WE ARE BEING TESTED WITH LIFE & DEATH. Only Good Deeds Will Guarantee Success.

 

We Are Being Tested

With Life & Death.

Only Good Deeds Will

Guarantee Success

(M. Javed Naseem)

 

تَبَـٰرَكَ ٱلَّذِى بِيَدِهِ ٱلْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌ

ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَٱلْحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًۭا

وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفُورُ ۚ

'Blessed is the One in Whose Hands rests all authority.

And He is Most Capable of everything. He is the One

Who created death and life in order to test which of you

is best in deeds. And He is the Almighty, All-Forgiving.'

(al-Quran 67:1-2)

Allah is the Almighty, the Supreme Creator. He created the wonderful universe. And He created us – humans – as well as the life and death, so that we don't take it for granted that we are going to stay in this world, enjoying good life or suffering bad life, for ever. There is an end to everything and we are reminded of that, day in and day out, in our lives. The wise people get the message and they try to keep the balance in good and bad. Our best assets in this life are compassion, love, good manners and character based on honesty, sincerity, justice and sharing.

Allah says in the Quran, Surah al-Mulk, that both life and death are tests for us so that we remain mindful of Allah and keep doing the right things. Believers are supposed to promote good and forbid evil. The verse in question is a reminder or a warning to us so that we don't go astray. Or if we have gone astray, we revert back to the right path. There is also a psychological aspect of this verse of Surah al-Mulk. The worst thing a human is afraid of, is death. Therefore, when man reminds himself that he may die anytime, he might restrain himself from doing evil. Therefore, the death works as a deterrent. When we are going through bad times, we pray and remember Allah. We ask Him for help and relief. And when we are enjoying good/happy life, most of us even forget to thank Allah for all those blessings and bounties. So, that happy or good life also becomes a test or a trial for us. It reflects how we behave.

We are created to serve Allah and obey His commands. Being Allah's servants mean that we cannot do anything against the rules or instructions He laid down for us in the Book. Now, how much of this loyalty, faithfulness and obedience do we achieve or show, is the real test. The more and better we do, the more successful we will be considered. So, the success in this life is measured by our good deeds and the reward of those good deeds will be given to us in the form of Paradise (Jannah) in the Hereafter. That's why it is said that this world is a test or trial.

Allah knows well that we are weak and cannot achieve our goal perfectly; so He gives us some concessions and tells us to do as much good as we can. Don't kill yourself in this mission of 'doing good'! You can do a little but you are required to do it consistently. Make it a habit of doing good to others regularly, even if it is small in material value. Allah does not demand perfection from us but consistency and regularity. It is not the quantity that matters, but the quality. Allah values our Iman, our effort and loyalty, our sincerity and our intentions. The Most Merciful Allah tells us:

'We have not sent down to you the Quran

that you be distressed. But only as an

admonition to those who fear (Allah).'

(al-Quran 20:2-3)

So, don't distress yourself. Take it easy. Slow and steady does it. Do good as much as you can but do it regularly and consistently. That will prove your loyalty to your Creator.

Now, here comes another slogen: 'The best way to serve Allah is to serve mankind!' As a matter of fact, this expression is true. Allah wants us to live in this world as one community, one family, taking care of each other. We are supposed to help those who are in need; or those who are facing hardships; or those who are less fortunate. Some of those people might ask you for help but others won't even ask. They ask Allah for help. And that's where you come into picture. Your help to those in need is counted as a service to humanity and Allah rewards such good deeds based on compassion, sympathy and humanity. It is like giving a loan to Allah Who will return it to us manyfold on the Day of Judgment. And that's the real success.

The Most Merciful is also the Wisest. He established the Day of Judgment to remind us that there will be accountability. Justice will be delivered. And that's a great warning to those who commit injustice and oppression. They are given ample time to correct themselves, repent and compensate for the losses they incurred on others. If they don't remedy their evil and harmful acts before their death, they will be punished in the Hereafter. And that's the worst thing than can happen to a soul. In the Hereafter, there will be no death. That life is everlasting. Therefore, if you are awarded Paradise (Jannah) you'll stay there forever. But if you are destined to Hell, just like the Devil/Iblees, you are going to stay in Hellfire forever. So, we should think a hundred times before we commit an evil deed or injustice.

Remember one thing! There is NO such thing as 'getting away' when you do injustice to others or hurt others. You may not be punished right away and you might think that you 'got away' with it. Wrong! Every deed and action is being recorded and the register of those records will be thrown on your face on the Day of Judgment. The justice shall be delivered; it is only a matter of time. Don't separate your Hereafter (Aakhirah) from your World (Douniya). Your death is the link between those two sessions. The only thing is that you won't be able to do anything in the Hereafter to win Paradise. It is here and now, in this world. You work here on this side, on your Hereafter and you will see the results on the other side. The play-ground is here. The rules are laid down and the game is on. How wisely and intelligently, within those rules, you play, will decide your success or failure. The time to act and time to earn is here and now! Any moment, any hour, any day or any year lost, will never come back to you. It will never be compensated. So, spend your time wisely.

We, as humans, always make mistakes. We are all sinners. But the best sinners in the eyes of Allah, the Most Merciful, are those who repent and ask Allah for forgiveness and mercy. The best thing is that whenever we ask for His forgiveness and mercy, we are NEVER denied. We are ALWAYS granted. Therefore, take advantage of the compassion of the Most Merciful! What the world needs today is good souls, good intentions, good deeds and compassion. Positive change benefits all of us and all of us should contribute towards that goal. 'Art is long and the time is fleeting'.

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