So,
You Want the Mercy of Allah!
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I was speaking to a young man a short while ago and through
the conversation I heard him say, “I don’t make
Dua anymore.” I asked him, “Why not?”
and he replied, “I made Dua’ for some things
and I never got them so I just gave up!” I asked him
if he was happy in his life, he said, “Not really.”
Then I asked him if he felt he needed the mercy of Allah
in his life, and at that he replied very enthusiastically,
“Of course I do!”
Now this made me think very deeply about some things in
life. Is it right that we (humankind in general) go on expecting
things from our Creator while we sit down passively, mostly
just observing life and hardly doing anything for anyone
else unless it somehow fits in with our scheme of things?Is
it right if you, as an individual, want something from your
mum and dad but you’re doing and saying things they
do not like, going out without their permission, dressing
in an unacceptable way, not pulling your weight around the
house, and so on, then you just come right out and ask for
money, or new clothes, or whatever, and then grumble when
they refuse, and perhaps adding how unfair life is and how
very unreasonable they are?
Let’s look at it another way. Imagine you had someone
you called your friend but this person spoke badly about
you behind your back, took your stuff without permission,
and only came hanging around when he wanted something—then
one day he comes to you and asks a big favour. Most likely
you would tell him to forget it and simply ignore him if
he started complaining. So we all acknowledge that on the
human level life is a matter of give-and-take; it’s
a matter of rights and responsibilities.What about your
relation with your Creator? Is it right that we enjoy the
bounty of this marvellous creation and, even though everything
was created for the benefit of man, we go ahead and make
use of things for our own benefit and comfort without thinking
of others? Is it right to fail to give others their rights
and expect our rights, and often fail to take care of the
creation that Allah provided for us?How often do you use
things that you know will pollute the environment—the
same environment that Allah created for you?
Dropping
litter, using chemicals, and generally tapping into the
wasteful and excessive way of life in the modern world,
without really thinking seriously about your responsibility
to yourself, those around you, the world, and your Creator.
Then when you get sick because of the polluted and chemical-filled
environment, you turn in desperation to the Lord of all
asking for help and healing. Then as soon as you are well
again, you go back to the old habits of misusing, if not
destroying, the environment. How Merciful Allah is! Even
though you keep making the same mistakes; even though you
misuse yourself, others, and the world around you, He still
comes to your aid! He, the Almighty, gives you enough opportunity
to change, to see the errors of your ways and to make a
fresh start.Have you ever noticed how your body heals as
does the environment?
So
where is your place in all this? A person can drink alcohol
and abuse his body until he gets liver disease—and
then blame fate! Likewise a person could neglect the rights
of his family and even abuse them when he is in the prime
of his life and filled with strength, but when he gets old
and is left alone and feeling lonely, he curses life and
complains how difficult life is! Do you find that you sometimes
do things like this?What does Allah want from you? Remember
He gave you your life, your family and friends, a series
of situations, and all the creation around you. Do you think
He gave you all this just for fun and games? Or to realize
the reality, understand yourself and your role in life,
and appreciate your Creator and spread the message of truth
wherever you are?The mercy of Allah is ever present. It
is you who must learn how to tap into that mercy and learn
to live your life in a way that will make you deserving
of that mercy. The same power that controls the universe
promises to turn to you if you turn to Him! It’s like
this because your Creator gave you freedom of choice, so
you can try to face life either with His help or without
it.