A friend of mine, who was Indian and had studied yoga and nutrition, once told me that coffee is a substance that provides a false “boost” of energy. Yet it is not actual energy, the kind you can get from fruits and vegetables, etc. so that after the initial boost, you actually end up feeling more sluggish and void of energy. If you think about it, every single thing which is not good for you behaves pretty much the same way. This doesn’t just apply to foods but to feelings as well. If you take drugs, you feel good for a while, but at a cost, which you most certainly feel afterwards (the “letdown”).

This is also true of the false drugs of music and television that many of us indulge in, trying to escape the harsh realities of life (stress, problems, etc.) or simply because the utterly stark nakedness of an unadorned life is something we are not used to, nor prepared to handle. In other words, a “dream world” is why many of us will sit through even the most ridiculous, mundane, offensive, sinful materials - just because we have nothing better to do. Yet, this dreaminess will betray you. If the media drugs do not teach you or cause you to reflect and come closer to Allah (and rarely do they do) then you will simply make yourself even more emotionally crippled, the effects of which you will feel later. You will be lazier and less ready to face what you need to face in life.

Just as you can get real energy from natural fruit and the good things of the earth, you can get real relaxation and contentment only with what is natural and good. Buddhists (among others) spend a lifetime contemplating “nothingness” and clearing their mind from material things. Cluttering your mind with junk, even if temporarily effective, will only give you a false “high” or sense of peace (which in reality is avoidance of our own selves). However, if you remember Allah and meditate upon Him, this is the “real thing” and is the only thing which is truly effective to give you a peaceful life. Submitting to Allah, this is “Islam” and this is peace.

This is why Allah defines the Believers as:

“those who believe and whose hearts find tranquility in the remembrance of Allah”, and goes on to say that “Verily, it is in the remembrance of Allah that hearts do find rest.”

This is something agreed upon by the Ummah, and yet you often see the youth, who I feel need tranquility and peace in their lives the most, neglect this, while the elders are the ones who take to it. And yet it is a severe downfall for all of us. How are we as an Ummah to live in a time where there is such social and emotional corruption and emptiness and not be afflicted with it? I admit I am one who is severely afflicted, as are many of my generation. How are we to transcend this worldly life when we are so caught up in it?

So make sure you do this - it is your salvation in this modern world and a cure for everything but death. I don’t care how you do it - if you have to become “Sufi” to do it, do it. Yes, it’s all there in the Sunnah, yet what is preventing so many from doing it (and I don’t just mean where the salaat is counted as “dhikr” and seeking knowledge is counted as “‘ebaadah” or the small, perfunctory dhikr after prayers, etc.) - actual contemplation and reflection. If you have to join a tariqah, make bai’ah to a shaikh, or whirl in circles, force yourself to do it somehow. For the sad fact remains many who have knowledge (a debatable term if it is not applied) live lives filled with anger, negativity, and darkness, while dhikr is the light of the heart. In other words, if you find you can’t consistently do it on your own, get help.

For all those who aspire to survive the terrible time we live in and to elevate themselves in their religion, make time for this. Sit quietly somewhere, alone, and connect with Allah (and no, watching TV or blabbing at a social event while doing the rounds on a masbahah won’t cut it either).

JUST DO IT - it will save your life, and is in reality the only thing worth saving in life, for everything in this world is cursed besides the remembrance of God.

The irony is that while the modern world rails against “organized religion”, they haven’t come up with anything better. We’ve all seen the “bliss” of utter freedom and following your desires - your desires simply get out of control and you no longer have control over yourself. This is a destructive path (I’ve been on it too and God help me stay off) and only leads to that “emptiness” that all the artists keep talking about - and killing themselves over.

If you are tired of feeling tired, scared of feeling scared, and sad about being sad, cleanse your insides and fill your soul with light, as Allah says:

[Indeed those who are the Believers (the Muslims), and those who were the Jews (those who had followed Moses) and the Christians (those who had followed Jesus) and the Sabians (those who had worshipped God between the Prophets), whosoever believes in God and the Last Day and does righteous deeds, for them their reward is with their Lord and],

promising that those who have Faith and work righteousness:

“no fear shall be upon them, nor shall they grieve.”

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008 at 11:02 am and is filed under Islam. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.