Almost Time

Posted under General Musings, On Religion, Politics by khaalidah

On October 20th early voting begins here in Houston.  Insha Allah , I intend to be there.  During the primaries, I stood in line, while wearing boots, for three hours, after work, so that I could cast my vote.  My right to vote has never meant as much to me as it does now.  It isn’t just that this election, which ever way it goes, will be history making.  It is the fact that this country has descended to such unforgivable lows in the past few years that.  Each and every vote counts, and if we fail to initiate positive change for this nation, Insha Allah , it will not be because I failed to do my part.  All I can do is be present and pull the lever.

Well that isn’t all that we can do.  I have heard, on only a very few occasions a bit from our candidates about personal accountability.  Being the wealthiest nation on earth (are we anymore?) comes with some responsibility, not just to the world in which we live, but to ourselves.  Affluence (which so many of us take for granted never realizing that we are) should never make us so comfortable with our lives that we forget how to live with a sense of frugality.  We should know how to derive comfort from the simple things.  We should know how to do without, how to make due with little, how find success in the things that are intangible. 

As we strive to fill our lives with the things we think we need, a newer larger car, designer clothes, bigger homes in more affluent neighborhoods, a wall mounted plasma screen television, the mp3 players, the snazzy colorful gadgets and cell phones, we unwittingly crowd out the things that really matter.  Time with our families, time for our faith, time for our studies.

We have become so preoccupied with this life and as a result, so many of us have lost precious time that could have been devoted to preparing for the next life.

There are obstacles, this I know because Allah has promised them.  My most favorite ayats from the Qur’an states:

Surah Ankabut 29:1-6

1. Alif Lam Mim.

2. Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, We believe, and not be tried?

3. And certainly We tried those before them, so Allah will certainly know those who are true and He will certainly know the liars.

4. Or do they who work evil think that they will escape Us? Evil is it that they judge!

5. Whoever hopes to meet Allah , the term appointed by Allah will then most surely come; and He is the Hearing, the Knowing.

6. And whoever strives hard, he strives only for his own soul; most surely Allah is Self-sufficient, above (need of) the worlds.

If we will live in this world, we will be tested in terms of our faith, our families, our livelihood…  None of us will be exempt.  In my own life, I have been able to identify so many of the challenges that Allah has put before me, but Subhanallah, who am I?  I know nothing.  and so, there are countless other challenges that have been set before me that I had no idea were there.

This all gets me thinking, yet again (perhaps this is a continual test for me, Allah knows best) about loving for the sake of Allah , forgiving for the sake of Allah , and acting for the sake of His pleasure.  This has been a recurring thought for me, and Insha Allah , I will find success in this aspect of my life.  May everyone else also learn to master their own nafs toward  receiving the favor of Allah .  Insha Allah .  Ameen.

So, back to the election.  Obama has my vote.  I am all for change, but even more than that, I am all for being proactive.  If I want to see change in my life, in my spirit, in my soul, I must learn to master my nafs, my anger, and even my love.  I must also learn to take part.  I can’t sit down on the sideline and let life happen.  I must vote, and raise my voice and earn this blessing that Allah has given me: Life.  May Allah continue to be kind.

Khaalidah

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