6 AM Dump

I think it’s safe to say as humans, naturally we’re goal oriented. Even with the little things, be it wanting to do something because it makes you happy or because you know if it doesn’t make you happy now, in the long run it eventually will. But  isn’t it ironic how the same energy (or a higher level of energy preferably) isn’t given to the ultimate goal that actually matters?

We talk about finding a way to “balance” the dunya and the akhira but is that really feasible? Because the reality as we know, is the former cannot be compared to the latter. Again, I find it ironic how we might have a certain goal in mind, and in our hearts of hearts we don’t know if it’s going to turn out fine but we still put in the work. Now, with striving towards Jannah it’s not like the path to it has been made unclear. If we’re being honest, true to our fitra, filtering things we do simply through the questions of:

• What has Allah said about this?

• What am I doing?

• How can I bridge the gap between what He has prescribed for my well-being, and what I am doing as an injustice to my soul?

Then wouldn’t our lives be easier? Because what’s the use of ‘lifing’ if it isn’t in servitude to Allah?

“ Why am I here? Where am I going? What is my purpose in life? At certain stages in life, these questions may have occupied your thoughts. Allah says:

{I did not create jinn and men except so that they worship me} (51:56).

Thus, if there is one word that would capture the purpose of our life, it is ibadah.”

As always, there’s the struggle of doing what is right and doing what you feel like based on vibes or whatever. One thing that helps is knowing that just because you don’t want to do something (provided that it’s halal of course) doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it.

“Your faith is like a muscle, you need to exercise it and by the will of Allah it will get stronger.”

So the same way we push ourselves out of our comfort zones for dunya related things can we not do that for the akhirah? Or do we only give our best to this temporary life? The one which everything in it will crumble.

“The halal is clear and the haram is clear, and between them are matters unclear that are unknown to most people. Whoever is wary of these unclear matters has absolved his religion and honor. And whoever indulges in them has indulged in the haram. It is like a shepherd who herds his sheep too close to preserved sanctuary, and they will eventually graze in it. Every king has a sanctuary, and the sanctuary of Allah is what He has made haram. There lies within the body a piece of flesh. If it is sound, the whole body is sound; and if it is corrupted, the whole body is corrupted. Verily this piece is the heart."

And as a wise woman said:

“And so when you’re presented with evidences, no buts, no what if’s, no what abouts, don’t seek loopholes.

When you think about it is it really worth the risk? Aren’t there enough halal alternatives?

Oh Allah today I refused xyz, even though my heart yearns for it. I’m not sure if it’s halal or haram but I’m trying my Lord; to safeguard my faith, to safeguard this relationship. This one’s for you Allah so please reward me. Strengthen me where I’m weak and help me in fulfilling my obligations to You. Oh Allah I’m not doing enough so please make this heavy on my scale of good deeds. Oh Allah, see me.

So when it has to be made & you struggle, maybe ask yourself “Is Jannah not worth a tough call?”

Is it not? The struggle is real, trust me. It’s exhausting and a never ending battle, but there’s reward in the struggle too.

{So as for he who transgressed} (79:37)

{And preferred the life of this world,} (79:38)

{Then indeed, hellfire will be his refuge } (79:39)

{But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from unlawful inclination, } (79:40)

{Then indeed, paradise will be his refuge} (79:41)

And again, the question comes, is Jannah not worth the struggle?

Still on the same wise woman:

“The religion is easy but it is not passive. There is accountability. We have to be accountable.

We will make tough choices but we make tough calls everyday. For our children, our family, our friends, our careers, our reputation. Even for the transient things like our online influence. Wealth. Cravings.”

Can we not do this for the ultimate goal? Knowing that given we have the right intention, we strive to do it the way He wants it to be done, we hold the dunya in our hands and not our hearts, we place pleasing Allah above any and everything, we choose Him over and over again till it’s all we know and even when we fall, because we will for sure, we’ll get back and continue the fight. Because above all, death is the only thing that’s guaranteed and if the next life lasts for eternity and we aren’t striving to make it our utmost goal, then really, are we as goal oriented as we think we are?

{To the righteous it will be said, o reassured soul,} (89:27)

{Return to your Lord well-pleased and pleasing to Him} (89:28)

{And enter among My righteous servants} (89:29)

{And enter My paradise} (89:30)

me: *rethinks my whole life*

also me: it’s not about rethinking only, what steps are going to take to do better?