proclaim His glory
morning and evening, not distracted by trade or commerce from
the remembrance of Allah and the establishment of prayer and
the payment of zakat; fearing a day when all hearts and eyes
will be in turmoil. (Surat an-Nur: 36-37)
The reason for drawing attention to commerce in this verse
is because the desire for material profit is one of the biggest
weaknesses among human beings. Some people are prepared to
neglect the precepts of the deen for the sake of earning more
money, obtaining more property or gaining more power. For
example, they don't say their prayers or fulfil any other
obligations, and they don't display fine qualities of character
even though they are able to do so.
There are a number of things that these people expect in
return for their labours. They want a good life in this world,
to be prosperous, to gain position and respect and be honoured
in society, to have a good marriage and praiseworthy children…
These are a few of the things that people divorced from the
values of the Qur'an even go so far as to choose instead of
the afterlife. Indeed, all these things are legitimate blessings
to which everyone who aims to win Allah's pleasure and attain
the afterlife may also aspire. Believers also want to have
the same blessings: useful employment, to earn money and own
property. But they have some qualities that separate them
from other people: they do all their work to please Allah,
spend their money in ways that Allah has advised, and in their
business, as in everything else, they meticulously obey Allah's
commands.
In a verse of the Qur'an, Allah draws our attention to the
dangers of regarding commerce as preferable to the deen:
Say: "If your fathers or your sons or your brothers or your
wives or your tribe, or any wealth you have acquired, or any
business you fear may slump, or any house which pleases you,
are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger and doing jihad
in His Way, then wait until Allah brings about His command.
Allah does not guide people who are deviators." (Surat at-Tawba:
24)
A believer with profound faith will make every effort to
avoid being caught up in this kind of passion. There is a
noble character that Allah expects of believers, and which
they will display, no matter in what work they are engaged.
In doing business they are honest, sincere, self-sacrificing,
hardworking, fair and modest. All their attention is directed
to winning Allah's pleasure and to maintaining the boundary
He has set between what is lawful and unlawful. Allah has
commanded believers that in doing business they should not
abuse anyone's rights, they should give full measure and full
weight with justice, and not diminish the value of people's
goods. (Surah Hud: 85)
In a few verses Allah has revealed the importance of being
honest in business, treating people justly and, in so doing,
displaying fine qualities and winning His approval:
Give full measure when you measure and weigh
with a level balance. That is better and gives the best result.
(Surat al-Isra': 35)
Give just weight-do not skimp in the balance.
(Surat ar-Rahman: 9)
In the Qur'an, Allah explains how people should engage in trade and commerce.
First of all, Allah has clearly forbidden usury: "But
Allah has permitted trade and He has forbidden usury." (Surat al-Baqara: 275)
Another thing that Allah has revealed is how to manage trade and debts.
Allah commands that, in doing business, when a person takes on a debt to be repaid
after a specified period, he should write it down. If the person incurring the
debt is incompetent or weak or unable to dictate, then his guardian should dictate
for him justly. And two men among them should act as witnesses. (Surat al-Baqara:
282)
Another thing that believers should be careful about in their
work is to consult the views of other people when making decisions,
starting a new business, and improving their operations. Allah
says in the Qur'an that this is a quality of a believer.
As in every sphere, so in trade and commerce, the Qur'an
brings what is finest, easiest and most true into human life.
In this way, it helps people away from stress and depression
and makes it possible for them to work in a healthy and peaceful
environment where they can submit themselves to Allah, take
right action, and consult with others in making decisions.
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Besides this, a believer is very open-minded in his work-life
making both short and long term plans and mapping out the
various stages. And after he has begun the work, he will definitely
calculate the further stages, what measures will ensure him
success in the long run and possible alternatives. And he
will take every precaution that Allah has offered in the Qur'an
to ensure that a measure he thinks beneficial to put into
effect will not prove disadvantageous at a later stage. While
engaged in his work, he will pray constantly to Allah from
his heart, ask our Lord to make it easy and he will consider
that no enterprise will be successful, unless Allah wills
it. He hopes that the work he does will be a way to win Allah's
pleasure.
