Istidraj

In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

Assalamualaikum

Title: Istidraj

" Mom, why is it that my friends could have an iPhone, but I can't? "

" Dad, why is it that my friends could have a MacBook, but I can't? "

" God, why is that most all of my friends could have all the things that I couldn't possibly have?! "

I thought to myself.

Just look at how powerful technology is. All these high-tech gadgets is so powerful that it could break my eeman into pieces. What does technology has got to do with eeman Susu? Precisely! And that brings me to my next point!

Many of you may wonder. What is Istidraj? How is this relevant to me? How is it relevant to youths like us? So here's what Istidraj is all about. Istidraj is when Allah gives you rezqi, not to help you. But it is to let you go astray! I didn't know what Istidraj is all about, until recently.

Have you ever wondered? Why is it that people who pray 5 times a day, who wake up in the middle of the night to offer tahajjud, who fast in the month of Ramadhan, are even living in difficulties. Why?

And then why is that the people who don't pray, who don't fast etc, are living a prosperous and affluent life? Their houses are conspicuously built, their expensive cars are parked from end to end and they have a lot of money in the bank.

This theory may not apply to all, but it does apply some. Like the story Bisikan Subuh that was playing on Suria last night. 2 different families, with 2 different life stories. One lives wealthily in town, while the other family lives in a poor old village. The family who was living in luxury had little faith in Allah, while the family who was living in that poor village, had very strong faith in Allah.

But if we were to reflect and examine properly, we will find the answers to all the above mentioned questions. How could people who disobey Allah seem to be happy and triumphant? Why do people who deny Allah live comfortably and prosperously?

The answer is that; those comforts and prosperities that Allah imparts on them are not something that He’s pleased with. In truth, they are meant to destroy them. What is the point of living without Allah’s pleasure?

But having said that, if we happen to see rich people who practice religion using expensive cars to go to mosques etc, don’t say that it is istidraj. And if we see our friend getting a promotion at work, and then out of jealousy, we call it istidraj. Don't do that. People who use his good fortunes for goodness, for worshipping Allah are not are not istidraj (meaning, we should not let ourselves reject wealth at the same time). Get where I'm coming from?

It is not wealth that we are looking for and it is not poverty either. The purpose of life is to seek Allah’s pleasure. How can we determine if the good fortunes we receive please Allah? One can recognize the real blessings when he shows gratitude to Allah upon the gifts.

If he uses them in the right way for the purpose of goodness and it makes him more sincere in his commitment to Allah, then all the gifts he received is a real blessing from Allah that He’s pleased with. When the purpose of life is to seek Allah’s pleasure, undoubtedly we will be safe in this dunya (world) and akhira (hereafter).

InsyaAllah.

Wanna read more on Istidraj? Go on to www.prisonerofjoy.blogspot.com

Those who reject Our signs, We shall gradually visit with punishment, in ways they perceive not. [ Qur'an 7:182]