We all start off
in this world with an advantage or disadvantage. If your parents are wealthy,
you have an advantage over others. If you are born poor, you are at a
disadvantage. However, this does not mean that you cannot make it.
We all possess a
created state, referred to as ‘fitrah’ in Islam. This created state shapes your
destiny (qada’ and qadar). Understanding your created state is very important
because it enables you to conduct yourself in a dignified noble manner.
"Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and
adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and
children - like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases
the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes
[scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness
from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of
delusion,” (Surah Hadid 57:20)
Abu Lahab and Abu
Jahal, both uncles of the Prophet (s.a.w.) had their own created states (natures
and characteristics). They said that if Muhammad was not their nephew, they
would have followed him.
Was it a natural
response or was it arrogance? It could be either, depending on you point of
view. If you look up Sahih Bukhari, you will come across a Hadith concerning
Iblis (Satan). He came to Moses (a.s.), calling upon him to have a word with
God concerning him. Moses (a.s.) agreed to do so. God's response was to tell
Iblis to go to the grave of Adam (a.s.) and make prostration, meaning to acknowledge
Adam. On hearing this response from Moses, Iblis replied, "What...
Never..." and went off in anger. Don't many of us behave in this manner?
It has a lot to do with egoism!
Therefore, it can
be said that the attitude and behaviour of Abu Lahab and Abu Jahal, were in
keeping with their created states. COVID is a good example. Regardless of all
the advice given, we all have our own point of view, based on our own beliefs,
arising from our natures.
Environmentally,
you are shaped by culture and religious beliefs etc. All these aspects are mere
features in your make-up. They all represent your created state (fitrah), but
does it mean that you have no options or opportunities to change your destiny? Yes,
you can! You cannot remove a tiger's stripes but you can tame a it.
"Indeed, God will not change the condition of a people until they change
what is in themselves. And when God intends for a people ill, there is no
repelling it. And there is not for them besides Him any patron." (Surah
Ra'd 13:11).
[Note: I have used God instead of Allah, not out of ignorance, but rather accommodation. Whether you are a "convert" or "revert" merely reflects technical jargon and intelligence. God is interested in what your are in terms of submission and not in fancy-talk or lip-service.].
If you really want
to change, look at your rotten self everyday on your praying mat and you will
find less time seeking the faults of others, or complaining too much. You will
realise two obligations, one to your self and the other towards others. The
first deals with fulfilling your obligations to God and the second, to avoid
harming anyone. Cease blaming Satan for every bad thing happening to you. He is
merely fulfilling his role. His "job-designation" ordained by God, is
to mislead those who want to be misled!
During my youth (I
am now 77), I worked as a Printing Supervisor. One day, my boss got fed-up with
me and said, "Everyone cannot be wrong all the time!" He said this
because every time there was a monthly meeting to review work, I would end up
blaming others for what went wrong at the work place under my watch. I never
forgot those words and I can say that most of the time the fault lies with us.
In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads: "And why beholdest
thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that
is in thine own eye? " (Matthew7:3).
In concluding, I would say that you are what you are, based on factors mentioned earlier. Based on this evidence, your created state (fitrah) determines you destiny (Qada' and Qadar). In a certain context, it was preordained by God or as some would say, the outcome of circumstances. The only way one can change it is to turn to God, seeking His forgiveness, mercy and kindness; to keep exerting every effort to improve, and if you fail, at least you did your best. If you make the grade, that too was preordained. In a worldly context, you did it. However, what you achieved is once again a reflection of your created state. It could be morally righteous or corrupt, and the wealth you achieved can be a blessing or a curse to you. "As you sow, so shall you reap!"