In the age in which we live, new discoveries and scientific
developments have occurred that people in the past could not
even have imagined. The teachings of the Qur'an require us
to give thanks for these incomparable opportunities. For example,
science, technology, modern transportation and communications
have reached a high level of advancement today. Thanks to
computers and Internet technology, people from all over the
world can communicate with one another within seconds, share
information and establish contacts. Certainly, these are blessings
that need to be pondered very deeply. The prophets Allah has
given as examples in the Qur'an always approached Allah sincerely,
and always thought about Allah and thanked Him when engaged
in their work. In Surah Saba', Allah says:
They made for him anything he wished: high arches and statues,
huge dishes like cisterns, great built-in cooking vats. "Work,
family of Dawud, in thankfulness!" But very few of My slaves
are thankful. (Surah Saba': 13)
Shopping
Today shopping is an important activity for many people.
For example, many people spend hours, even days, visiting
stores to find clothes to show off to their friends. They
spend a lot of money on clothes that they will wear only a
few times in their lives, and despite the fact that their
closet is full, they may buy new clothes with undiminished
passion. For these people, shopping has gone beyond being
a means to meet their needs and become an important part of
their lives. It is characteristic of some that they actually
lose themselves in shopping and very often buy things that
later on they will regret having bought.
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Surely, shopping is necessary for everyone and can even be
a pleasant chore. But the error in it is that it may instil
worldly desires in people and make them completely oblivious
of the afterlife. They devote their whole lives, thoughts
and plans to this activity, and instead of seeking ways to
please Allah Who created them, they try to find satisfaction
in minor occupations such as shopping.
As in every area of life, a person who lives according to
the teachings of the Qur'an will also try to see in the activity
of shopping the good that Allah has created and the meaning
behind things that happen. For him, shopping is not aimless
wandering but the opportunity to supply him and his family
with what he needs. Shopping will certainly not take him away
from performing the service he owes to Allah. Allah commands
believers in the Qur'an:
Restrain yourself patiently with those who call on their
Lord morning and evening, desiring His face. Do not turn your
eyes from them, desiring the attractions of this world. And
do not obey someone whose heart We have made neglectful of
Our remembrance and who follows his own whims and desires
and whose life has transgressed all bounds. (Surat al-Kahf:
28)
A believer who goes shopping will keep the following in mind:
Allah has created various foods, clothing and many other blessings
for believers. But in many countries, because of unemployment,
poverty or conflict, people cannot find anything to eat. Although
living in countries with lots of resources, there are people
who are too poor to buy what they need. These things are all
under Allah's control and there is a reason for the amount
of provision that Allah chooses to give people. Allah draws
our attention to this in the Qur'an:
Do they not know that Allah expands the provision of anyone
He wills and restricts it? There are certainly Signs in that
for people who believe. (Surat az-Zumar: 52)
Allah has created various circumstances to test human beings.
And a believer will not cease giving thanks for what he has
been given, no matter in what state he is. He is aware that
the test and his situation are transitory. For this reason,
he desires to act at every moment in a way that will be pleasing
to Allah. He expresses his thanks to Allah for His blessings
in his heart, in what he says and what he does. He spends
what he has been given on doing good works, and if Allah restricts
his provision, he will be patient and continue to give sincere
thanks to Him. He knows he is tested with poverty and prays
for Allah to give him patience. In every circumstance, a believer
is content with Allah and hopes that Allah will be content
with him.
But those who adopt the traditions, customs and values of
a society that does not live by the teachings of the Qur'an,
immediately lose their sense of gratitude when confronted
by the least annoyance. Allah condemns them in the Qur'an,
as mut for failing to see that their prosperity and wealth
are a trial equal to their experience of poverty and need:
As for man, when his Lord tests him by honouring him and
favouring him, he says, "My Lord has honoured me!" But then
when He tests him by restricting his provision, he says, "My
Lord has humiliated me!" (Surat al-Fajr: 15-16)
Allah has created the countless blessings on this earth,
but people who do not realise this forget that it is according
to Allah's will and by His permission that they can buy their
food and clothing. They do not thank Allah but act constantly
under the control of selfish desires. All they think about
while shopping is what clothing will most impress their friends.
What occupies their minds constantly is where they can buy
the latest and most attractive fashions in the colours and
qualities they want. They are always concerned about what
other people have and are jealous of them. They cannot endure
being without possession and material things. They feel a
great desire to own property and possessions. They compare
what has been given to them with what has been given to others,
and become impatient, thinking they have been treated unjustly
and do not give thanks. In the Qur'an, Allah reveals the ungratefulness
of those who are not content with what they have and always
want more:
Allah shows favour to mankind but most of them are not thankful.
