Fly soul, fly…

Reading the works of the scholars of the past, makes you wonder in awe of how deep they thought and contemplated in every aspect of life. Right now its like a trend to forward and share their quotes right? Sometimes without even internalizing it and sometimes relating to it saying “aah soo truueee”!

I was reflecting on how their lives might have been; so focused, so much self introspection, and so much contemplation.

Because if you think about it, behind the most beautiful, deep and thoughtful writings are hard heartfelt experiences, struggles, failures and successes. They went through it all, fought battles with their souls and with the outer temptations, they recognized their inner and outer enemies and worked on not letting it affect them. They lived ‘consciously’ every day, knowing the state of this world and the test they’re facing. They knew the real deal was to invest in their hereafter and be careful of it.

Did you ever feel that right now the world is so deluded into living their lives on social media? Like a virtual reality that makes one content with the way our profile is, the fame or good thoughts people have of us? Constantly ensuring we are up to date with the rest of the world, we aren’t ‘missing out’, and that our profiles are flawless.

Back then, this virtual reality for those amazing scholars was THIS world. Yes, there was no social media or internet back then. This world in itself was a delusion for them and they focused and fought and strove so hard on not letting it delude them. Hence, now we see mountains and mountains of their BEAUTIFUL works that takes ages to comprehend in depth since its depth can only be understood by those who really try and stand where they were standing back then. Understood by those who truly want to understand what those scholars got of the reality of life.

And the truth is, it is those scholars of the past who understood “virtual reality” very well; That this world is nothing but a delusion. Its like that movie inception we are in now. A virtual reality within a virtual reality. And only some who try and reflect everyday like those few did those days, will truly come out of it successfully.

“Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.

And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.” [Surah Ale imran, verse 185]

Oh but here’s the twist. –

Should we then abandon this world and sit in a corner, waiting for death, coz this world means nothing? No!

In one of the chapters of the Qur’an that we are highly recommended to read every single day before retiring for the night, Surah Mulk, Allah SWT tells us of our purpose of being born and raised in this world. Yes! The same world HE calls a delusion. He tells that He created us to test us which of us are perfect in our deeds, which one of us are better in deeds than the rest.  Like a competition, for the hereafter. A few verses after that, He mentions to us as to how He created this world so tame for us to walk on it comfortably, USE it comfortably and use its sustenance!
And how do we make use of this delusional world then? By using it as a tool, a means to attain that which is eternal, that which the scholars of the past strove for.

It is a matter of the intellect to know and use this world for the benefit of our hereafter. And make the BEST out of this world, without despairing.  🙂

Don’t let their praises delude you. Don’t let their criticism delude. Don’t be grieved over the matters of this world. Don’t be overjoyed  with its matters either. O soul, fly!

Fly like a bird, O soul! Take from the earth what you need and rise higher, for your station of settlement isn’t here yet..
Fly; but don’t flee from this world either..