السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

In the introduction of his compendium of Shafi`e fiqh entitled "Al-Majmu`." Imam an-Nawawi mentions that Imam asy-Shafi`e used a walking stick for which he was asked: "Why do you carry a stick when you are neither old nor ailing?" He replied: "To remind myself that I am only a traveller in this world." 

While he was alive, Imam asy-Syafi'e used his walking stick to remind himself of the vulnerability and precariousness of Life. On his deathbed, he rejoiced: 

"When my heart was hardened and my courses constrained,
I made my hope a stairway to Your Forgiveness.
My sins burdened me heavily, but when I measured it by Your Forgiveness,
O Lord! Your Forgiveness was the greater."

SubhanAllah! This is the perspective and outlook of a man with strong conviction of Faith in his heart. When the wisdom of knowledge and deeds are applied judiciously, all forms of weaknesses and despair will transform themselves into sources of strength and hope. All manners of attachment to everything ephemeral will dissipate, if we direct our utter dependence on The One - who is Permanent and Everlasting. This surrender necessarily demand from the believer, complete Trust in the handhold of Allah (s.w.t.) and the Wisdom it entails.

With this attitude, one's living and dying (and everything in between) will be a more beautiful process because the Hereafter will be more comforting for the believer as his final and permanent abode. There is always another perspective that will give him hope. In short, this is the true meaning of complete submission to the Will of The Almighty.

This is corroborated by a Hadith Qudsi, in which the Beloved (s.a.w.) narrated that Allah (s.w.t.) said: "A servant [of Allah] committed a sin and said: 'O Allah, forgive me my sin.' And Allah said: 'My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for them.' Then he sinned again and said: 'O Lord, forgive me my sin.' And Allah said: 'My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for them.' Then he sinned again and said: 'O Lord, forgive me my sin.' And Allah again said: 'My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for sins. Do what you wish, for I have forgiven you." {Bukhari, Muslim}

The path is made so easy for us, so don't complicate it. And this is done out of the Absolute Mercy and Absolute Compassionating nature of Allah (s.w.t.) upon us. On many occasions, it seems as though we don't deserve such kindness and love from Him. But, He has made them available for all of us - that means He has not given up on us, and so we should not give up on ourselves.

That speaks a lot about our condition, and most importantly, our complete dependence on His Majesty.

So, it is quite high time that we place our expectations, instead of upon His creations who will disappoint, on The Creator instead. Trust that supreme handhold that will never break. Hold fast to the Rope of Allah - for every living moment that we are alive, that Rope is being offered to us. Put your Faith to allow Him to navigate your route back to Him. 

Hope, is a stairway to Allah's Forgiveness. Faith, is in trusting Him to pave the way. For indeed, hope and His Forgiveness will be your success, in this world and the next.

That, assuredly, will be our most beautiful journey back home.

Love,
The Alchemist.

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Situated at the corner of Holland Village is a quaint 40-years old mosque. For many years, this was the only mosque in Singapore that delivers Friday sermons in English every week. It was at this very mosque that some years ago, I had the privilege to deliver my first English Friday sermon. And the relationship between us persisted, despite the few years that I was living in the United States.

There is always a very warm 'kampung" spirit demonstrated by members of the mosque committee whenever I am their Khatib every month. The long-time chairman himself was a retired Captain in the Army, who is now 85 years old, and is referred to with endearment as "The Captain," both by the congregants and by our very Prime Minister.

You will have known by now that this quaint and historical mosque was due to be torn down by end of last year, but by the Grace of Allah, their lease was extended till the end of April this year instead. As the Chairman said to me after prayers today, we will keep on praying that our lease will be extended, but meanwhile, we will continue doing what we do. Who knows? Allah may just reply to his, and his committee's prayers, insyaAllah.

On the way back home, these words struck me. Everyone there knew of the impending closure of this mosque by end-April. But meantime, I must say, the mosque was overflowing with Friday congregants today. On top of that, I also noticed that there were many new faces that I have not seen before. 

This observation taught me some valuable life lessons: how do we carry on, knowing that the end is near? For example, how would a cancer patient who was given a certain number of months/weeks by his doctor, brave the remaining days of his life? One can wallow in sadness, or take the remaining days positively - which is in reality, a test of true submission and hence, Faith.

Allah s.w.t. said in surah Al-Ankabut: "Every soul shall have a taste of death; then unto Us you shall be returned" [29:57], meaning that everything and everyone is a transient being. We will all eventually meet with our end in this realm, in one way or another. Our anxiety rests in the uncertainty of that end. 

It is natural to be afraid of something that we are not familiar. But the fear of death for believers always hinges on 'being ready' for it: i.e. have we done enough to ensure a smooth passage to Jannah? But, if we really think hard, we will never be completely ready. And I am not sure that is the intent set out by Allah s.w.t. anyway.

What matters, in my personal opinion, is the quality of every single choice that we make, guided by the teachings of Faith. Every decision in this transient existence will determine the quality of that unique personal journey that we all take. In the end, was it a beautiful journey full of hopes and joys, of happiness and peace, of loving and being loved, of mercy and compassion, of having learned and being beneficial to others, of being a source of inspiration and a guiding light unto oneself and others - in that personal journey back to Him (s.w.t.). It is to keep on improving daily and making a difference. Sayyidina 'Ali (k.w.) said: "I suffer the greatest loss, if I am the same today as I was yesterday."

Ergo, living in Faith means living in the here and now, because we cannot control nor determine our future. So we should be proactive with our present. Faith is internal and introspective in nature, hence we should strive to always maintain a positive perspective in the way Life unfolds itself before our eyes, and that will shape how we respond to Life. Faith also dictates that we should always think well of Allah and His Plans, and there is always a silver lining behind every cloud. Faith is to be celebrated.

These lessons were taught to me by observing the way the committee members of Kg Holland Mosque managed themselves, despite the impending closure of the mosque. Their positive outlook, certainly as a result of the fortitude of their Faith, brings in bigger crowds I have seen in months.

So, if you have a chance, or if you are in the area, do drop them a visit and perform a prayer there. It would mean the world to those who are still hanging on to Hope.

And Hope is a beautiful thing.

Love,
The Alchemist.