Suhaib Hasan
An excerpt from
The Journey of the Soul.
A student
studies hard for his final examinations, researching in libraries, practising
past papers and revising his notes because he wants a university degree which
will help advance his career.
A businessman invests much of his time, energy
and money into a commercial venture in the hope of large profits in the
future.
A farmer ploughs his land, sows it, waters it and tends it regularly
in the hope of a good harvest.
They all know that success does not come down
on a plate but has to be achieved through hard work. Man does certain things in
life for certain results, and he avoids other acts because of their
consequences. An adult will not put his hand into a naked flame because he knows
that fire burns, but a child will do so as he is unaware of the consequences.
The most important Belief and Knowledge that should dictate our actions is that
Allah Almighty exists, that He is the Creator and Provider, and that none can
benefit nor harm us except with His permission. If a person's Iman (faith) in
Allah is firm and unyielding, he will be able to direct all his worship and
obedience to Allah and will feel no fear of false deities or worldly powers.
Consider the encounter of Pharaoh's court magicians with Prophet Musa as
described in the Quran. Before meeting the Prophet, they pleaded with Pharaoh
for a substantial reward were they to defeat Musa in a duel using magic.
"So the sorcerers came to Pharaoh and said, 'Of course we shall have a
suitable reward if we win.' " (Surah Al A'raaf 113)
Pharaoh accepted their
plea and promised them not only a reward but also positions at court. When the
encounter with Musa began, the magicians realised quickly that while their own
display was simple magic, Musa's display was extraordinary and much more than
any human could conjure up. So overawed were they by Musa's miracles that they
all fell down in sajda saying,
"We believe in the Lord of the Worlds. The Lord of Musa and Harun." (Surah Ta
Ha, 70)
Pharaoh was stunned by their declaration of faith in Allah and
shouted:
"Have you believed in Him before I gave you permission? ..... Be sure, I will
cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and then I will crucify you
on trunks of palm trees. So shall you know which of us can give the more severe
and lasting punishment." (Surah Ta Ha, 71)
These threats did not frighten the magicians. These men who had just been
begging Pharaoh for more gold coins now became so fearless because of their
faith in Allah that they answered him back easily.
"Never shall we prefer you over the Clear Signs that have come to us and Him
who has created us. So decree whatever you wish to decree. For you can only
decree concerning the matters of this world. We have believed in our Lord; may
He forgive us our faults and the magic to which you did compel us, for Allah is
the Best and forever abiding." (Surah Ta Ha, 72-73)
