Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) — 57: Going Out To
Work
Islamic Perspectives - Muslim Journals
Arab News & Information - By Sheikh Muhammad
Al-Ghazali
People go out to work every day at their offices,
factories, shops, farms or other places. They begin
the day preoccupied with their livelihoods. They want
as much as they can get and even more. The one who is
in straitened circumstances wish for ease and plenty,
and the one who has plenty would love to have more.
What they want out of life is without limits, and the
efforts exerted for it exhaust all energy.
Can we imagine the volume of effort that is poured
into this area of human life? It appears to me that
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), God's last
messenger, was fully aware of these human feelings
when he addressed God as he went out of his home,
saying: "In the name of God. I place my trust in God.
My Lord, I seek refuge with You. Guard me so that I
should not slip into error or be made to slip into
error, or go astray or be led astray, or do injustice
or suffer injustice, or wrong anyone or be wronged by
anyone." This supplication shows the Prophet as having
no desire to overpower anyone. He simply wants to be
free from error, whether committed by him or against
him. He seeks guidance for himself and all others. He
seeks refuge against injustice in whatever shape or
form it happens to be.
To achieve this, the Prophet appeals for God's help.
As the teacher of mankind, Prophet Muhammad (peace be
upon him) has required every Muslim to try to
strengthen his ties with God when he leaves his home
for whatever business he needs to attend to. Anas ibn
Malik quotes him as saying in reference to going out:
"Whoever says: ‘In the name of God; I place my trust
in God; every power functions only by God's will;'
will be answered: ‘You will have guidance, spared evil
and will be protected.'"
Interaction with people may pose numerous problems,
and friction can lead to serious dangers. No matter
how alert and sharp one is, man is always in need of
God's shelter and protection. All glory belongs to
Him; He will always extend His protection to those who
place their trust in Him alone. In fact, a Muslim
should suspect his own resources and abilities,
looking always to God for His help and grace. He
should say, as we have been taught by Prophet
Muhammad: "My Lord, nothing is easy unless You make it
easy. You certainly make the difficult easy."
When things are difficult and worries gather, we
should hold more tightly to our bond with God. Ibn
Umar quotes the Prophet as saying: "When any of you
finds earning a living to be hard, why does not he say
as he leaves home: In God's name I seek protection for
myself, my property and my faith. My Lord, make me one
who is happy with whatever You determine, and bless
whatever You grant me, so that I do not wish to hasten
what You have delayed or to delay what You bring
forth."
When we carefully consider these teachings, we realize
that the Prophet's insight into human nature was
unparalleled. His treasures of certitude were always
overflowing and he generously granted of them to all
around him. He wanted his followers' ties with God to
remain stable and steady.
Consider the following report by Al-Bara ibn Azib: "A
man complained to the Prophet of feeling isolated. The
Prophet told him to say very often: ‘Limitless in His
glory is God, the Holy, the Lord of the angels and the
spirit. You, my Lord, have encompassed the heavens and
the earth with Your might and superior power.' The man
said it and his feeling of isolation waned."
The man must have been a sensitive one who is wary of
other people. Life is never easy for such people. They
are always apprehensive, yet they need to interact
with people. When he complained to the Prophet, the
Prophet taught him that supplication which is bound to
make him happier with his bond with God Almighty
©
EsinIslam.Com
Add Comments