(Surat an-Naml: 73)
A believer who lives according to the teaching of the Qur'an
knows that the blessings around him are a gift from Allah
and is careful not to spend money rashly. While shopping,
he makes great effort to avoid wasting money and time. He
acts as Allah says in the Qur'an: "…eat
and drink but do not be profligate. He does not love the profligate."
(Surat al-A'raf: 31) He never forgets that Allah calls
people who squander their money extravagantly "brothers of
Shaytan" (Surat al-Isra': 27)
Just as we are required by the Qur'an not to waste money in shopping or buying
other things, so generosity is also required. Allah reveals this in Surat al-Furqan:
"Those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor
mean, but take a stance mid way between the two." (Surat al-Furqan: 67) This
verse sums up the wisdom a believer shows in the way he does his shopping.
Exercise and physical training
Every person of faith knows that his body has been entrusted
to his use for a short time in this earthly life; he is responsible
for caring for it as best he can, so he is careful about his
health. For this reason, he devotes some serious time in his
daily activities for exercise or physical training. Exercise
and physical training help to strengthen the body, give it endurance
and enable it to function in an orderly and healthy way and
will make it possible for the believer to work even better to
please Allah and do right action.
A human being's metabolism is not in accord with inactivity,
it is created to support movement. Today it is recognised
that exercise has many benefits: it strengthens the body's
immune, circulatory, respiratory and nervous systems; it makes
the body more resistant to germs and disease; it ensures the
orderly functioning of the hormonal system, the heart and
the arteries; it strengthens the muscles, joints and tendons;
in improves conditioning and robustness; it helps maintain
balance in the blood sugar, reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol
and increase the level of "good" cholesterol.
Another reason why people of faith make efforts in this regard
is that physical health is a quality that Allah draws attention
to in the Qur'an. For example, it can be seen in verse 144
of Surat al-A'raf, in which Allah speaks to Musa (as) and
chooses him to lead the Children of Isra'il, that accounts
about him tell of his physical strength. Another verse tells
of the physical strength of Talut (as) who was sent to rule
over his people:
Their Prophet said to them, "Allah has appointed Talut to
be your king." They said, "How can he have kingship over us
when we have much more right to kingship than he does? He
has not even got much wealth!" He said, "Allah has chosen
him over you and favoured him greatly in knowledge and physical
strength. Allah gives kingship to anyone He wills. Allah is
All-Encompassing, All-Knowing." (Surat al-Baqara: 247)
There is another reason why believers should be careful to
take exercise: if a person who is communicating the teachings
of the Qur'an looks physically strong and attractive he will
have influence over others; that person's noble and attractive
outward appearance will make a positive impression on those
with whom he is communicating.
For this reason, believers should always make the effort to
maintain a strong and healthy body. They cannot be lazy, lax
or careless in this matter.
Saying prayers
Verse 56 of Surat adh-Dhariyat which reads "I only
created jinn and man to worship Me" declares that Allah has created human
beings to serve Him. In other words, the purpose of human creation is, as Allah
says in the Qur'an, to serve our Lord Who has created all things. So, those who
accept the Qur'an as their guide put worshipping Allah above all other things,
and they spend their short lives-seventy-odd years if they are granted that much-with
a view to the afterlife and to winning Allah's favour. This shows itself in every
moment of their earthly lives.
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A believer is aware that the teachings of the Qur'an apply not only to a part
of his life in this world, or to moments or stages in it, but to the whole life.
He obeys Allah's commands to the fullest of his abilities and does as many good
works as he can. He spends his time in the acts of worship that Allah has revealed
in the Qur'an, and when he finishes one work, he goes on to another. Because Allah
says in verse 162 of Surat al-An'am, "Say: 'My prayer
and my rites, my living and my dying, are for Allah alone, the Lord of all the
worlds'", he pursues what is good and beneficial and there is no break,
stop or limit in his efforts. For a believer, beginning a new job after the previous
one has been completed is necessary because he knows that he must spend every
second given to him in this earthly life working to win Allah's favour, and that
he will give account in the afterlife of every moment he has spent in this world.
For this reason, he spends every minute hoping only to win Allah's approval, and
doing those things that he hopes Allah will most approve of. In the Qur'an, Allah
tells believers to exert their efforts in this direction:
So when you have finished, work on. (Surat al-Inshirah: 7)
The believer's actions to win Allah's favour are uninterrupted from one day
to another. This is indicated in verse 76 of Surah Maryam: "In
your Lord's sight, right actions which are lasting are better both in reward and
end result."
