SEEKING NEARNESS TO ALLAH – FIRST STEPS TO THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY





Islam is often called the deen or the path, implying there is a destination. And many of us are focused on that destination. We all want peace and nearness to God and Jannah in the hereafter.

But what many of us don’t think enough about is that a path in and of itself is useless if we do not move in the direction we wish to go. A path requires our effort, movement.

But what many of us don’t think enough about is that a path in and of itself is useless if we do not move in the direction we wish to go. A path requires our effort, movement.

This is something many new Muslims (and even heritage Muslims) often get tripped up by. They are told to just jump on the path and life will be better, easier, more fulfilling. But this isn’t true if there is no effort or movement thereafter.

The part that is often missed is that living Islam, moving forward on the path, can actually make life easier and even miraculous. But it requires movement, effort on our part. Simply jumping on the path and standing still won’t cut it.

LOOKING FOR PEACE IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES


Drawing closer to God isn’t just spirituality, it is our purpose:

I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me. (Quran 51:56)

And when we fulfill this purpose, we feel fulfilled in the deepest, most profound sense. Life comes into focus and we will feel at peace.

But, as new Muslims, what does it actually take to draw nearer to God, to build a relationship with God, to have this peace in our hearts?

HOW TO TRAVEL THE DEEN


God does not make us guess or use trial and error to figure out how to build a relationship with Him. He tells us again and again what this looks like.

BOUNDARIES


Setting up and maintaining boundaries is an important part of any relationship. If boundaries are not communicated they will be trampled. If they are not maintained the relationship will crumble.

Allah (SWT) is very clear about the boundaries He sets up for our relationship with Him.

Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly gone far astray. (Quran 4:116)

Stepping over this boundary and associating anything with God not only stops one’s tracks on the path, it removes one from the path all together.

God is one. If we set up false partners to Him, if we put anything in God’s place, then we have not only invented a repulsive lie, we have stepped over the most important boundary.

RESPECT


In order to have a healthy relationship with anyone, we have to have and show respect. We have to think positively of the one with whom we are in a relationship and believe that he or she has good qualities worthy of our esteem and admiration.

To a much greater degree, this is true of our relationship with Allah (SWT). God tells us of His names and attributes so that we can know Him and understand the ultimate esteem and admiration He should be held in.

Learning the names and attributes of God will allow our respect and awe for Him to deepen.

In addition to learning the names and attributes, respect for Him also means thinking well of God. This is essential to our relationship with Him. The Prophet (PBUH) said that:

One of the signs of excellence of one’s worship is thinking well of Allah. (Narrated in Ahmad)

TRUST


Trust is essential in every relationship that is lasting. It is a belief that the one with whom we are in a relationship will do things for our benefit and will not do anything malicious or harmful to us.

Our trust of God is the basis of our faith. It is what sets us down the path. And it must go well beyond the trust we have of any other. It is the belief that we can depend on Him to provide for us, grant us forgiveness, guide us to truth, and so much more.

And He will provide him from [sources] he could never imagine. And whoever puts their trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Indeed, Allah has set a measure for all things. (Quran 65:3)

Trust in God also means that we do not think ill of Him when we think our life isn’t going the way we want. Trust in God is believing that everything we experience in the path is good for us. If we find pain in the path and we have patience, we are rewarded. If we find ease and we are thankful, we are rewarded.

COMMUNICATION


If you haven’t talked to someone you knew from High School for over ten years, would you think that you were in any kind of relationship with that person? If you are sane, you wouldn’t. All relationships require communication.

And the better the relationship, the more frequent the communication. When it comes to our relationship with Allah, we must return to Him in communication at a bare minimum five times a day in prayer.

Reading Quran and dua are also powerful tools to stay in touch on the path. In dua we talk to God. In reading the Quran, we are listening to God. If we do not turn to Allah (SWT) and talk to Him and actively listen, then how can we have any kind of relationship with Him?

MINDFULNESS


Mindfulness is thinking about the one with whom we are in a relationship. It is thinking about and doing all that would bring you closer and avoiding the things that what would pull you apart.

In our relationship with Allah (SWT), mindfulness is called taqwa– God Consciousness. When we are constantly mindful of Allah (SWT), our thoughts and actions all reflect our desire to be near Him and avoid anything that will take us further away from Him. This means that we will fulfill all that Allah asks us- such as the five pillars; and avoid injustice, evil, and all that is haram.

MEETING GOD ON THE PATH


These are the basic actions needed to move forward on the path, to move toward God, to find peace.

But the most amazing thing is that, if you do these things, sincerely seeking nearness to Allah (SWT), Allah makes a greater effort to come near to you, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

Allah says […] ‘He who comes closer to Me one span, I come closer to him a cubit (a greater measurement); and he who comes closer to Me a cubit, I come closer to him a fathom (a greater measurement); and if he comes to Me walking, I come to him running. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Along with fear and love of Allah, modesty is a requisite of faith. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) made it clear that modesty is part of faith (Muslim).

The reference is not to natural bashfulness, which we profess and practice in our mutual relations, but to the modesty that man must practice in his relationship with Allah.

