I can never forget that stormy night in Turkey. As I hurried out of a shop, the same corn seller with torn clothes stood in the rain & as usual being ignored. Quietly, he watched families enjoy, laugh, buy expensive clothes, eat food & enter expensive cars. I asked him for a corn. Confused, he paused for a second and quickly looked into my eyes, as if I would leave if he tells me a higher price. Humbly he said, “1.5 lira”. As I said “ok”, his face glowed with an innocent smile, happy that I didn’t ask him to reduce the price. That smile would have healed the heart that was wounded in the past after seeing the sight of people in a shinny air conditioned car insisting him under a scorching sun to give them 3 corns for 1 lira, and he sadly accepting it after realizing that they would leave if he didn’t accept it. They would waste hundreds on useless fun, but never give him a bit extra then he asks for.One of them told me that he never saw his parents and grew up in a mess. I swear that I would have been in worst condition had my parents not drummed the importance of education into my mind.
Here In Jeddah, I have met many foreigners taxi drivers, waiters, car cleaners…etc. who haven’t seen their families for years. They were persuaded & shown false bright future in KSA and now they are sinking under the heavy loan written against their name. These slaves don’t have any rights. A false case can put them in jail for life. 20 hours of intense work, inhuman salaries, sleepless nights, severe headaches, facing insulting behavior and other sufferings are their common problems. They don’t know, but I know why there is always a satisfied look on their face and a tense look on mine. Because, after death, it would be my turn to sweat hard for justifying each and every bit of my possession, how I got it, and where did I “prefer” to spend it. But they don’t have anything to be questioned for. They have logical excuses for not praying, fasting, giving charity,…etc. but the angels of punishment won’t show any mercy for me…
*May Allah (swt) bless us to limit our own & family needs to the extent possible, only for the love of Allah (swt) & the Prophet (saw), to save ourselves & our family members from the harsh questioning that awaits us *. The majority of Jannah comprise of poor people of this world. For rich, charity is a blessing.
Through email a person sent me a valid point. He questioned the possibility of satisfaction on the faces of people going through such tough times of their life. I have to share my views here to clear this misunderstanding I created through my words.
The satisfaction I see on their faces is of the student whose paper was made extremely difficult by the examiner and he expects leniency in marking from the examiner, because both he and the Examiner know that even if he only attempts the question of 'patience' and 'thankfulness' his chances of passing are quite high. Their environment didn't allow them the time and focus to attempt more questions. In my exam the paper was made too easy compared to others without as many hurdles, so strict marking and attempting of more questions is expected in order for Justice to prevail. Secondly, they know their difficulties are for quite a short time and the reward of only remaining patient and thankful is forever in the hereafter. On the other hand, I know my luxuries are for a very short time and the questioning for the right utilization of my assets (blessings of Allah) would be too long in the life hereafter.
Of course I am also hopeful and pray that Allah would forgive me and would be lenient with me in spite of having deeds (up till now) that wouldn't allow me to be able to face our Prophet (saw) due to shame. But still I can't take Allah's mercy for granted, specially after having a life that Allah and HIS most beloved prophet didn't expect me to have (so many fard and sunnahs missing). The fear of Allah's punishment is also must in order to complete one's Imaan. I am not sure if I make any sense, just my humble views how I sincerely feel. In case I am wrong, please pray to Allah (swt) to guide me towards the right path.
This was a very nice read, thanks alot for sharing. I agree with you and the example you gave was very nice. Indeed this life is an exam and we ought to give it a best and make the best out of what knowledge we have been given/gained. Unfortunately most priviledged ones (the knowledgable and gifted ones) believe they are given the goods because they deserve out and not because they are put on a test to make sure they make the right and the good use of it.
This reminds me of someone who can't stop boosting on the fact that she and her family goes on "hajj" and "umrah" every year, she think that is suppose to mean Allah is extreemly happy with her. In the begining i use to feel angry at such people but now all i feel sorry for them and even feel like chuckling at them now and then. They fail to see that instead of making trips every year which result in absolutely no change in them, they can use the same money to help a poor/needy person. They don't have to go there every year to prove anything or to even feel closer to Allah. There is so much around us which we should be working on being the priviledged ones. How can someone think its justified of them to be going for pilgrimage every year instead of using the same money to help have poor family wed their daughter/son or give the same money for welfare of the unpriveldged ones.
At times i feel if we are really this stupid or just blindfold ourself from the truth?!.
One afternoon our Imam in the masjid got a message from a boy who was doing 'Hifz' in a madrasah. The boy had written: " Today the dars started without breakfast and continued till now, and I haven't eaten anything" Brought tears to the eyes of the Imam.
Maulana Tariq was once invited for a dinner along with his student. After the dinner, Maulana saw his student siting in a corner, weeping. When asked the reason he said: "The amount of meal that has been wasted here tonight, it could have sufficed for my whole month"
That is a great read bro. Very enlightening, even more so in context of the environment we live in, where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. It's really sad to see people driving expensive cars try and haggle with poor vendors and deprive them of their rightful compensation.