And in another verse, our Lord reveals that He wants people
to persevere in their worship:
He is Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything in
between them, so worship Him and persevere in His worship.
Do you know of any other with His Name? (Surah Maryam: 65)
The perverse logic of some ignorant people in this regard
leads them to doubt the existence of the afterlife and to
just perform some acts of worship from time to time.
Some people make the great mistake of trying to get the blessings
of this world, which they have set as a goal; they do anything
to become rich, gain status and get other things they want.
Within a very short time they become engaged in a huge contest
for the sake of a "paltry price" (Surat at-Tawba: 9) that
they will soon lose. But a believer who pursues Allah's favour
and the way to the Garden strives only for Allah. The Qur'an
describes this quality of a believer:
But as for anyone who desires the Hereafter, and strives
for it with the striving it deserves, being a believer, the
striving of such people will be gratefully acknowledged. (Surat
al-Isra': 19)
A believer who spends his whole day seeking Allah's favour
is resolved and eager in the performance of his prayer. He
remembers Allah all day long in his heart and in his activities
and ponders deeply His power, intelligence, knowledge, artistry
and other attributes. This attitude is the application in
daily life of the commands in the following verses:
… Remember your Lord much and glorify Him
in the evening and after dawn. (Surah Al 'Imran: 41)
Remember your Lord in yourself humbly and
fearfully, without loudness of voice, morning and evening…
(Surat al-A'raf: 205)
In verse 28 of Surat ar-Ra'd, our Lord says that hearts will
find peace only in remembering Him:
…Those who believe and whose hearts find peace in the remembrance
of Allah. (Surat ar-Ra'd: 28)
A person who takes the Qur'an for his guide will be meticulous
in performing acts of worship such as praying five times a
day, fasting and performing wudu, as Allah has commanded.
For example, saying prayers on time is an important matter.
He does not let worldly concerns stand in the way of his prayer.
Every time he says his prayers, he does it with humility,
joy and enthusiasm, hoping that it brings him closer to Allah.
However, those who do not approach Allah with real enthusiasm
but for show or out of fear of what other people may think
cannot experience joy in worshipping Allah. When they perform
the prayer, they have no idea that it could bring them closer
to Allah. Their minds are too involved in their daily affairs
to remember Allah and praise Him. In the Qur'an, Allah gives
a warning to those who are neglectful of their prayers:
So woe to those who do the prayer, and are forgetful of their
prayer, those who show off… (Surat al-Ma'un: 4-6)
This means that they delay the prayer outside of its due
time or even don't do it at all. However, although the Surah
doesn't refer to it, intelligent people take warning of being
distracted in the prayer.
Distracted people make the mistake of thinking that they
are doing something for Allah without fearing Him, thinking
about Him and without sensing His presence or nearness. The
behaviour that will bring a person nearer to Allah consists
of sincerity in performing prayers, fear of Allah and obedience
and humility before Him.
Some people have a very limited concept of prayer thinking
that it is sufficient to obey a few of Allah's commands in
the course of the day. But according to the Qur'an, worship
is not limited only to religious duties like prayer, fasting,
pilgrimage and giving sadaqah.
Worship means service. That is, it consists of a person's
attitude and state of mind and everything that he does and
says as a slave of Allah. No matter how important an obligatory
prayer is as an act of worship for an individual, in the same
way, overcoming anger, using courteous language, enjoining
the right and forbidding the wrong, trusting other Muslims
and not being argumentative are also included in worship.
For this reason, good behaviour is among those matters which
must be applied and practised just as meticulously and determinedly
as acts of worship. Indeed, alongside that, Muslims ought
to know the kinds of ordinary transaction in the world, such
as buying, selling, renting, marriage and divorce which are
acceptable and the correct ways to do these transactions.
In short, believers show great care every moment of their
lives for all of the commands of Allah in the Qur'an and for
the commands, prohibitions and counsels of the Messenger of
Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.
One of the most important acts of worship a believer can
perform in the course of his day is communication of the message,
that is, to invite people to follow the right path, commend
goodness to them and warn them against evil, and to invite
them to increase in knowledge of Islam, Iman and Ihsan and
to read the Qur'an. This worship is a necessary part of a
believer's daily life. A believer is responsible at every
moment to be a representative of Allah among His creation
and to proclaim Allah's deen by his words, behaviour and by
the kind of person he is. And this responsibility is not limited
strictly to acts of worship; a believer will try to be an
example to those around him by behaving in the best possible
way. Our Lord speaks about this in the Qur'an:
The men and women of the believers are friends of one another.
