I've Got Your Back

It has nearly been a year since Allah blessed me with a beautiful daughter. Over the years there are many things I have learnt and understood just by being with her and spending time with her.

After becoming a parent I can understand why Allah has commanded us to be good towards our parents and why we are required to show and treat them with utmost respect. Our parents love and cater for us in a manner which we can only imagine; for even our love for our children can not compare the care and attention shown to us in our childhood by them.

It was just a few days back that I was with my daughter when she decided to scurry over to the bedside table near the bed. Despite her intention of reaching her goal as quickly as possible it was obvious that she was completely conscious and aware of her safety; her tiny fingers strained as she help onto the bed sheet whilst she used the bed for support. She made her way, step by step, to get her hands on her water bottle.

Children, with all their innocence are still aware, to some extent, of the dangers around them; they make an effort to keep safe and hold on tight whenever they feel unsafe or threatened. This I noticed from all the small things that she would do day-to-day.

When she did finally reach the water bottle she came to a slight dilemma, one one side she needed both her hands to be able to lift the bottle and drink from it and on the other hand she needed her security and safety by being able to grip the bed-sheet or nearby bedside table. However, she had to make her choice, it was one or the other.

I watched her with complete alertness as she balanced on one spot, ready to grab hold of her in case she lost her composure. A few moments later, I could not resist but give her some support to ease her tension and concentration. I placed my hand on her back and made her feel supported.

After a short pause she took complete advantage of the support and placed all her weight on my hand, completely relaxed and assured that she was safe and secure.

Point

A child is classed as a dependent; an individual who requires the full support and aid of another in order to survive. Children look towards their nourisher for security and assurance; a moment's separation brings tears to their eyes.

When a parent supports his child, that child becomes totally submissive to them, they let themselves loose and place their entire confidence and safety in the hands of those who are responsible for their upbringing.

Should we not take heed from a child and show the same trust (Tawakkul) in Allah? Should we not be prepared to let ourself go for his sake? Allah states in Surah al-Fatiha:

الحمد لله رب العالمين

"All praise be to Allah the nourisher of the worlds"

[al-Fatiha - 01:01]

In this verse Allah uses the term رب for Himself which means He who up-brings, caters and provides for everyone.

The trust of a child can be seen when you pick them up and throw them in the air, a smile is seen or a giggle is heard; the simple reason being is that they know... if a few seconds they will be in the arms of their beloved, safe and happy.

May Allah give us the strength and firm belief to place our trust in Him in a manner which it should be. May we muster the courage to hand our problems over to Him with full confidence of them being solved. May He give us the realisation that no matter how high the tides of sorrow and grief toss us in this world, with our trust in Him, it shall be in His mercy and arms that we land. Aameen.

Body Language

Recently, I have been having high fever and temperature, especially during the night. This wasn’t unexpected or a surprise to me because the boils I get usually are an indication towards the fact a fever is going to follow very soon.

Nevertheless, this fever continued for a couple of days whilst I tried to combat it with some pain killers, hoping that the matter would not reach antibiotics.

It was amazing to see how the body responded to different matters taking place internally and externally to give us a signal or indication to the fact that something is wrong or against the norm.

When we experience cold temperatures we get ‘goose bumps’, similarly when we are scared or excited our heart pace increases. There are many examples of the body speaking its own language to indicate a matter to us, a fever being just one of them.

The ‘language’ portrayed by our body is in actual fact amongst the great signs of Allah which indicates towards the truth and existence of Allah. He states:

سَنُرِيهِمْ آيَاتِنَا فِي الآفَاقِ وَفِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِ بِرَبِّكَ أَنَّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ

“Soon will we Show them Our Signs In the (furthest) regions (of the earth), and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the truth. is it not Sufficient In regard to Your Lord that He is a witness over All things?”

[Surah al-Fussilaat - 41:53]

It is in this same manner that many surroundings around us indicate towards a matter that indicates another thing; at times it will be an indication towards something that is wrong or at times it will indicate to something that requires a change or needs our attention and at all times it is the sign of Allah’s existence and the truth of Islam.

Point

At times we can understand that there are matters within this world and even our body that have their own methods and languages to portray a message to us. However, it is in the same manner that we have to realise that just as these outward and apparent things can give us an indication concerning this world, in the same manner, we can be guided from the feelings of our inner self which can also indicate to us many matters.

Our love for Allah will at endless times be questioned and tested and at these times our body language and our surroundings should become an indication to us in regards to our decision; we should be able to ‘feel’ the change and difference; we should be able to understand the language of things around us and within us that indicate to us such necessary matters.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم stated:

استفتي قلبك وان افتاك الناس وافتوك

“Consult your heart even if people give you their opinion”

This Hadeeth is clear in alert us to the fact that our heart, which is a part of our body language, indicates to us matters which can aid us in following the Deen; it is an organ, which, if looked after and cared for, can guide a man away from sins and towards Allah.

The body language of the heart will allow a person to feel content with an act that he is going to commit, if that act is pleasing to Allah. Similarly, if that act is displeasing to Allah then the heart will send a signal to him indicating a dislike and reluctance to carry out that act.

However, if the body is going to give any signals or indications, it is necessary to maintain and care for the body so that it is healthy to do so. In the same manner, if the heart is to give us indications of our Religion then it is vital that we care for and look after this heart so that it can differentiate, when the need arises, the difference between good and bad.

May Allah give us all the inclination and ability to understand the signs that He has placed for us and the strength to take actions according to these signs. May He give us the strength and courage to protect our heart so that we can use it as a guide upon the religion of Islam. Aameen.