Renewed Perspective

BismiAllah

Travelling has its benefits. Despite the hassles it takes to prepare and actually carry out the venture, the consequences of it never ceases to enlighten me.

I recently returned from a wedding in New York. I would never even be able to imagine a wedding as such since it went beyond sufficient and tapped into the domain of 'dream like' for some. Generally, weddings aren't my thing. I really love to hear of a marriage, but rarely (though there have been exceptions) can fully appreciate the actual wedding reception. AlhamduliAllah, it went well and the families seemed happy.

As I watched from afar, my brother and I sticking together for much of the time, I couldn't help but feel grateful for not ever wanting to have such an extravagant wedding. It's nothing that I can credit myself for, but instead I praise God for protecting me from it.

Travelling often allows one the opportunity to appreciate that which is right under one's nose yet one may fail to appreciate it as fully as it is worth. While I generally recognize my disconnect from certain social and/or cultural practices, I was given the chance to witness that I've been blessed to feel this way. AlhamduliAllah. It is also something that if Allah wills, He could take from me and I could be among those who fall victim to social pressures with little action directed towards protecting me from the consequences of such practices.

The above may seem a little arrogant, and perhaps it is. But while I recognize all that, I also realize how important it is for me to work harder to improve my state of imaan. I may be blessed to not want a certain type of wedding, but this is by no means an indicator of my state in the Hereafter. In fact, I realize that my ability to see where others err is actually quite telling that I am weak and thus I do not focus as heartily on where I err. The people of wisdom work to purify themselves instead of wasting time criticizing others. May Allah bless me and my loved ones with this wisdom, ameen.

May Allah protect us all from earning His wrath, may He make our last moment of life the best moment of our lives, and may He cause us to meet Him in a state which is pleasing to Him, ameen.

3 comments:

Sketched Soul said...

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu my dear Farzeen,

"The people of wisdom work to purify themselves instead of wasting time criticizing others" that is very very true!!

Another interesting and 'reflective' post..for you and me..hehe

Apart from all the not-so Islamic customs done in many Muslim weddings these days... what do you think is more erm..'correct', a simple wedding or a wedding with-in your means?

Ma'salaama
Farhana

Farzeen said...

Wa 'alaykum assalaam wa rahmatuAllahi wa barakaatu ya Farhana

Hmm... well, I dare not bother trying to decide which is 'more correct.' Going into debt is never a wise way to go, but Allah knows best.

As for a simple wedding or not, to each their own. My concern, regardless of if it is simple or not so simple, is whether it is according to shari'ah and Islamic principles of wisdom or not. If the wedding itself does not serve to earn Allah's pleasure, then it really does little for the bride and groom and their families.

With everything, insha'Allah, the hope and goal is to come closer to Allah and weddings are no exception. Marriages are supposed to be celebrated, hence the importance and emphasis that Muslims accept the invitation to walimas. Of course though, for the sake of our imaan and station before Allah, it should not compromise the values set for us in Islam. Wa Allahu'alim.

As I say all that, I know it's easier to talk the talk than walk the walk. May Allah protect us all, ameen!

Sketched Soul said...

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu,

Ameen!

Thank you for answering :)


Ma'salaama
Farhana

"Do you think that you will enter the Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They encountered suffering and adversity and were so shaken in spirit that even the Apostle and those of faith who were with him cried: 'When (will come) the help of God?' Ah! Verily the help of God is (always) near!" [2:214]

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"Be mindful of God, and God will protect you. Be mindful of God, and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask of God. If you seek help, seek help of God. Know that if the whole world were to gather together to benefit you with anything, it would benefit you only with something that God had already prescribed for you. And if the whole world were to gather together to harm you, it would harm you only with something that God has already prescribed for you. The pens have been lifted and the ink has dried."
--Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him]