They command what is right and forbid what is wrong, and establish
prayer and pay zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. They
are the people on whom Allah will have mercy. Allah is Almighty,
All-Wise. (Surat at-Tawba: 71)
A believer is eager to do all he can to call other people
to Allah and to His Way. He will tell them about Allah, His
Unity and attributes, the purpose of their creation, right
behaviour and conduct and the kind of life that pleases Allah,
and about good, evil, right and wrong in the Qur'an, the day
of judgment, the Fire and the Garden, and other such topics.
He will tell them about the Prophet, may Allah bless him and
grant him peace, in such a way as to draw them to him, to
following and emulating him.
The conversation that believers have among themselves is
truly mutual reminder. They call one another to obey the commands
of Allah and to live by the Sunnah of His Messenger, may Allah
bless him and grant him peace, and to live in conformity with
Islamic values. In short, the usual way of a believer is remembrance
and reminder.
Believers use both oral and written methods of reminder,
and they may make use of today's highly developed means of
mass communication. In calling people to the teachings of
the Qur'an, they can take advantage of television, radio,
books, magazines, newspapers, Internet and other media.
As important as the daily invitation of Islam of believers
living according to the teachings of the Qur'an, there is
the time they take to prepare the invitation. In the Qur'an,
Allah indicates that those who wish to undertake the struggle
of ideas on His way must first make preparation for it. For
this reason, it is extremely important that a person prepares
himself in every way for this work. Allah says:
If they had really desired to go out, they would have made
proper preparations for it… (Surat at-Tawba: 46)
To communicate Allah's message, one of the things that the
believer who is qualified to do so has to do is develop himself
and to gain every kind of useful knowledge in order to communicate
Allah's deen. That is, he must educate himself both spiritually
and intellectually. He must make every effort to speak and
write concisely, to the point and on topic, to be persuasive,
effective and to satisfy his listeners with the wisdom learnt
from Allah's deen. The main requirement is that a believer
learn the deen of Islam, the meanings of the verses of the
Qur'an and grasp the conduct and the sayings of our Prophet,
may Allah bless him and grant him peace. So, all these preparations
and efforts have a special place in the daily life of that
believer who is qualified and authorised to call others to
Allah and His Messenger.
Going to bed at night
For all thinking people, there are many matters to reflect on in the creation
of the night. Our Lord announced this to human beings in the following verse of
the Qur'an: "A Sign for them is the night: We peel the
day away from it and there they are in darkness." (Surah Ya Sin: 37) One
of these matters is hidden in the gradual disappearance of the light and the darkening
of the sky. Because of this slow transition, living things easily become accustomed
to the differences in light and temperature between day and night and suffer no
harm because of them. Allah, with His supreme knowledge and power, has mercy on
His slaves and all living things, and He gives this blessing to all people but
most do not think of it even once in their lives.
When a person who lives by the values of the Qur'an considers these things,
he sees another proof of what Allah revealed in verse 92 of Surah Yusuf: "…
He is the Most Merciful of the merciful."
There is no doubt that the alternation of day and night is
one of the countless blessings created by Allah for humanity.
In order to understand this better, our Lord draws our attention
to these things in the Qur'an:
Say: "What do you think? If Allah made it
permanent night for you till the Day of Rising, what god is
there other than Allah to bring you light? Do you not then
hear?"
