Today we discuss 2nd Ayah of Rukuh 8 or the 8th Speech of Al Kahf. First Ayah (54) described fiesty nature of humans. Current Ayah No 55 narrows broad observations to specific details of human nature. Close look at Ayah divulges that there are two things that waylay our journey towards Allah swt thus preventing us from furthering in Imaan.
Firstly, social order or social pressures like family, financial, professional, peer pressures etc. Ironically, in overall scheme of things, none of these pressures matter because in the end, every man/ woman is for himself/ herself. If we don't feel pressure of Allah swt's presence or pleasing Allah swt is not our top priority then our whole process of setting precedence is flawed. Like everlasting battle between good and evil, another battle continues between ethics (what is socially acceptable) and religious values. Take for example, the ritual of Mehendi in Pakistani Muslim marriages. By resisting this completely unnecessary but apparently unavoidable (for some) function of marriage, we may experience social pressures. First in the line is immediate family. In such a scenario, remarks like, 'What will people say?' 'Education, company or religion has put him/ her astray', are common. Those who don't like us in family (The Khandan) and extended circle of friends would tag us as miserly (Kanjoos). So under this social pressure, inadvertently, financial pressure starts to mount to throw a sumptuous (lavish & vulgar is minimum acceptable level) Mehendi party whether we can afford or not. People in professional life may whisper during smoke breaks or over a cup of tea that he/ she has extreme religious views. So, you see how every possible pressure is experienced for resisting an ethical value not part of our Deen. Also goes to show that it is easier to go with the flow and extremely difficult to swim against the current. Funny enough that each one of those pressures is farce. None of our family members, friends or colleagues would be there when we face the accountability of our deeds.
In second part of this Ayah another specific human shortcoming is highlighted that unless we see the writing on the wall, we tend to deliberately ignore or procrastinate taking the hard path i.e. the path of Imaan. Naturally, living life of Imaan is not going to be easy. So as long as possible we avoid thinking about living the life in which Allah swt is our priority. Ironically, if The King of Heavens of Earth who created success is not our priority then what kind of success are we pursuing? He swt grants success. With such messed up order of priorities, what kind of success should come our way?
Now let's back to the start of this Ayah and we should feel lucky that we are reading this text. Nothing shall prevent us from holding on this Book and from seeking Allah's forgiveness. when the guidance has come to us. How simple is the alchemy of life i.e. being grateful to Allah swt and seeking His forgiveness and how gull are we that we try and find the same in confused literature like Paulo Cohelo's Alchemist.
How perfect are the observations of Allah swt on human nature and who knows the product better than The One who created it. May Allah swt help us overcome our shortcomings. Ameen
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