Spirituality

Wealth is a trial. It makes people’s minds wander. They end up giving themselves more credit than what they really deserve,


1. Call for Preparedness/readiness (continued)

Truly the rising by night is most potent for governing (the soul), and most suitable for (framing) the Word (of Prayer and Praise). True, there is for thee by day prolonged occupation with ordinary duties: But keep in remembrance the name of thy Lord and devote thyself to Him whole-heartedly. (He is) Lord of the East and the West: there is no god but He: take Him therefore for (thy) Disposer of Affairs. (Quran 73:6-9)


In simple words, it is more effective to do it at night under the cover of silence and darkness, when you are detached by what is happening around you, when it is dark and quiet, it will sink deeper in one’s mind and in one’s heart, which all of those who have done that will probably agree. Even many of us used to study at night and not during the day because we can focus more. Definitely in spiritual communication with God, when one is not distracted, the interesting thing, as is said is: “Your word will sound clearer to you during that time.” Tarteela means reciting nicely when everything else is silent.


During the day, there are so many things happening around us that keep us busy. Sabha is an antonym of habasa. Habasa means locked up. Thus the opposite meaning of Sabha is being constrained or imprisoned and hence the opposite of that is one is wandering all over.


The Quran is telling the Prophet (Pbuh) that during the day he will be occupied with many things. Hence the spiritual nurturing should occur at night. During the day, he is busy meeting the delegations and discussing about Islam.


Tabattal means cut yourself off during this time of everything else and just remember one thing, that is your Lord. Consider Him the disposer of affairs. That meaning was very much needed for the Prophet (Pbuh) at this very early stage. If one is going to face the whole world, and one is not quite sure that God is taking care of one’s affairs then that person is in a great trouble, at least one can easily be intimated and scared. As one can notice all the directions in this Surah is to prepare the Prophet (Pbuh) spiritually and everything mentioned here is very pertinent.


And have patience with what they say, and leave them with noble (dignity). And leave Me (alone to deal with) those in possession of the good things of life, who (yet) deny the Truth; and bear with them for a little while. With Us are Fetters (to bind them), and a Fire (to burn them), And a Food that chokes, and a Penalty Grievous. (Quran 73:10-13).


When one starts working with people, Muslims or non-Muslims, one definitely needs to be patient. One needs to be patient with what the others say, they may say things that will drive you crazy, no matter what one does, whether it is right or wrong.


If one has reached the stage that there is no point in continuing the discussion with the people, the Quran advises the Prophet to leave the forum, in a beautiful way, waohjurhum hajran jameela. Yusuf Ali in his translation has borrowed the word “noble”, which is fine too. Even at the time of departure, Quran expects one to do it with dignity and not to be insulting. One can thank and ask the other person to make dua for him/her and leave the place with dignity.


And finally Allah alerts the Prophet (Pbuh) ahead of time that he will face problems with the rich people and not from the poor people, which is true. Wealth is a fitnah, a trial. It makes the mind of the people to wander and makes the people to think about themselves, give themselves more credit than what they really deserve, they feel that they really made it. Hence the struggle will be with waalmukaththibeena olee alnnaAAmah, meaning aristo-crat.


(The writer is Sr. Advisor, Muslim Public Affairs Council- MPAC)