If we are not modest in our relationship with Allah, it will undermine modesty in other relationships, resulting in a loss of aesthetic beauty.

WHAT’S TRUE MODESTY?


Modesty has a bearing on human life in a variety of ways and defends man against Satan’s snares. In the following hadith, the Prophet (PBUH) brings out its comprehensive function:

Abdullah ibn Masud reported that the Prophet (PBUH) observed,“Be of true shyness of Allah.”

When those present affirmed that they were modest, he guided them to the real meaning of modesty. According to the hadith, true modesty is to:

– be watchful of one’s mental faculties and the ideas which one entertains;

– keep an eye on one’s stomach and what it consumes;

– be constantly mindful of one’s death and the disintegration of one’s body in the grave.

– Besides, one who looks forward to the Hereafter does not run after the joys of this life.

And meeting these qualities makes one truly modest towards Allah. (At-Tirmidhi)

MAIN ELEMENTS OF MODESTY


Divine attributes infuse into one the consciousness of the need to maintain modesty. Those who possess true knowledge of these attributes have strong belief in them and feel genuinely shy of Allah.

By contrast, those ignorant of divine attributes, or those who are not careful about them, are not shy of Allah or fellow human beings. They are little better than animals who do not have any perception of modesty.

Let us illustrate the above point of how a correct perception of certain attributes infuses into one the virtue of modesty and its impact upon conduct. Of all the divine attributes, the idea of His perfect knowledge makes one really conscious of one’s own conduct.The believer should be always mindful that Allah watches each and every act (An-Nisaa’ 4:1).

Likewise, one should have the conviction that He is aware of the treachery committed by the eyes and of the secrets within the breast (Ghafir 40:19). It is also important to realize that we are always accompanied by Allah.

{There is no whispering among three but He is their fourth, nor among five but He is their sixth, nor fewer nor more, but He is with them wheresoever they may be} (Al-Mujadilah 58:7)

Evidently, those who believe in the import of that verse cannot commit any misdeed, even in privacy, which may embarrass them in the sight of Allah, for they cannot conceive of any place where they are not seen by Allah.

This persuades them that any sin they commit is being observed by Allah. Only a pervert or fearless person could commit a crime while conscious of that reality.

Day and night we observe numerous manifestations of Allah’s glory and power. In the face of these, we should not entertain any false notion about our own supremacy and greatness. Man is no more than a fly or an ant in this vast universe. The mountains around us are high in comparison to us. Compared to the oceans, we scarcely weigh a drop.

Given this, if we think highly of ourselves and walk around arrogantly, it is a sort of self-mockery. A parable tells of a fly that sat on a bull’s horn. After some time, the fly asked the bull whether it should move away lest its weight burden the bull. The bull replied that it was unaware of the fly’s existence and it was immaterial to it whether the fly sat there or not.

The same is true, in a measure, for certain arrogant people who attach too much importance to themselves. They walk arrogantly on earth and always speak in harsh tones. While admonishing them, Allah tells them,

{And do not strut on the earth insolently. You will not by any means rend the earth. Nor can you match the mountains in stature.}(Al-Israa’ 17:37)

Human beings stand nowhere in comparison to the numerous manifestations of Allah’s power and glory. Therefore, we should be all the more modest and humble.

We should take to heart the truth that all our faculties and resources are granted to us only by Allah. We are not the creators of any of these and we do not possess them except by His leave.

If we realize this, we are less liable to commit ingratitude or disobedience or rebellion. We cannot do anything without drawing upon the very resources granted by Allah.

Human beings are favored with these resources so that we may lead our lives as grateful and obedient servants of Allah. However, if we abuse these in favor of treachery and rebellion, it constitutes a heinous crime. So, we should be constantly and profoundly aware that it is Allah Who has blessed us with these favors. The Quran reiterates this truth many times.

Some persons think very highly of their contribution to the faith. They mistakenly consider themselves as the ones who have done good for Allah and His Messenger. However, even the greatest sacrifice offered by them does not really belong to them. If they donate money in His cause, money was granted in the first place to them by Allah.

If they suffer the delusion that they earned their wealth by dint of their talents and skills, they should not forget that those same talents and skills were granted by Allah.

Even if people sacrifice their lives for the sake of Allah, they should think more of their failings than of the sacrifice they are making.

This acknowledgement of our inability to do anything worthwhile in Allah’s cause and this repentance are the very essence of all acts of worship and obedience. The Quran identifies it as the spirit of humanness. The Quran reproaches some people for their mistaken belief that they did a favor for Allah and His Messenger by embracing Islam.

They are told that they have not made any favor. Rather, they should be grateful to Allah that He guided them to Islam.

MEANING OF THANKFULNESS


Thankfulness is a word that – along with gratitude – means praise and exaltation, and herein lies its worth and merit.

What is important is that the tongue utters gratitude while feeling it in the heart, and acknowledging from deep inside that God, as the source of every good bestowed, deserves all thanks that is sent.

With every blink of the eye and beat of the heart, Allah acquaints mankind with Himself through the blessings He bestows and the good things He sends.

These blessings and bounties, which are renewed throughout every day and every night, should be received with recognition for and thanks to the One Who Bestowed them.

