Bismillah,
I didn't realize the impact of advertising and commercials until I visited a first world country. It might have been my innocence at the time, but I had this unrealistic world view that if you say something, especially as an organization, it had to be the truth. This quickly changed when I encountered my disappointment in realizing that the products weren't quite what was advertised. In order to validate the image, you had to test the product.
It's interesting, we have this image of ourselves that we often show others and believe to be who we are. We have all these things we believe of ourselves, but the true reality might be different and we might not even know it. The only way we'll truly know, is if evidence goes against our belief.
We know from the Ulama, based on evidence, that Angels do not have the ability to disobey Allah(swt). Jinn and us humans do have free will and therefore have the ability to disobey. Therefore knowing this, when you read this verse, Allah(swt) teaches us something interesting about the following situation :
Surah Kahf (18)
[50] (Recall) when We said to the angels, “Prostrate yourselves before ’Ādam.”
Shaytan used to keep company with the Angles, therefore Allah(swt) gave the instruction to the Angels and Shaytan.
So, they prostrated themselves, all of them but Iblīs (Satan).
We know that the Angels would never disobey, it's not part of their make up, therefore this command was really a test for Shaytan. He was such a great worshiper of Allah(swt) that he was raised to be among the Angels, but through one command, Allah(swt) tested his sincerity. Was the worship for Allah(swt), or the worship really just for himself. We know, he didn't bow down as commanded.
Each and everyone has a perception of who they are, what they think of themselves and what they want others to see. The true reality is exposed by the situations we face. We proudly proclaim the Shahadah, Allah(Swt) is one and the Prophet(saw) is his Messenger, saying Islam is the true path, but what is reality of our Iman if we can't even perform our Salah? At the time of Salah is Allah(swt) still our lord, ofcourse, so what is our reality?
We like to talk about the rights of others, social justice, but trample on the rights of our parents on a daily basis, what does that say of us, what is our reality? We like to think of ourselves as truthful and loyal, but when we're faced with a situation do we lie and cheat? What is our reality?
We may look down on a certain sin, but when we're in that situation and fail, what does that say of us, what is our reality? We can't blame anyone but ourselves for our own actions.
This is something every one of us should be evaluating when it comes to our state. Allah(swt) is constantly testing us, but what does the reality of our self evaluations reveal when tested? It may be difficult to accept, nor would many want to really know, but it's necessary if we are to improve ourselves. It is necessary if we have any care on how we will present our hearts on the day of judgement.
Ramadan is coming up, a perfect opportunity for reformation, but we have to start the process today. We have to begin the change now.
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from Islam https://ift.tt/2ESvYqh
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