The hoarding of dust,
Yes, dust.
What else will it be soon but scattered debris? [1]
Yet all voices scream:
Dignity lies in following greed.
Achieve, deprive, find ways to rise high.
Still, nothing is ever enough,
Eyes always fixed on someone else’s prize,
Pride caged in fleeting gains.
Your worth-too volatile.
Make your way,
Oh believer,
Remain against the tide.
You aren’t a follower of life’s whims.
The world celebrates
Make your way,
Oh believer,
Remain against the tide.
Turn to the One voice:
In the word of Allah ﷻ, the answer lies:
You aren’t the first one
To be shaken and uprooted,
Ayyub عليه السلام once had everything,
Before it all fell apart right in front of his eyes,
Loss upon loss one after another
His children, his home-gone,
His body weakens beyond recognition,
His wealth and his health were “lost”
Only his loyal wife remained, carrying his burdens By his side for years. 2
Tell me, oh believer,
Would you look at him with the lens of the broken world, or though the lens of the One who
holds all dignity, creates all life?
If it were up to the world, they’d dismiss him without a doubt,
But in reality,this man is worthy of mention till the end of time:
Extend this merciful perspective to yourself,
to all those who suffer worldly losses of all kinds,
Because the real loss of dignity is to deny-
To deny all that you’ve been blessed with, all that Allah ﷻ provides.
If He ever takes, it means He first gave.
So will you be grateful and persevere?
Make your way,
Oh believer,
Remain against the tide.
You aren’t alone in this fight.
Comfort yourself with the reality:
Allah ﷻ is on your side.
So stay dignified by mentioning Allah ﷻ day and night. [2]
References:
- Surah Al-Kahf (18:45) scattered debris imagery from the parable in this ayah
- Tafsir Surah Al-Anbiya (21:84), Quran.com. (n.d.) https://quran.com/21:84/tafsirs/en-tafsir-
maarif-ul-quran
- Written by: Areej Saqib
- Edited by: The Editorial Team
- © The Islamic Reflections Blog