It is He Who made the night and the day follow each other, for such who desires to remember or desires to show gratitude. (25: 62)

If you provide someone with food, give him shelter, pay off his debts, or raise him to a high rank, and he then frowns upon you or gives you his back despite the kindness shown to him, you would perceive him as someone without whom earth would be a better place.

What do you think about the Lord of existence – Who creates out of nothing, provides sustenance and clothing, and showers down His Graces and Favors year after year – when He sees that those living and rejoicing in His Blessings are stern and steadfast opponents of Him!

He has created man from Nutfah (mixed drops of male and female sexual discharge), then behold, this same man becomes an open opponent. (16: 4)

INGRATITUDE


Ingratitude is baseness. The incessant flow of bounties is just repaid with turning the back to their Giver and disobeying Him in His watchful Presence.

With persistence in such behavior, the right to more is diminished to nothing. Therefore is the command to mankind to thank and express gratitude to Him, their Lord.

Gratitude is not a difficult duty that has to be borne with patience; rather, it is the road to perfection that people must walk with determination and purpose.

O you who believe, eat of the good things that We have provided for you, and give thanks to Allah, if it is truly Him that you worship. (2: 172)

Thankfully acknowledging Allah’s Favors with sweet composure and acquiescence of the heart towards the Maker makes a person worthy of receiving more. Blessings in his hands are like water poured on a fertile land that bursts with flowers and fruits. Pouring more cannot be withheld or reduced.

Contrarily, watering a barren land is a waste, and therefore water is cut off.

If you give thanks, I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless, verily My Punishment is indeed severe. (14: 7)

Severe punishment is thus deserved for the evilness of ingratitude.

What will people lose if they enjoy the Blessings of Allah with a thankful heart that acknowledges the Bestower and says to Him, “Thank You.” Or is this too difficult?

THE PROPHET’S THANKFULNESS


Gratitude is more a feeling than mere movement of the lips, a feeling that was superbly translated into sincere actions and behaviors throughout the day and life of Prophet Muhammad.

Whenever he woke up, he would say:

All praise and thanks to Allah Who restored to me my soul, made my body healthy, and allowed me to remember Him.

Whenever he finished eating, he would say:

All praise and thanks to Allah Who fed us, quenched our thirst, and made us Muslims.

Whenever he returned from relieving himself, he would say:

All praise and thanks to Allah Who made me taste its (food) good flavor, retained within me its power (strength and energy derived from food), and removed from me its harm.

Whenever he wore a new garment, he would say:

All praise and thanks to Allah Who has clothed me with this garment and provided it for me, with no power or might from myself.

Whenever he returned from traveling, he would say:

We are returning, repenting, worshiping, and praising our Lord.

Whenever something happened that pleased him, he would say:

All praise and thanks to Allah by Whose Blessings all good things are perfected.

And whenever something happened that displeased him, he would say:

All praise and thanks to Allah in all circumstances.

And he prayed:

O Allah, help me remember You, thank You, and perfect my worship of You.

SATAN’S PLAN


What plan did Satan have against mankind after he was expelled from heaven?

His vengeful endeavors were to rob mankind of contentment and make them ungrateful.

His vengeful endeavors were to distract them and cover their insight with veils of heedlessness, so that they eat the Bounties of Allah and do not thank Him and see His Grand Signs and do not glorify Him.

When beasts find food, they devour it, sensible of nothing else. And when they lack food, they feel hungry, sensible of nothing else. When healthy, they run and jump. But when sick, they lie down and rest, sensible of nothing else.

They know no patience with affliction or thankfulness for bounties.

This is the kind of life that Satan wants mankind to live, neither to remember nor thank Allah.

This was the oath of Satan on the day he was driven out of heaven.

I will surely lie in wait for those on Your Straight Path. Then I will come to them from in front and from behind and from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them grateful (to You). (7: 17)

THE CONSEQUENCES OF INGRATITUDE


The worst of ingratitude is when it is a collective feeling into which an entire nation slides. As if there is a written agreement among them not to mention anything good about Allah, and to gorge His Bounties and ascribe them to anyone other than Him.

Were previous nations, such as ‘Ad and Thamud, destroyed for any cause other than ingratitude?

It was said to ‘Ad:

Remember that He made you successors after the people of Nuh (Noah), and increased you amply in stature. So remember the graces (bestowed on you) from Allah, so that you may be successful. (7: 69)

It was said to Thamud:

Remember that He made you successors after ‘Ad (people); and gave you habitations in the land, you build for yourselves palaces in plains, and carve out homes in the mountains. So remember the graces (bestowed on you) from Allah, and do not go about making mischief on the earth. (7: 74)

The flood of blessings and bounties that flowed throughout their land was nothing to these people. Consequently, they were deprived of what they were ungrateful for; dispossessed of what they denied, and torment was justified against them.

Mankind is warned not to tread such pernicious paths.

Remember Me, I will remember you. And be thankful to Me and do not be ungrateful. (2: 152)

But despite Allah’s Warnings, only few are those who acknowledge His Favors or feel grateful.

But few of My slaves are grateful. (34: 13)