111: Essential Elements for a Purposeful Life
[b]أفحسبتم انما خلقناكم عبثا و ا نكم الينا لا ترجعو[/b]
[i]Do you think that We created you without purpose,[/i][b][Qur’an 23: 115] [/b]
[b]Life of ‘Worship’[/b]
We are reminded in the Qur’an [Q 51:56] that human beings have been created for the primary purpose of ‘ibaadah. Though the term ‘ibaadah is usually translated as “worship” which in turn is assumed to be ritual religious acts; in reality ‘ibaadah refers to the expression of the will to obey the Creator and encompasses far more than ritual acts of worship.
[b] ‘Ibaadah thus refers to …[/b][list][*]all actions done in obedience to Allah في طاعة الله[/*][*]encompassing all good and beneficial deeds [/*][*]done sincerely اخلاص الني[/*][*]with propriety احسان[/*][/list]
[b]Action, Intention & Purpose[/b]
Every action has an ethical value which in turn is determined by ...[list][*]the intention preceding it ( نية niyyah = reason why you are doing)[/*][*]the rationale ( مقصد maqsad = purpose for doing)[/*][*]the performance (أداء العمل adaa-ul ‘amal = method of doing)[/*]
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[i]All humans are dead except those who have knowledge; and all those who have knowledge are asleep except those who do good deeds; and those who do good deeds are deceived except those who are sincere[/i][Imam Shafi]
In navigating the road of life, do not to be a victim of what happens to you; but rather to be an architect of the road and making things happen. Reflect on the admonition of the Prophet [b]كما تدين تدان [/b] [i]“As you do, so shall you be rewarded.”[/i]Do not be of those who end up saying [i]…I should have, I could have, I would have, I must have…. [/i]but didn’t.
Remember …
Only as high as I reach can I grow => excellence in everything.
Only as far as I seek can I go => as you do so shall you be rewarded.
Only as deep as I look can I see => reflect on creation of heaven/earth.
Only as much as I strive can I be => to each according to his/her deeds.
The art of living a purposeful life is not merely passing time in this world, but to be like the candle; recognizing the inevitability of death while bringing light to the world as it is consumed.
[list][*]The reality of life is change[/*][*]the challenge of life is to live it to its full[/*]
[*]the lesson of life is its temporariness[/*][*]the wisdom of life is to learn from the past[/*][*]the commitment of life is to make a difference[/*][*]the purpose of life is احسان Ihsaan (righteousness coupled with a sense of God-consciousness), and since ان الله كتب الاحسان على كل شيء Allah has prescribed ihsaan in everything,) it means leaving the world a better place.[/*]
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[b]Let Every Act Count[/b]
We can not really inspire anybody to higher values if we do not embody these values inwardly and practically ourselves. We need to align our lives with our highest values and utilize every moment of life effectively. Do not let things just happen, but add a personal touch that enhances life.[i]“Some see things as they are and ask why; others dream things that never were and ask why not.” [/i] [writer, George Bernard Shaw]
So do more with your existence…
Do more than touch, FEEL
Do more than look, OBSERVE
Do more than hear, LISTEN
Do more than read, COMPREHEND
Do more than talk, COMMUNICATE
Do more than know, UNDERSTAND
Do more than think, REFLECT
Do more than exist, LIVE
Do more than dream, REALIZE
Do more than be, be the BEST you can.
[b]What Really Matters[/b]
We realize more than ever that all life will come to an end someday, that our existence in this world seems like a brief crack of light between two long periods of darkness, that death is certain and wherever you are death will reach you [Qur'an 4:78], that every day we live is a day further from our birth and every breath we breathe is a breath closer to death. As certain as we are about the occurrence of death, so uncertain are we about its timing and we are therefore instructed,act as if every act could be your lastWe recall the admonition of the Prophet (pbuh) who said;
[b]عش ما شئت فانك ميت ؛ واحبب ما احببت فانك مفارقة[/b]
[i]“Live as you please, but you will die some day; love what you have loved, but someday you will be separated.”[/i]
We have no alternative but to commit ourselves to do all the good we can, by all means we can, in all the ways we can, to all the creation we can, wherever we can, whenever we can, as long as we can, and as best we can.
The Prophet advised;[i]“None should wish for death; if you are good it is possible[/i]
[b]لا يتمن احدكم الموت؛ اما محسنا فلعله يزداد، و اما مسيئا فلعله يستعت[/b]
[i]that you may increase in goodness; and if you are sinful you may rectify your ways and improve yourself."[/i]
What we have is only temporary; our lives must end and all our possessions will eventually pass on to others. Our hopes and our plans will fade with our abilities and our days. Eventually neither our color, nor our gender, neither our language nor our position will matter. What will matter is…
[list]
[*]not what we studied but what we learnt[/*]
[*]not who we knew but for what we were known[/*]
[*]not what we memorized but for what we will be remembered[/*]
[*]not what we said but what we meant[/*]
[*]not by how we traveled but where we went[/*]
[*]not how much we had but for what it was spent[/*]
[*]not what we aspired to but what we attained[/*]
[*]not what we thought but what we did[/*]
[*]not what we got but what we gave[/*]
[*]not what we liked but how we loved[/*]
[*]not what we professed but how we lived[/*]
[*]and not how long we lived but what good we did.[/*]
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