An Invocation

An Invocation

1991 9 September 17 An Invocation (262) Amr ibn Bahr ibn Mahboob Al Kanami (163-225 AH), better known as Al Jahiz, lived in Basra and was renowned as a leading light in the world of literature, so fond was he of reading that when he died after a stroke, he was found with a book1 lying on his chest. In it he had written the following invocation.

(1) Al-Bayan wa at Tabiyin

‘O Allah, we seek your protection from the mischief of utterance as we seek your protection from the mischief of deeds. We seek your protection against undertaking any task which we cannot competently perform. Likewise, we seek your protection against taking pride in a job well done. And we seek your protection from being found wanting in the art of language and the ability to given expression to our thoughts.’

This world is a place of trial, as is evident from all aspects of life. A God-fearing man must, therefore, seek the protection and help of the Almighty in all that he ventures upon. Trial in this world is not about what one has gained or lost, but what one’s reactions have been under different sets of circumstances. A man has to be as prudent in his utterances as he is in his deeds; his moral balance should be undisturbed by either failure or success. When he rises to a position of power, he should in all humility remain as devoted to God as he was when he was weak and helpless.

What is on trial in this world is both success and failure, action and inaction.