Tragedy with Human being is this phrase "What is in it for me?" Human being from infancy till dead-bed has this inherent germs. An infant cries out because it's only interest is in mother's milk for food and nourishment, as it grows up and joins childhood, need sets upgraded with stubbornness for fun, play, and Hoo Haa. Adolescence comes with grooming, youthfulness, entertainment, style and vogue then comes the 'young adulthood' where responsibility in terms of academia, job, skills takes place and carefree life fad-away. Adulthood grips the rope of horses and start racing for status, popularity, stringent life style, selection of life partner and worth-fulness and finally 'concern(s)' takes old age till it envelops the official 'The End'.
Therefore, the whole human journey can be concluded as struggle for existence (tangible and intangible). But, there is a Huge BUT!!! with an intimacy of this burning question:
Why 'concern(s)' follows death? Why Not satisfaction?
Why our minds are trapped in the bugle of concerns?
Is it because we don't know how to walk on straight path? OR Our life is like a 'dry leaf' which just falls down from the tree and its destiny depends on the 'gust of wind' (satan). Its up to us whether to wait for a gust (insignificance added) or Ignite our inner self (emphasis added)
Our Great Poet and Philosopher Dr. Iqbal said in Zarb-i-Kalim:
KINGSHIP
The lofty states of faqr are known to few,
The faqr that brings the soul of Quran to view.
When selfhood sees its sway and upper hand,
This exalted state the folk as kingship brand.
This rank gives verdict of a Muslimʹs worth,
And makes him vicegerent of God on earth.
You have got bondage as a fit reward,
For you have failed to keep on faqr a guard,
Prostration made like moon his forehead shine,
Alas! the Franks have snatched that essence fine,
Your stars have lost their pristine glow and sheen
That made them rivals of Sun and Moon so keen.
Allah SWT said in Holy Quran 3:92
"By no means shall ye Attain righteousness unless Ye give (freely) of that Which ye love; and whatever Ye give, of a truth Allah knoweth it well".
Abdullah Yusuf Ali (Rahmatullah Alaih) beautifully explains this Ayah in his running commentary:
Quote, "The Test of charity is: do you give something that you value greatly, something that you love? If you give your life in a Cause, that is the greatest gift you can give. If you give yourself, that is, your personal efforts, your talents, your skill, your learning, that comes next in degree. If you give your earnings, your property, your possessions, that is also a great gift; for many people love them even more than other things. And there are less tangible things, such as position, reputation, the well-being of those we love, the regard of those who can help us, etc. It is unselfishness that Allah demands, and there is no act of unselfishness, however small or intangible, but is well within the knowledge of Allah, unquote.
The fame thing is, there are few in history who had achieved this Upright Position. "What is in it for me?" Syndrome brings about profound energies of selfishness which is in consequence completely change our personality. At climax, parents are forced to live in old houses, our well-wishers, wives, siblings, devoted friends, obedient employees etc are worst treated than enemies, which is incomparable with barbaric beasts. There are needy people around us who are pleading for food, water, cloths, jobs, children's education, money for daughters' marriage, commuting fare, guidance, direction, motivation, hope, piteous parents (who are ignored by cruel children), needy neighbors, neglected orphans, widows etc. Our eyes can see them and with blink of lashes ignore them. We destroy and mock with the careers of our talented youth and do not give them jobs and make them feel deprived. I have seen some brilliant and poor students who can't get jobs because of these Pharaohs (Employer(s) and Owner(s) of the Company) and as a result they are driving Taxis, Rickshaws, and doing odd jobs. But these Pharaohs never realized that the powers, dwellings and wealth on which they feel proud these belongs to Allah SWT.
Dr. Israr Ahmed (Rahmatullah Alaih) expound explicitly in his commentary on Surah Takasur and Surah Humazah which is specially compiled for our learning:
Allah SWT warns us (Disobedient Muslims) in Surah Muhammad 47:38
"Behold, ye are those Invited to spend (Of your substance) In the Way of Allah: But among you are some That are niggardly. But any Who are niggardly are so At the expense of Their own soul, But Allah is free Of all wants, And it is ye that are needy. If ye turn back (From the Path), He will Substitute in your stead Another people; then THEY WOULD NOT BE LIKE YOU!"
Our Great Poet Mr. Faiz Ahmed Faiz seems to spotlight the above verse of Quran as:
The life of our Hero Prophet Muhammad SAW (The Greatest Man ever lived on earth) is filled with "Excellence in Human Services". He (SAW) practically showed us this righteous path. Let us learn from few traditions:
- Asmah related that the Prophet said: "Spend, and do not count, lest Allah counts against you. Do not withhold your money, lest Allah withholds from you. Spend what you can". (Bukhari, Muslim)
- Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: The Lord's commandment for every one of His slaves is, ‘Spend on others, and I will spend on you'. (Bukhari, Muslim)
- Safwan ibn Salim related that the Prophet said: "Anyone who looks after and works for a widow and a poor person is like a warrior fighting for Allah's cause, or like a person who fasts during the day and prays all night". (Bukhari)
Therefore, to overcome your concern(s), a remedy is narrated by Anas bin Malik that the Prophet said: "Verily charity appeases the wrath of Allah and eases the sufferings of death". (Tirmidhi)
Becoming 'unselfish' is an expedient exercise to practice (By Giving Charity as much as you can). It shatters the walls of self-centeredness. It is neither difficult nor impossible.
I will end this write-up by quoting Shaheed-e-Pakistan, who explained and practically practice this meaning of life:
" Life is love, life is service". Hakim Mohammed Said
JazakAllahu khairun!!
