Jumah Nugget: Making Allah a Priority Will Only Help You Fix Your Life

 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Making Allah a Priority Will Only Help You Fix Your Life

And who is better in speech than he who [says: “My Lord is Allâh (believes in His Oneness),” and then stands firm (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allâh’s (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: “I am one of the Muslims.” — Qur’an 41[Fussilat]:33

Many Muslims of this century struggle with a lot of concepts about life. From the purpose of existence to the idea of spirituality, people have a vague understanding of these matters. It couldn’t be far-fetched since the matter of the unseen is quite complicated. No one has ever seen Allah, yet we’re told to believe in Him. This concept is a bit difficult except for the one whom Allah softens their heart and guides them to faith.

The only way to be at ease with this complexity is by knowing Allah and submitting to His will. This is where Tauhid comes to your rescue. You have to accept Allah as the unique Creator of the universe and all that exists. He’s the One who created you, nourishes you, will cause you to die, and bring you back to life. Then you add to that, submission to His will by doing acts of worship. The top of the icing is to build a relationship with Him through His beautiful names and attributes.

In this piece in sha Allah, we’d focus on three things that will help you build a better relationship with Allah and transform your life positively. The wisdom is taken from the saying of the great scholar Sufyan Ath-Thaoriy. He said:

Scholars of the past used to write to each other letters of advice including these three statements: Whoever corrects his private affairs, Allah will fix for him his public affairs. Whoever amends his relationship with Allah, Allah will amend his relationship with the people. Whoever works for the hereafter, Allah will take care of his affairs in this worldly life. — Source: Hilyat al-Awliyā’ 7/35

So let’s break this down in bits:

Be cautious of what you do privately: Know that you’re constantly under the watchful eyes of Allah. If you make Allah a priority in your privacy, Allah will set straight your public life for you. This includes your economic and social matters. Everything related to your financial situation will be well-catered for. And you will equally see that you become beloved among the people. Your family, spouse, neighbors, and everyone will see you of immense benefit and find comfort around you. On the other hand, when you transgress the limits, know that Allah is severe in punishment. The key point here is sincerity and watchfulness. Allah’s Apostle ﷺ said in this infamous hadith thus:

On the authority of Thawbaan (may Allah be pleased with him), from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), that he said: “I certainly know people of my ummah who will come on the Day of Resurrection with good deeds like the mountains of Tihaamah, but Allah will make them like scattered dust.” Thawbaan said: O Messenger of Allah, describe them to us and tell us more, so that we will not become of them unknowingly. He said: “They are your brothers and from your people, worshipping at night as you do, but they will be people who, when they are alone, transgress the sacred limits of Allah.” — Ibn Majah.

2. Be mindful of your relationship with Allah: Rectifying your relationship with Allah means being a truthful servant of His. Ensure that you do not die while ascribing partners with him. Observe your five daily prayers appropriately at their fixed stated times. When your relationship is good with Allah, you will earn the love of Allah in return. The angels in heaven will love you and the people on earth will also love you. Allah’s Apostle ﷺ tells us:

On the authority of Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) who reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “When Allah loves a slave, calls out Jibril and says: ‘I love so-and-so; so love him’. Then Jibril loves him. After that he (Jibril) announces to the inhabitants of heavens that Allah loves so- and-so; so love him; and the inhabitants of the heavens (the angels) also love him and then make people on earth love him”. — Bukhari and Muslim

3. Make plans for your abode in the hereafter: Part of the nature of human beings is to love this world as if they’re not going to depart. They become addicted to the world and forget to make plans for everlasting life in the hereafter. The one who makes the next life his objective finds his affairs easy by being content with what Allah decrees. The world comes to him whether he likes it or not. This is why Allah’s Apostle ﷺ gave us a severe warning thus:

“Whoever makes the Hereafter his goal, Allah makes his heart rich, and organizes his affairs, and the world comes to him whether he wants it or not. And whoever makes the world his goal, Allah puts his poverty right before his eyes, and disorganizes his affairs, and the world does not come to him, except what has been decreed for him. — At-Tirmidhi

This is why being content and satisfied with Allah’s decree is the peak of richness. This doesn’t mean in any way that you should not work for your share in this world. And that is why the Qur’an gives us a balance to it:

But of mankind there are some who say: “Our Lord! Give us (Your Bounties) in this world!” and for such there will be no portion in the Hereafter.And of them there are some who say: “Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!” — Qur’an 2[Al-Baqarah]: 200–201

We ask Allah the Most Gracious to count us among those who make Him the Highest priority in our lives and may we be among those who earn His love.

PS: Success comes only by the will of Allah! If you find this piece beneficial, it’s by Allah’s Grace. It’s no scholarly work and we accept our mistakes. Suggestions are welcomed in making this effort better as well.

Yaumul Jum’ah 24th Muharam 1445H // Friday 11th August 2023.