Self-Forgotten

Lesson of Piety you may do, God is aware of it. Make provision for yourselves—but surely, the best of all provision is Godconsciousness. Always be mindful of Me, you that are endowed with understanding. (Quran 2:197) In ancient Arabia, it was believed that taking provisions for the Hajj journey was a worldly act. A person who set out for Hajj without carrying any worldly goods was considered pious and devout. Such people would say about themselves, “We are those who rely solely on God” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 1523). This meant that they claimed to rely on nothing but God. However, the Quran clarified that such external displays do not constitute piety. Religiosity is rooted in the heart and mind, not in outward displays. What truly matters is that a person’s heart and mind remain free from strong attachment with anything other than God (Quran 2:165), rather than whether they appear to lack food or provisions.