What We Need More Than Food or Water, by Shaykh Faid Mohammed Said

Allah, Most High, tells us in Qur’an about the most important thing we need in our life; the thing that we need more than food and drink, more than family and friends, more than the air that we breathe: peace and tranquility. Shaykh Faid Mohammed Said explains.

Allah, Most High, placed absolute peace and tranquility in His remembrance, as He said in Surah Ar-Ra’d (28): “Those who believe and they find peace and tranquility in remembering Allah; verily, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are made tranquil.”

We would not enjoy anything if we do not have peace and tranquility in our hearts. You cannot enjoy the best of anything if your mind is all over the place, if you are worried about something, anxious to get something, or if something is bothering you.

Remembrance is to see the problem that you have, to recognize its magnitude, to not discount the problem and how it may affect your life, affect your reputation and relations, and when taking into account all of this your Remember the only solution – to say Ya Allah! This is Remembrance!

The Story of Musa

Remembrance is the story of Musa, may Allah bless him, when he was between the sea and the soldiers of the pharaoh, when no one saw a solution, Musa, may Allah bless him, said: “My Lord is with me and He will guide me” – that is Remembrance!

In that situation, Musa, may Allah bless him, was under pressure from the people of Israel, as they did not see other than the soldiers of the pharaoh and the sea, but Musa, may Allah bless him, said: “My Lord is with me and He will guide me!” (Surah Ash-Shu’ara,62)

The story of Abu Bakr

Remembrance is the story of Syedina Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, when he traveled on the night of hijrah with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him,, and whilst in the cave Syedina Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, out of worry said, if they were to tie their shoelaces they would see us!

He realized that they were in a small place that was not protected – he was seeing the practicality of the situation out of his love and care for the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. But in response, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“Do not be worried, indeed Allah, Most High, is with us!” the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, is teaching Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, and us that we take practical steps and do all that we can, but we do not rely on anyone other than Allah, Most High!

In that moment of worry, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, redirected our attention to say: “Indeed, Allah is with us!” – So do not be worried!

The story of Yaqub

Remembrance is the story of Yaqub, may Allah bless him, when he was tested by the loss of Syedina Yusuf, may Allah bless him, and his younger brother; he was blamed by his children when they said:

“By Allah , you will not cease remembering Yusuf until you become fatally ill or become of those who perish.”

In response, Yaqub, may Allah bless him, said: “Verily, I complain and I speak about my sadness to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you do not know.” (Surah Yusuf, 85-86)

So in that moment of sadness, when he needed to take a breath and talk about his sadness, Yaqub, may Allah bless him, spoke to Allah, Most High,! He knew Allah, Most High, would listen and not judge him, and that there was no One to listen, comfort or help him other than Him – that is Remembrance!

The Remembrance of Allah, