These days I turn inside – Not only because the days get shorter and cooler with the colder season to come – I also turn inside myself. My mind holds still, reflects, thinks and tries to put some thoughts into order.
I think about this life. About our purpose, about why we are here and for what we strive. I see that I have to correct my intentions. I see that my thoughts often (unconsciously) are much influenced by our consumerist age: believing that we deserve a perfect, good, happy and healthy life.
But suddenly I feel that I have to focus more on the true meaning of our life on this earth. I have to remind myself of our final destination.
I have to stop and to pause. I have to switch my focus from dunya (this worldly life) to akhira (the hereafter).
I have to remember that we are not here to expect a perfect life without difficulties, pain, lost and sadness. We are not here to wait that life showers us with everything we yearn for. We are not here to wait that all our wishes come true and everything goes smooth. We are not here to expect that life offers us all we hope for.
We are NOT here to expect paradise on this earth.
No.
We are here to be tested.
We should try to act in our most perfect way despite all difficulties and struggles.
We are here to be grateful for what we have and what we got, may it be little or big, may it seem good or bad.
We are here to better ourselves with every mundane act.
We are here only to prove, despite all the struggles, that we deserve Allah’s mercy (by worship and good deeds).
We are here to strive for paradise AFTER death.
I have to change my point of view.
I have to remind my soul that this life isn’t about striving for material goods or about waiting for a perfect everyday-life. I have to remember that every problem we face (at home, at work, in our marriage or with our children, concerning health or material wealth), if welcomed with patience and an “Alhamdulillah” instead of an angry “sh…”, might lead us in the end to something much better.
I have to remind my self that every calamity we face with strength and patience, and everything good we do for the sake of Allah, will be our bonus on the day of judgement.
I remember that it is said that Allah tests those most, which He loves most.
Instead of getting disappointed about trials, I have to remind myself that, if I try to see every test as a blessing, these tests become a gift and a chance, a promise of mercy, a source of hope and a way to hopefully gain His pleasure, inchaallah.
“Know that the life in this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children. […]” (The holy Qur’an, 57/20)
“Do you think that you will enterParadisebefore Allah tests those of you who fought and also tests those who are the patient?” (The holy Qur’an, 3/142)
“And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me alone” (The holy Qur’an, 51/56)
