Wednesday, May 16, 2007

The Essence of Life

So I was inspired again..what do you know, in the same week!! *or almost same week* :)

I wrote this which is something I've been thinking for a while but never could put it down in words and I'm not totally convinced this says exactly how I feel (perhaps I'll come up with another version another time)...but for now I thought I'd share it. Below I pasted what inspired me :) This has not been edited (like most things so forgive my mistakes :))

~ The Essence of Life
There was a hole in my soul I could not control
It kept telling my inside that I did not abide, that my love for this world increased inside
But I was not totally convinced that was the case, I just never found time to sit and increase the knowledge I love for all time
It created a burden always resting in my being, weighing down my shoulders
A neglect I felt I had done not realizing that I was tired by the time they day was complete
I had no energy, or patience to try and learn all that which can be learnt
Through my days I would still reflect about the 'lil things in life, never to forget God
Though my heart felt a different sorrow
My soul was contanstly feeling let down, as though my past was greater for I had time to comptemplate
But I've come to an understanding the love that I know, the knowledge that I see is what is and will always be in the lessons of life
It's the essence of life, it's the role of caring for children, it's the role of a wife
It's the essence of life, it's our duty to uphold it and control it
It's the meaning of our living our test to keep us doing what we know is right
Though my soul could not understand, though my heart felt I was missing a part
It's merely the essence of life, it's merely the essence of life
Live it with honor, live it with respect, live it with an understanding that we have to practice what we learn in order for it to have an effect
Never forget The Creator, the teachings that we have are greater when it goes futher than a book
The essence of life is imparting knowledge to our prodgeny, building a future with the love that we have
With an understanding that we gotta live and love, interact and learn holding on tight to the values, ethics and principals of the chosen way ... the only way...
The essence of life, is truth
Truth in all that we do, we say, and we become
Our religion is not a religion it's a life.. and it is THE essence of life!
-Shireen
------- (Below my inspiration)

Motherhood
...When she has her first baby, she must manage for another life even moredependent on her personal sacrifices. By the second, third, or fourth child, herdays and nights belong almost entirely to others. Whether she has a spiritualpath or not, such a mother can seldom resist a glance at the past, when therewere more prayers, more meanings, more spiritual company, and more serenity.When Allah opens her understanding, she will see that she is engaged in one ofthe highest forms of worship, that of producing new believers who love andworship Allah.She is effectively worshiping Allah for as many lifetimes she has children, forthe reward of every spiritual work her children do will be hers, without thisdiminishing anything of their own rewards: every ablution, every prayer, everyRamadan, every hajj, and even the works her children will in turn pass on totheir offspring, and, so on till the end of time. Even if her children do notturn out as she wishes, she shall be requited in paradise forever according toher intention in raising them, which was that they should be godly.Aside from the tremendous reward, within the path itself it is noticeable thatmany of those who benefit most from khalwa or "solitary retreat of dhikr" arewomen who have raised children. With only a little daily dhikr and worship overthe years, but much toil and sacrifice for others, they surpass many a youngerperson who has had more free time, effort, and "spiritual works." What they findis greater because their state with Allah is greater; namely, the awe, hope, andlove of the Divine they have realized by years of sincerity to Him. May Allah(swt) grant us all patience with our children and raise them as good,pious, godly people, Ameen. -Shaykh Nu Ha Mim Keller

2 comments:

Farzeen said...

Assalaamu'alaykum wa rahmatu Allah my dear

You should really send me an e-mail or something when your blog is updated. :)

SubhanAllah. Absolutely amazing. SubhanAllah. Motherhood is something I guess only mothers can understand. And while not all women may have the privilege, honour, and blessing to experience it, those who do are really in such a situation that their mere intentions could take them so far.

I'll remind you of what I heard Sidi Moez Masoud say in a lecture once. He said that we really all need to do our 100%.. and 7/7 is 100% - 10/10 is 100% - 21/12 is 100%.. whatever it takes to get to our own level of 100%.

So for some mothers the effort of taking care of their children day in and day out is their 100%...alhamduliAllah. But if it isn't, then push on..because Allah opens a way for people. Someone recently told me that when Allah loves you, He opens a way for you.

You're so right about the essence of life. There's so much in that to think about. The purpose is to know Allah. The way is to serve Allah, and the essence can appear in many forms I think.

Anyway, thanks for the food for thought. Keep writing habeebti :).

Farzeen said...

*ahem*.. correction 21/12 does not equal 100%.. but 12/12 does..hehe.