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By Raya Shokatfard
Freelance Writer - USA
(And the foremost are the foremost. These are they who are drawn nigh (to
Allah). In the gardens of bliss.) (Al-Waqi`ah 56:10-12)
He remembers his humility in front of Allah, and knows he can call on Him with hope and
fear. He desires much closeness to Him.
(Call on your Lord with humility and in private: for Allah loves not those
who trespass beyond bounds. Do no mischief on the earth, after it hath been
set in order, but call on Him with fear and longing (in your hearts): for the
Mercy of Allah is (always) near to those who do good.)(Al-A`raf 7:55, 56)
Naturally, this person also knows that charity is another way to bring him closer to his
Creator, for Allah loves those who give to the needy from their wealth and hates the hard
fisted. In a Qudsi hadith the Prophet reported that Allah says,
"Allah will say on the Day of Judgment, ... O son of Adam, I asked you for food and
you fed Me not. He will say: O Lord, and how should I feed You when You are the
Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that My servant so and so asked
you for food and you fed him not? Did you not know that had you fed him you would
surely have found that with Me? O son of Adam, I asked you to give Me to drink and
you gave Me not to drink. He will say: O Lord, how should I give You to drink when
You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: My servant so and so asked you to give
him to drink and you gave him not to drink. Had you given him to drink you would
have surely found that with Me." (Muslim)
This person does all right deeds in order to bring himself closer to his Creator. If he does all
this and still does not feel as close to Allah as he wants then he might look at his
environment and those he befriends and the condition of his lifestyle. Are his/her friends
neglectful of Allah and often engage in idle talk or activities which Allah dislikes?
Are members of his family busy spending most of their time at home in front of TV watching
programs Allah dislikes and he participates with them?
Are friends and family the cause of his weakness in religion? Is he/she dressed properly
according to Islamic mode of dress as he/she likes?
The influence of a close friend is greater than one can imagine. One must take heed who he
chooses as a close friend. Knowing our tendencies to incline to people and the worldly life,
Allah warns us not to get side tracked.
(O ye who believe let not your riches or your children divert you from the
Remembrance of Allah if any act thus, the loss is their own.) (Al-Munafiqun
63:9)
Actions must lead to the cleansing of the heart of all that is displeasing to Allah. This might
not be easy, especially for the younger generation. Yet they must remember they are the
torchbearers of Islam and they are the ones who can influence their peers better than older
people. What a better blessing is it than one knowing that he is doing all he can to gain the
pleasure of his Creator?
(Thus, then, if he be of those Nearest to Allah, there is for him Rest and
Satisfaction, and a Garden of Delights.) (Al-Waqi`ah 56:88,89)
To maintain closeness with Allah, besides the above recommendations, one may engage
in Dhikr or remembrance of Allah as often as one can
(O ye who believe remember Allah very often and glorify Him morning and
evening.) (Al-Ahzab 33:41,42)
Dhikr empties the heart and the mind of impurities and brings a meaningful satisfaction to
one's life.
(Behold in the Remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.) (Ar-Ra`d
13:28)
Finally, since we believe in the Word of Allah, we find the solution of closeness to our
Creator is given to us by Him.
(Therefore remember Me, I will remember you.) (Al-Baqarah 2:152)
First published in February 2011
End
Messenger, peace and blessings upon him, was innocent and free of sin yet he did this,
why? The scholars explain the reason he would ask Allah taala for forgiveness so frequently
was because the act of turning to Allah taala and humbly seeking his forgiveness in itself is
highly beloved to Him and thus is a means to get closer to him. We who sin day and night,
are more deserving of making this a part of our daily routine.
Mufti Mohammed Sajjad
Wallahu Aalam bis-sawab