We say farewell to Sha'ban as we stand before the door of holy Ramadhan InshaAllah. As we anticipate Allah's grandest mercy which He reserves in the shahrun mubarakun, let's learn a lesson from the honorable Ghawth al-Azam Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani, a lesson he had given towards the end of Sha'ban 545H.
It's a good reminder for us not to confuse His destiny and the role that we are supposed to play as His servant in this dunya, while we can still stand upright before the day comes when all we could do is lie flat.
Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani said as quoted in The Sublime Revelation translated by Allahyarham Muhtar Holland:
"This world is all about wisdom (hikma) and work ('amal). The hereafter is all about power (qudra). The former is based on [divine] Wisdom, while the latter is based on [divine] Power, so do not give up work in the domain of wisdom, and do not underestimate His Power in the domain of power. You must work in the domain of wisdom in accordance with His Wisdom, and not depend on His Power. Do not make destiny (qadar) an excuse for your lower self (nafs), for it will try to use it as a pretext and give up work. Laying the blame on destiny is the pretext of the lazy. Destiny can only count as an excuse outside the sphere of the [divine] commandments and prohibitions."
May Allah protect us from illusion and laziness.
May Allah grant us plenty of wisdom.
May Allah grant us the strength to do plenty of work, before we step into the hereafter - a realm where we will all be overwhelmed by His Power, for verily He is our Creator, our Lord subhanahu wa ta'ala.
Farewell Sha'ban.
Marhaban Ya Ramadhan!
Farewell Sha'ban.
Marhaban Ya Ramadhan!
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