ممﻼﺳﻹاءﺎﻴﺣإ REVIVING ISLAM

this quality in many places and in one this quality in many places, and in one particular Surah, Surah Fussilat, Allah Ta'ala states:

The Angels line up in rows, placing trays of bounties from Paradise before him, each one bringing glad tidings of a favour from Allah Ta'ala, just as the men of a family put numerous things before a crying baby to soothe its heart. All this is done to bring him delight, even before he enters Paradise itself Finally when he enters Paradise, the joys and rewards are endless and his happiness knows no bounds - a place no eye has seen, no ear has heard of, no heart has perceived.

When a person believes in Allah and remains steadfast in refraining from sin and carrying out acts of devotion, the Angels surround him in this world and bring him glad tidings of paradise. They form his circle of friends, and embark with him in his vehicle as he journeys through life The Angels give him comfort when he is sad, they protect him when he is in danger, they accompany him when he is lonely and they share his joy when he is happy. They navigate him as he drives along his route, directing him which turns to avoid, and which turns to take, lest he gets lost

"We [angels] were your allies in worldly life and [are so] in the Hereafter..." (Verse 31)

This quality of steadfastness is so supreme, it elevates a person to a level which allows him to befriend the Angels - a pure and sublime creation of Allah Ta'ala Apart from giving him company in this world, as he departs to the Hereafter, the Angels do not abandon him He enters into the unseen, where he is naturally scared and anxious, since he has never traversed this path before Even here the Angels do not desert him, but continue accompanying him until he reaches the various stages of the next realm

"...And you will have therein whatever your souls desire, and you will have therein whatever you request [or wish]" (Verse 31)

"As accommodation from a [Lord who is] Forgiving and Merciful" (Verse 32)

Perhaps on the odd occasion, this slave of Allah Ta'ala will slip up, puncture a tyre or dent the side mirror, but immediately he will compensate with tears of remorse and regret He will fix his flat tyre, even if he is on the side of a bustling highway, and continue with his journey. He will re-centre his compass and renew his faith each time he falls. If he breaks down, he does not remain stationary, rather he immediately fixes, re-aligns and keeps his tyres moving He picks himself up, dusts himself off and flees back to Allah Ta'ala Allah Ta'ala will overlook his faults and forgive his sins, a Rabb Most Forgiving and Most Merciful

Remember, we are not worshippers of Ramadan, rather we are worshippers of ArRahman, who is with us wherever we are, whichever time of the year we find ourselves in How beautiful it would be if we have the same level of Taqwa, whether it is New Year's Eve, or Laylatul Qadr, whether we are in a mall or a masjid, whether we are surrounded by a group of scholars or complete strangerswe remain conscious of Allah Ta'ala regardless of the time of year, or where we are in the world or who may surround us.

May Allah Ta'ala bless us with the quality of steadfastness. Àmîn.