Came across on Whats app a very thought provoking talk by a Muslim lady on Taqdeer, and could not resist the desire to share this insight and knowledge, with readers of my blog.
As it was an Mp3 file, requested my son to make a video and the pictures of pruned trees are the result of my reflection, on this wonderful talk. May Allah bless the lady, as I do not have her name.
Now for those who are familiar with Urdu /Hindi, I think hearing the talk will suffice. For those, who are not that familiar, specially for my English speaking friends , I will expound and at the same time, share my reflections with you.
The subject of Fate - Taqdeer has always been and exiting as well as a complex subject, Many divergent views are held by different sections and strata of society. Those who are successful in life, generally feel and advocate that 'Fate is in our hands, we are the makers of our destiny, and they go on and on ... many make a lot of money by writing motivating books and conducting talks, but at times, a tragedy strikes, life takes a different and unexpected turn, and it becomes difficult to cope.
On the other hand there are others, who are laggards in life, they do not put any effort, and blame it on their fate for the miseries and shortcomings of their lives.
The talk strikes a nice balance between Fate on one hand, and the 'free will' on the other.
The example of a tree is beautifully illustrated to make one understand the nuance of Fate and Free will.
Allama Iqbal says:
' sanobar ( a tree that grows to great height) bagme ajaad bhi hei
paa bagil bhi hei ( its roots are stuck deep in the soil)
inhi pabandi yo mei hasil ajadi ko tu karle'
So poignant and so very true. We should like the tree, although constrained should use our given free will to the optimum and make our life worth living. ALLAH will never question us on our limitations, for HE IS ALL KNOWING. However, we are answerable to HIM for the things we fail to do achieve, with the freedom He has so graciously granted us all.
On the other hand there are others, who are laggards in life, they do not put any effort, and blame it on their fate for the miseries and shortcomings of their lives.
The talk strikes a nice balance between Fate on one hand, and the 'free will' on the other.
The example of a tree is beautifully illustrated to make one understand the nuance of Fate and Free will.
Allama Iqbal says:
' sanobar ( a tree that grows to great height) bagme ajaad bhi hei
paa bagil bhi hei ( its roots are stuck deep in the soil)
inhi pabandi yo mei hasil ajadi ko tu karle'
So poignant and so very true. We should like the tree, although constrained should use our given free will to the optimum and make our life worth living. ALLAH will never question us on our limitations, for HE IS ALL KNOWING. However, we are answerable to HIM for the things we fail to do achieve, with the freedom He has so graciously granted us all.
Moulana Ali (SA) was asked by a seeker of knowledge about Taqdeer. Moulana Ali (SA) told the man to lift his leg, which he was able to do without any difficulty. Now he was told to lift the other leg, which in spite of his best effort, he was unable to do. Moulana Ali (SA) said that lifting of your first leg is 'free will' but your inability to lift the other leg, is Taqdeer.
Another very important aspect of Taqdeer is our complete acceptance and surrender not with a feeling of helplessness (what can I do, it is beyond my control) but with a sense of joyous serenity, which should come after having diligently tried our level best, having exhausted all possible options, coming to accept, with serenity and peace, that the condition in which one is, is because of Fate.
Not only that one should also have a firm belief, that although I do not know why in spite of my best and sincere efforts, things are not working to my advantage, or tragedy has struck me - the belief to have is that I KNOW NOT - ALLAH KNOWS BEST. I submit to HIM
The lady talks about a very poignant doa - only four words but so full of meaning.
'val rida bil qadr' to accept Fate with happiness. To embrace your Fate without sulking, without feeling remorse and sadness. As you embrace joyously the good fortunes, wealth and life's pleasures, likewise embrace the whatever Fate has in store for you.
As I took my routine morning walk, I was totally engrossed with the thoughts on Taqdeer, and my attention was riveted on the freshly pruned trees in the garden. The branches have been cut, the dead leaves have been removed, but the trees are not complaining, for these trees are for accepting their Fate knowing fully well, that whatever happens, is for their good and their growth. Withing a short period all the trees in my garden will be blooming, all resplendent, some with beautiful flowers, others all green with abundant leaves.
I stood there in front of my teacher, so to speak, and learnt a lesson in life. It is common for us to resent and be up in arms, when our peers and elders, who have our good in their heart, restrict us, do a little pruning, which in our Deen we call ' tamhees' and we are loath to accept, but as we advance in years and knowledge, the real value of that pruning if realized.
Presently we are celebrating the 102nd Milad Mubarak of our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) and his mansoos A'li Qdr Mufaddal Saifuddin Moula (TUS) irshaad mubarak is to plant more and more trees, and also to keep them and lovingly tender them in our homes and work places.
So whenever you look at the trees, and for that matter if you reflect on all the natural elements, who are providers of our daily sustenance, the thing that will strike you first and foremost, that all them are willingly submitting to their Fate and the Will Of Allah. A life lesson indeed.
As I took my routine morning walk, I was totally engrossed with the thoughts on Taqdeer, and my attention was riveted on the freshly pruned trees in the garden. The branches have been cut, the dead leaves have been removed, but the trees are not complaining, for these trees are for accepting their Fate knowing fully well, that whatever happens, is for their good and their growth. Withing a short period all the trees in my garden will be blooming, all resplendent, some with beautiful flowers, others all green with abundant leaves.
I stood there in front of my teacher, so to speak, and learnt a lesson in life. It is common for us to resent and be up in arms, when our peers and elders, who have our good in their heart, restrict us, do a little pruning, which in our Deen we call ' tamhees' and we are loath to accept, but as we advance in years and knowledge, the real value of that pruning if realized.
Presently we are celebrating the 102nd Milad Mubarak of our beloved Aqa Moula (TUS) and his mansoos A'li Qdr Mufaddal Saifuddin Moula (TUS) irshaad mubarak is to plant more and more trees, and also to keep them and lovingly tender them in our homes and work places.
So whenever you look at the trees, and for that matter if you reflect on all the natural elements, who are providers of our daily sustenance, the thing that will strike you first and foremost, that all them are willingly submitting to their Fate and the Will Of Allah. A life lesson indeed.
Nurturing plants at home. Alternating between 'harkat' and 'sukoon' with the rise and fall of the wind, my home plants are growing - a life lesson learnt as I observed and reflected.
Not be goal driven all the time, but like the plants to live a life of ease, and when the winds are favorable, when opportunity knocks, to make the best of it. Alternating my life between 'ease' and 'effort' I will surely grow.
Appreciate the initiative taken by Pune Jamaat in free distribution of plants to the public and shop keepers en route of the grand Milad Mubarak procession as it wounds its way from Burhani Masjid to Husaini Baugh.
