“No ones looking, it’s just you and me so why don’t you just take a sip?”
A guy at work yesterday felt sorry for me that I was fasting but I generally enjoy the trials of fasting and do not see it as a hindrance or a problem. When we were on the shop floor alone he made himself a drink (I work as a Barista for those wondering) and he put some aside for me and goes drink it no ones here what is stopping you? – Just to clarify the guy was only joking and not being ignorant. But what was stopping me?
I was alone had no one watching me so I could easily take a sip my family will never know, no other human maybe of witness of me “breaking” my fast. So I had no one in this world that could make me feel terrible and to be frankly honest I could not care less if others saw me. So yet again what was stopping me?
Taqwa (Define: A concept of fearing God and the attitude that accompanies this fear.*)
An article compared taqwa to “walking through a narrow path with thorny bushes on both sides and a person passing through it tries his level best to save his clothes from being torn. The thorns are the sins and the clothes is one’s Eeman.” (I will place the link at the end of the article, it’s definitely worth a read.) My fear of the consequences of the hereafter and displeasing Allah drive me everyday to avoid committing sins and help navigate my moral compass. However, I am not perfect and will openly admit that despite knowing the consequences I sometime succumb to my desires and urges and do commit sins. For that I sincerely hope Allah forgives me as I hope he forgives others of sincere repentance.
Ask yourself what stops you from stealing that bag of m&ms at the shop? attacking someone when they have hurt you or angered you? having an affair when your partner is out-of-town? sniff cocaine because the girl told you that you would be more fun? abandoning your family? And even if it does not stop you, do you ever make an immediate decision without thinking about the consequences? Some people will say it is your conscious that stops you but I know it is my fear of Allah, my taqwa that stops me every time.
*Taqwa is a broad term and you may come across different definition but I have used the definition which best fits the context of this post.
If you want to read the article here is the link:
http://www.ahya.org/amm/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=154
“O you who have believed, fear Allah and believe in His Messenger; He will [then] give you a double portion of His mercy and make for you a light by which you will walk and forgive you; and Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” – Surah Al-Hadeed, Holy Quran (57:28)
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