On Edge of the Cliff

Among people, there is a kind of person who worships Allah on the edge of the cliff. And this means someone acts as if he stands on the edge of a cliff. He’s kind of dangling, not quite there and not quite off. Allah describes this image in Sura Al-Hajj and says:

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ حَرْفٍ فَإِنْ أَصَابَهُ خَيْرٌ اطْمَأَنَّ بِهِ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ فِتْنَةٌ

انْقَلَبَ عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهِ خَسِرَ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةَ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْخُسْرَانُ الْمُبِينُ

There are among men some who serve Allah, as it were, on the verge: if good befalls them, they are, therewith, well content; but if a trial comes to them, they turn on their faces: they lose both this world and the Hereafter: that is loss for all to see!

For this person, if something good happens to him, then he’s happily satisfied. But if a trial occurs to him, then he turns back on his face. And it is about all deeds, a person upholds to the righteous path as long as it’s convenient. It is a hard test for all of us! If that is the state of our faith, if we feel like every time things get tough, and then our faith disappears, then we have to be really warned about this state of affairs. And we need to ask Allah for firmness of your heart, that you’re able to maintain strength of your faith through difficult times.

What should we do then?

We have to understand and know how to deal with trials and how to face calamities. And be thankful to Allah for what he has done for you, definitely Allah wants the best for you. Let us try to show a little bit of gratitude.

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ وَلَئِنْ كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ

And remember! your Lord caused to be declared (publicly) If ye are grateful, I will add more (favours) unto you; But if ye show ingratitude, truly My punishment is terrible indeed.” 

The question is grateful to whom? you would think… grateful to Allah, but Allah didn’t mention himself. So, it could be grateful to Allah, grateful to your parents, grateful to your teachers, grateful for your health, grateful to friends … etc.

What is the benefit of being grateful?

If you could show this attitude, Allah promises “I will increase you”. The question comes up, increase you in what?! Allah didn’t limit what he will increase you in. That is the beauty of this Ayah. The motivation to be grateful. Allah will keep giving you more and more of everything. May Allah help us learn from the beautiful wisdom of the Quran, and make us grateful people.

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