Living Purposefully
| Khatib : | Sadullah Khan |
| Khutbah No: | 131 |
| Khutbah Date: | 01/07/05 |
[Qur’an 23: 115]
In reflecting on the Tsunami tragedy we learn that the world is anything but serene; it is all too vulnerable to natural threats such as earthquakes, cyclones, tsunamis and even meteors. Any of these hazards may strike at any time and can cause considerable loss to life and property. What is common to all these threats is that in just moments any one can reduce a city, with all its inhabitants, to ruin. We learn that Allah did not make this world a permanent place. This is a temporary world and everything here is finite and all things have a time limit. Neither are the good things of this world forever nor are the bad things eternal. What then do we make of the life we have?
Realize the temporary nature of our life on earth
We can not go to bed another night without reflecting on the advice of our beloved Prophet (pbuh) who said; “When going to sleep do not assume you will live to see the dawn, when waking up do not assume you will live to see the sunset; take precaution from your health against sickness, take from your life what will benefit you in death."
Live a Purpose-driven life, a life of ‘Ibaadah
We are commanded, “Seek the Hereafter by means of what Allah has provided for you, and do not be negligent about your share in this world. Do good as Allah has done good to you, and do not seek to spread corruption in the world.” [Qur'an 28:77] We are reminded in the Qur’an [Qur'an 51:56] that human beings have been created for the primary purpose of ‘ibaadah. ‘Ibaadah includes every good action which in turn is determined by ... the intention preceding it, the rationale for doing it, the method of its performance.
Life Purpose ... has primarily to do with a certain way of being in the world which would permeate everything you do -- being caring for those in need, being courageous in the face of hardship, being true to yourself, living simply, daring to speak the truth, fighting against injustice and oppression, promoting understanding.
Life Purpose ... may be a contribution to the world that uses your whole self fully and gives your life passion, fulfillment, and meaning through dedication to something larger than yourself. It might be work for social transformation; it might be service to people who are in need; it might be living from an attitude of love, or unleashing your creativity, or developing your highest spiritual potential. It involves introspection, critical self-evaluation, overcoming internal and external obstacles, developing skills and contacts, and moving into action. There is an element of selflessness and a degree of spiritual struggle involved in manifesting one’s life purpose. In his book Advice to the Student / Ayyu-hal-walad, Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali counsels, “know that spirituality embraces two important characteristics: righteousness (istiqaamah), and to be at peace with (the rest) of Creation. The person who improves his character and treats others with kindness and gentleness, is indeed truly spiritual. Righteousness is to sacrifice one’s baser desires in order to attain the pleasure of Allah, the Most High. As for moral excellence; it is to consider others - as long as they do not violate the Sacred Commands - not in terms of the excellence you assume in yourself, but in terms of the excellence you assume in them.”
Fully utilize the opportunity life offers
Each person should realize more than ever that all life will come to an end someday, that every day we live is a day further from 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 last. I recall the admonition of the Prophet (pbuh) who said; "Live as you please, but you will die some day; love what you may, but someday you will be separated."
So we will have to do more than merely passing time on earth…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.
We are divinely commanded ...
“Seek the other world by means of what Allah has provided for you, and do not be negligent about your share in this world. Do good as Allah has done good to you, and do not seek to spread corruption in the world.” [Qur’an 28:77]
And reflect on the reality that ...
“When going to sleep do not assume you will live to see the dawn, when waking up do not assume you will live to see the night; Take precaution from your health against sickness, take from your life what will benefit you in death." [Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)]