Two Ways

Two Ways

1992 10-11 October-November 7 Two Ways (324) According to Abdullah Bin Amr, God’s Messenger said, ‘Not one of you can become a believer unless his desires are subjugated by what I have brought.’ (i.e. the Shariah)

This hadith tells us that there are two ways to act in this world. One is to be led by our desires. The other is to be guided by ‘what the Prophet has brought.’

Suppose you are confronted with the truth, and you know in your heart of hearts that what stares you in the face is the truth, yet you are afraid to acknowledge it. Consciously or unconsciously, you feel that by doing so your position will in some way be diminished. If, falling a prey to your own desires you deny it, you are taking the baser course. Accept it, abiding by ‘what the Prophet has brought’, and you are on the way to Paradise.

Again, if someone criticises you, your ego is hurt. You become angry. Now is the time to remember what the Shariah tells you – do not be arrogant, be humble. If you respond to the criticism with humility, you act in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet. But if, on the contrary, you become arrogant, you are but the slave of your own desires.

Suppose someone behaves in a reprehensible manner, and. you become enraged. This is the moment to think of what the Shariah tells you about avoiding confrontation, even in the face of provocation. If you remain patient, despite being provoked, you act in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet. But if, instead, you start fighting, you are only submitting to your own base nature. The same is true of all situations in life. Two options are always available to us. Exercise the right option, and your name will be listed among the believers in God’s record. If you take the other option, you can have no hope of ever entering into this coveted category.