Say: "What do you think? If Allah made it
permanent day for you till the Day of Rising, what god is
there other than Allah to bring you night to rest in? Do you
not then see?'"(Surat al-Qasas: 71-72)
Allah created the conditions, balances and systems necessary
for day and night, in the absence of one of which, only Allah
could help. If Allah wanted, He could create continual day
or continual night, but living things could not survive under
such conditions. If such conditions ever came about, life
on earth would come to an end. There is no doubt that Allah
creates day and night in perfect order providing an environment
in which living things can survive. This is a sign of His
endless compassion and mercy. In the verse following the previous
one, our Lord says the following:
But part of His mercy is that He has made both night and
day for you so that you can have your rest and seek His bounty,
and so that hopefully you will be thankful. (Surat al-Qasas:
73)
It is only those who use their minds to consider the creation
and who come to fear Allah, that is, who live according to
the Qur'an, who reflect on the reasons for the orderly alteration
of day and night. Allah reveals this in a few verses:
In the creation of the heavens and the earth,
and the alternation of night and day, there are Signs for
people with intelligence. (Surah Al 'Imran: 190)
In the alternation of night and day and
what Allah has created in the heavens and the earth there
are Signs for people who have taqwa. (Surah Yunus: 6)
In the creation of the heavens and earth, and the alternation
of the night and day, and the ships which sail the seas to
people's benefit, and the water which Allah sends down from
the sky by which He brings the earth to life when it was dead
and scatters about in it creatures of every kind and the varying
direction of the winds, and the clouds subservient between
heaven and earth, there are Signs for people who use their
intellect. (Surat al-Baqara: 164)
Allah has created human metabolism such that it needs to
rest in the night and He reveals this in the following verses:
It is He Who appointed the night for you,
so that you could rest in it, and the day for seeing. There
are certainly Signs in that for people who listen. (Surah
Yunus: 67)
Allah is He Who appointed the night for
you so that you might rest in it, and the day for seeing.
Allah pours out His favour on mankind but most people do not
show thanks. (Surah Ghafir: 61)
Besides being a time for rest, the night has another very
special quality. One of the reasons for the creation of night
is that these hours of general peace and quiet around the
world are productive for some acts of worship. Compared to
the active daytime, night-time is more conducive to thinking,
reading and praying. Allah reveals this in the Qur'an:
Certainly rising at night has a stronger effect and is more
conducive to concentration. In the daytime much of your time
is taken up by business matters. Remember the Name of your
Lord, and devote yourself to Him completely. (Surat al-Muzzammil:
6-8)
It is easier to concentrate in the night in order to ponder
the wonders of Allah's creation, read the Qur'an and pray.
A believer who is aware of this will not spend the whole night
asleep or resting. He will quietly by himself turn to Allah
for his needs, and for forgiveness of his errors and shortcomings.
He will evaluate the day that has passed, review the mistakes
he made in it; repent of his shortcomings and ask for forgiveness.
He will pass his time in a way that pleases Allah, remember
Him and try to draw close to Him. He will think about many
things such as Allah's existence and majesty, the Qur'an,
the extraordinary design of the universe, living things on
the earth with their flawless systems, the blessings that
Allah continually creates, the Garden, the Fire and eternity.
The behaviour of a believer who devote a part of the night
to worship is praised by Allah in some verses of the Qur'an:
(The slaves of the All-Merciful are) … those
who pass the night prostrating and standing before their Lord.
(Surat al-Furqan: 64)
Their sides eschew their beds as they call
on their Lord in fear and ardent hope… (Surat as-Sajda: 16)
What of him who spends the night hours in
prayer, prostrating and standing up, mindful of the Hereafter,
hoping for the mercy of his Lord? Say: "Are they the same-those
who know and those who do not know?" It is only people of
intelligence who pay heed. (Surat az-Zumar: 9)
In this way, believers will have put into practice the Sunnah
of our Prophet (saas) who spent a part of each night in prayer,
contemplation and in worship. This is mentioned in one verse:
Your Lord knows that you stay up nearly two-thirds of the
night or half of it, or a third of it and a group of those
with you… (Surat al-Muzzammil: 20)
The tradition has been passed down to us that our Prophet,
may Allah bless him and grant him peace, prayed that Allah
would give him good character and conduct; it is said that
he prayed in these words:
"O Allah, make my constitution and conduct good. O Allah,
save me from bad character and conduct." (Imam Ghazali's Ihya
Ulum-Id-Din)
It must not be forgotten that, as we stated earlier, sleep
is like death and, if Allah willed, a person would not wake
up again. For this reason, the last minutes before falling
asleep may be the last occasion a person has to ask for forgiveness.
Allah reveals this in the Qur'an:
Allah takes back people's selves when their death arrives
and those who have not yet died, while they are asleep. He
keeps hold of those whose death has been decreed and sends
the others back for a specified term. There are certainly
Signs in that for people who reflect. (Surat az-Zumar: 42)
A believer who lives according to the teachings of the Qur'an
knows the value of this opportunity granted to him-perhaps
his last-before falling asleep. He keeps this in mind and
sincerely draws near to Allah; he asks forgiveness for his
wrong actions, asks Allah's help in all things and prays to
Him alone in the stillness of the night.
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