In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. And Peace be upon His Prophets and Messengers.


Life as a journey

By Abdullah Ibn Adam

Assalamu 'alalikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,


We all experience this life that has a starting point and eventually an end. When a person is born, his timer starts until his/her time in this world is over -- therefore, this life is temporary. Almost all of us don't know exactly what happened to us before we came into this world or what will happen to us when we will leave this world. However, there is one thing that we can agree: this life is like a journey and we are always moving/heading 'somewhere' for 'something'. So, 'where', 'why' and 'for what' we are going/heading... is our main concern.


Let's first look at two sayings/teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ('alaihi salato wassalam), as recorded by Al-Bukhari (peace be upon him):
{ The Prophet drew a square and then drew a line in the middle of it and let it extend outside the square and then drew several small lines attached to that central line, and said, "This is the human being, and this, (the square) in his lease of life, encircles him from all sides (or has encircled him), and this (line), which is outside (the square), is his hope, and these small lines are the calamities and troubles (which may befall him), and if one misses him, an-other will snap (i.e. overtake) him, and if the other misses him, a third will snap (i.e. overtake) him." }
{ The Prophet drew a few lines and said, "This is (man's) hope, and this is the instant of his death, and while he is in this state (of hope), the nearer line (death) comes to Him." }

After some time pondering on these words, undoubtedly, we realise that these words seem few but contain quite a lot of things. I wish, I was present at that time, when the Prophet (sal allahu alleihi wasallam) taught his companions, so I could have got that which is not recorded. Anyway, Alhamdulillah, we have enough for us to understand. Let's start through it.

This life is full of Fitnah. Regardless of one's race, color, status etc; everyone goes through hardship and tensions. Poor ones are worried about food for this day and rich people are worried about their safety and health. Even children are worried about their school homework! When they get bigger, they start to worry about their business/job and partner! One after another, this life is full of stresses and hardships. If one thinks getting more money, or a beautiful lady or high worldly status will solve their problems and worries in this life... this does not happen! Human is a strange creature, actually, our thoughts are very strange!
Almost, everyone in this world have some aims and purposes. They hope to achieve some goals and then work hard and hard to get there until death overtakes them. Everyone is heading to some direction but is everyone heading to the right one? Is there a way to relief and salvation? Are we going to stress forever?


-=[ THE WAY ]=-

There are many ayaat (verses) in the Qur'an stating "WAY OF ALLAH" or "PATH OF ALLAH" or "THE STRAIGHT PATH". Every Muslim in the Salat (Prayers) says this:

Al-Qur'an [ al-Fātiĥah -- 1:6-7]:
اهدِنَــــا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيمَ
صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمتَ عَلَيهِمْ غَيرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ
(O Allah!) Guide us to The Right Way. [6]
The Way of those whom You have favored; not of those who have earned Your wrath, or of those who have lost The Way. [7]


Where does the right/straight path lead us to?

Someone once told me that when someone has reached or is close to his/her correct destination, that person will realize these (by heart and mind):

الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

Alhamdu lillahi rabbi alAAalameena
All praise is for Allah, the 'Lord' of the Worlds. [1:2]


وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
Wama arsalnaka illa rahmatan lilAAalameena
O Muhammad, We have not sent you but as a Mercy for all the worlds. [21:107]


What are the worlds, and what is His Mercy, Allah knows best! And then the person might say:
"Allah, the Only God, is the most beautiful. He has created everything beautifully!
Life is beautiful. Rahmaan is certainly the most Merciful!"


Allahu ta'ala mentions in the Qur'an about two paradises. For those who live there life in accordance to Allah's commands, and have fear (humble) of standing before Him (that they will be questioned about their actions in this world); for these people, their life of this world becomes a blissful one! Abraham (Sayyidina Ibrahim 'alaihi salam) was thrown in a huge fire (by his enemies). But that fire was made blissful for him (by the command of Almighty Allah)!


وَلِمَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِ جَنَّتَانِ
Waliman khafa maqama rabbihi jannatani
And for him who fears to stand before his Lord are two Gardens (Paradises). [55:46]


Sayyidina Bilal ibn Ribah (May Allah's Mercy be upon him), was badly tortured for becoming a Muslim but what was it that kept him repeating 'Ahad! Ahad!" (One God! One God!)? Obviously, he had tasted the sweetness of faith!


When a believer has reached his destination (his purpose), he/she becomes free from the worldly worries. His/her heart is attached towards Allahu ta'ala and s/he enjoies his/her faith and life.

Al-Qur'an [ al-Baqarah -- 2:155-157]:
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوفْ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الأَمْوَالِ وَالأنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ
الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُواْ إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ
أُولَـئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَاتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ وَأُولَـئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ
We shall surely test your steadfastness with fear and famine, with loss of property, life and produce. Give good news to those who endure with patience;
who, when afflicted with calamity, say: "We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return."
Such are the people on whom there are blessings and Mercy from Allah; and they are the ones that are rightly guided.

Surely, those who get the Blessings and Mercy from Allah subhanahu wata'ala, they are the ones who are in the bliss and delight!




So far, we have seen that this life is full of worries but those who are blessed and get the love of Allahu ta'ala, there worries are turned away and they are in blissful state. This is probably enough as an overview of this life's journey (and anything more might make us sleepy :)


Al-Qur'an [ al-Baqarah -- 2:200-201]:
فَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَمَا لَهُ فِي الآخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلاَقٍ .......
وِمِنْهُم مَّن يَقُولُ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
......There are some who say: "Our Lord! Give us abundance in this world." Such people will not have any share in the hereafter.
But there are others who say: "Our Lord! Give us the good life, both in this world and in the Hereafter and save us from the torment of the fire."

Allah Knows Best