Mystical Mindset and Problem-Solving – Part 2
By
Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam
6 March
2024
Are All
Problems and Tragedies Mostly Caused by Sin and Disobedience?
Main
Points:
1. Disobedience
to Allah: Various Forms
2. Disobedience
to parents, lying, backbiting, slander, treachery, ignoring prayer, fury,
violence, lack of patience, abusive language, and contempt for human rights.
3. Quranic
Teachings on Behavioural Change
4. Follow
hadiths urging for good treatment in case of mistreatment.
5. Pleasing God
Almighty is the only way to overcome challenges and achieve comfort and peace.
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(File Photo)
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We
discussed how people perceive their worries in the first part of the series,
stating that concerns might be related to a variety of topics, such as life,
poverty, status, honour, dignity, and so on. The people wish to self-diagnose
their difficulties to find satisfaction, mental clarity, and solutions.
However, they must acknowledge that their issues and pains stem from their
transgressions and disobedience to the All-Powerful God. The idea that
disobedience leads to strife and obedience to peace is bolstered by the Quran
and the sayings of the Prophet. Let's continue learning more about in this
part, and Insha'Allah, we will attempt to clear up any questions raised
about this topic in the third section.
Allah
Almighty says, “And if only the people of the cities had believed and feared
Allah, We would have opened upon them blessings from the heaven and the earth;
but they denied [the messengers], so We seized them for what they were
earning." (7:96)
This verse
discusses faith and fear. Faith signifies accurate belief, while fear suggests
that a Muslim should abstain from evil behaviours. If a Muslim encounters an
evil deed, he must recall Allah's fear to prevent himself from participating in
such actions. This suggests that good deeds result in rewards and prosperity
and that bad deeds result in hardships and punishments.
He Almighty
says, “And O my people, ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him.
He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in showers and increase you in
strength [added] to your strength. And do not turn away, [being]
criminals." (11:52)
“He will
send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers, and give you
increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you
rivers.” (71:11-12)
These two
verses speak about piety, asking for forgiveness, and turning from sins in
order to receive benefits and favours. When an intelligent and knowledgeable
person realises that sins and disobedience are the sources of all sufferings
and pains, they must turn from their sins and disobedience to Allah Almighty.
“And
whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out and will provide for him
from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is
sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has
already set for everything a [decreed] extent.” (65:2-3)
This verse
describes devotion as the source of salvation and an abundance of divine
blessings. It also implies that sin and disobedience are the causes of
hardships, a shortage of food, and a decline in blessings.
Allah says,
“And Allah presents an example: a city which was safe and secure, its
provision coming to it in abundance from every location, but it denied the
favours of Allah. So Allah made it taste the envelopment of hunger and fear for
what they had been doing.” (16:112)
When read
in context, this verse serves as a mirror that lets people in every country and
community see and evaluate their circumstances. Upon repeatedly reading the
verse translation with our current circumstances in mind, it will become
evident that there is no distinction between us and the inhabitants of these
settlements mentioned in this verse, regardless of whether we currently
identify as members of the majority or the minority.
Acts of
disobedience to Allah Almighty are frequent in today's world and can take many
different forms, including disobedience to parents, lying, backbiting, slander,
treachery, ignoring prayer, fury, violence, lack of patience, abusive language,
and contempt for other human rights. These are not just the actions of Muslims
in India; they also happen in countries where the majority of people are
Muslims, such as Pakistan, which was established in the name of Islam.
We should
have followed Allah's instructions, demonstrated the sincerity of our faith,
and thanked Allah for the great bounty that is life. But we disregarded
religious and moral teachings, which is why we are presently facing adverse
conditions. If we assess our behaviour from a moral and religious standpoint,
we can notice that it has become more and more non-Islamic. rather than
confronting and resolving these problems as Muslims, we are wasting time on
meaningless subjects.
We must
acknowledge that our present conditions are the result of our actions. Thus, we
should continuously remind ourselves of the Quranic verses stated above and
seek guidance to alter our behaviour first. Remember that we should not put up
with behaviour that involves anyone harassing, discriminating against, or
mistreating Muslims because of their religion or faith. A hadith that states
that you should treat someone nicely if they mistreat you must be followed.
As Muslims,
we maintain that all blessings in the world, including wealth, status and
honour, health and physical well-being, peace and tranquillity, etc., are owned
and preserved by Allah Almighty. Given that Allah Ta'ala is the proprietor and
custodian of all blessings, contemplate whether anything can be appropriated
without the consent of the All-Powerful, within whose realm neither theft nor
force can occur. No, not at all! The conclusion is that pleasing Allah is the
only way to go through challenges and obtain comfort and peace of mind. The
first step to pleasing Allah Almighty is to ask for forgiveness. Following
that, one needs to behave well and carry out good things.
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Kaniz
Fatma is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam.
Part
One: Mystical Mindset
and Problem-Solving – Part 1
URL: https://newageislam.com/debating-islam/mystical-mindset-problem-solving-part-2/d/131858
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