Eight Important Lessons

Thursday 9th July 2009

Zikr lesson for the week

8 Important Lessons
___________________________________________________________________________________

A young boy went to a madrasa to study Islam and remained there for 33 years. When he was about to leave a teacher asked him how long he spent in the madrasa. The student replied 33 years. The teacher then asked how many lessons he had learnt in these 33 years. The student said that he has learnt 8 lessons. Astonished by this the teacher asked the student to narrate the 8 lessons he took 33 years to learn.

1) Firstly, we come into this world alone, even without any clothing, and as we grow we develop relationships with each other based on love. For example we develop love for our parents, friends, spouse and children. All these relationships are based on love that is very fragile and it can be broken. Either we leave those who we love or they leave us. However, if one develops love for Allah (swt) and He in turn loves us, this ‘love’ can never be broken even after we leave this world.


2) As we grow in this world we develop an ego. Man displays anger, haughtiness, jealously, etc. These are all negative characteristics of man and it can have a negative impact on our spiritual development. Allah (swt) says in Surah Naziat;

And for such As had entertained the fear of standing before their Lord's (tribunal) and had restrained (their) soul from lower desires, their abode will be the Garden.
(Chapter 79, verse 40 – 41)

How will you feel when you have to stand and give an account to Allah (swt)? So, if you fear Allah (swt) try to control your ego.


3) We come into this world without anything material and as we grow we acquire some worldly assets. Allah (swt) makes mention of this in Sruah Imran;

Fair In the eyes of men is the love of things They covet: women and sons; Heaped-up hoards of gold and silver; horses branded (for blood and excellence); and (wealth of) cattle and well-tilled land. such are the possessions of This world's life; but In nearness to Allah is the best of the goals (to return to).
(Chapter 3, verse 14)

All our worldly possessions will one day disappear so we should not become attached to those things that will only serve us for a short period of time. Instead we should focus on ‘sending things’ that would be of benefit to us in the hereafter as Allah (swt) says;

What is with you must vanish: what is with Allah will and we will certainly bestow, on those who patiently persevere, their reward to the best of their actions.
(Chapter 16, verse 96)


4) As man progresses in this world he tends to develop pride because of his status, wealth or the power he has. Prophet Muhammad (saw) has said,

“All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action”

Man has been created as the vicegerent of Allah (swt) so we should not inculcate a feeling of pride. All the wealth, status and power one has will inevitably come to an end.


5) Allah (swt) gives to some and He may not give to others, and this can lead to jealously. For example you may be envious and jealous of someone who has a lot of wealth. Allah (swt) says in Sruah Zukhruf;

Is it They who would portion out the Mercy of Thy Lord? it is We who portion out between them their livelihood In the life of this world: and We raise some of them above others In ranks, so that some may command work from others. but the Mercy of Thy Lord is better than the (wealth) which they amass.
(Chapter 43, verse 32)

If Allah (swt) is the one who gives why should we be jealous? He knows what we know not. Whatever Allah (swt) has written for you, you will get it so do not be despondent when you see the success of someone else.


6) As you go through life we see a lot of enmity amongst man and most of the time it is caused by trivial things. No way in the Qur’an Allah (swt) says man is an enemy to each other. Instead He identifies Satan as the enemy of mankind at large. Allah (swt) says;

"Did I not enjoin on you, O ye Children of Adam, that ye should not worship Satan; for that He was to you an enemy avowed?-
(Chapter 36, verse 16)

We have only one enemy in this world and we should try our best not to have any ill feelings towards any man.


7) Allah (swt) is The One who provides substance for all and, while we may make an effort to acquire sustenance we should know that Allah (swt) will only give us what He has written for us. We should therefore not be despondent of what He has provided because He knows what we do not.


8) Put your complete trust in Allah (swt) because we are incapable of simply blinking our eyes or moving any of our limbs without the permission of Allah (swt). Put your faith and trust in Him because He will never let you down.


After the student had finished narrating these 8 lessons the teacher told him that he studied all the revealed books (the Tawrat, Zabur and Injil and Qur’an) and these 8 lessons are the lessons that Allah (swt) has given in all of His books.

If one can incorporate these lessons is ones life it will enable him to have the right balance in this world and attain success in the hereafter. We should all therefore try to inculcate these characteristics in our lives and, insha Allah, Allah (swt) will take care of our affairs.