Every
passenger needs to know about different aspects of its course in order
to reach its destination without any problem. We all take precautionary
measures and try to be on the safer side while setting out on a long
journey, so that we do not have to suffer from any mishaps.
Same way, the Religion of Islam also regards human life as a passage way towards eternal life of the hereafter, and advises its followers to remain on the rightful alleyway and avoid many distractions of this world which lead to failure. The Holy Prophet ﷺ is reported by An-Nawwas bin Sam`an to have said about this matter:
Same way, the Religion of Islam also regards human life as a passage way towards eternal life of the hereafter, and advises its followers to remain on the rightful alleyway and avoid many distractions of this world which lead to failure. The Holy Prophet ﷺ is reported by An-Nawwas bin Sam`an to have said about this matter:
(Allah
has set an example: a Sirat (straight path) that is surrounded by two
walls on both sides, with several open doors within the walls covered
with curtains. There is a caller on the gate of the Sirat who heralds,
‘O people! Stay on the path and do not deviate from it.’
Meanwhile,
a caller from above the path is also warning any person who wants to
open any of these doors, ‘Woe unto you! Do not open it, for if you open
it you will pass through.’ The straight path is Islam; the two walls are
Allah’s set limits, while the doors resemble what Allah has prohibited. The caller on the gate of the Sirat is the Book of Allah, while the caller above the Sirat is Allah’s admonishment in the heart of every Muslim.) (Imam Ahmad)
How
beautifully the Apostle of Allah, Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ has summed up the
notion of Sirat al-Mustaqim (the Correct Way of Life in Islam) in this
Hadith that it is compared to a track with walls (constraints defined by
the Almighty) on both sides of it having numerous doors (diversions of
life). Being a true believer, one has to take help from Allah SWT and
His Sacred Book, Quran Majeed so as to stay on the Islamic Approach of
existence.
“O
you, who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it
has put forth for tomorrow – and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted
with what you do.” [Quran, 59: 18]
The
above mentioned Ayah discusses the matter of maintaining the right
means of living by having fear of Allah SWT, Who Sees over all actions.
The concept of worldly life in
the Religion of Peace is nothing but a place to test one`s faith in
Islam through its performance. A true disciple knows that all deeds done
in this world will be assessed on the Day of Judgment. So, the fear of
the Almighty Lord is the most essential belief of a Muslim that helps to
attain the correct style of livelihood.
Praying Allah SWT for Steadfastness on Islamic Way of Life
Having concrete belief in Allah`s Command over everything, and with modesty in one`s behavior before the Almighty, a true Muslim always
seeks help from Him for removing all kinds of troubles and granting him
happiness of life. One also pleads to God, the Exalted for an approved
means of living during daily prayers, while reciting Surah al-Fatiha:
Guide us to the straight path.” [Quran
It
means that asking the Almighty Lord for sake of faithfulness towards
one`s religion is the central idea of Islamic conviction, because first
of all a true believer firmly believes in Allah`s Supreme Command over
everything: second, it is the indispensable part of a Muslim`s faith to
remain resolute on the right path. The Holy Prophet used to supplicate
the Gracious God in the following way:
O Allah! I ask you for guidance, piety, chastity, and independence.” (Muslim)
No
one was ever committed to the instructions of the Religion of Peace
than Hazrat Muhammad,Who acted as the Best Example for His followers in
every regard, yet He ﷺ always asked Allah SWT for assistance for His
Guidance in granting piousness and purity in all matters. So, it shows
that one should always seek help from Allah to be able to adopt and stay
on Sirat al-Mustaqim.
iii) Reading the Holy Quran
The
Sacred Book of Quran is the definitive source of enlightenment and
wisdom for all the Muslims. Therefore, to be on Sirat al Mustaqim, one
should read, understand, and learn the Holy Quran because
it comprehensively addresses many aspects of spiritual as well as other
matters concerning life to make its readers fully aware of them. It has
got many Holy Verses which emphasize on the followers of Islam to take
on righteousness and not to avoid its commandments.
Who
say], Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and
grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.” [Quran, 3:
8]
The
above mentioned Ayah shows that one should constantly ask the Almighty
for one`s own adherence to Sirat al-Mustaqim as there are countless
distractions in one`s life which could make it forget the true way of
existence. Furqan e Hameed repeatedly informs the believers about ways
of adopting uprightness in life:
Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is the straight path.” [Quran, 3: 51]
The
Islamic Aqeedah (Faith) calls for believing in One God, Allah SWT, Whom
no one else can be compared with in respect of His Veneration and
Honor. That is considered to be the benchmark for entering the circle of
Islam, which eventually leads to the correct course of living according
to the teachings of this religion.
iv) Believing Guidance is Only from Allah
Believing
in the Greatness of the Almighty also requires having clear
consciousness about every matter of life in His Hands only. It is
commonly observed that most of the Muslims today lose the true essence
of Islamic way of life by looking for help from other people, e.g. Sufis
and Mullas and believing in them as the definite collaborators in
removing their worries. Allah says in the Holy Quran:
He
whom Allah guides is the [rightly] guided, but he whom He leaves astray
– never will you find for him a protecting guide.” [Quran, 18:17]
So,
there is no room for asking someone else instead of the Most Merciful
for guidance and Sirat al-Mustaqim, Who has the Power over lending the
right path whoever He wants. There is a great need for care in this
regard, which implies that righteous people of the Creator of the
universe are only means (Waseela) to seeking Allah`s Assistance, and not
the actual helpers.
In
short, Sirat al-Mustaqim is the true spirit of living one`s life, i.e.
according to the Islamic teachings. It asks for remaining resolute on
one`s faith through adopting morality and decency in every walk of life.
One can implement the right path in its life by having concrete
devotion to its religious convictions through fearing, asking for state
of uprightness believing in Allah SWT as the Sole Benefactor in every
matter of life, and also through reading the Holy Quran.
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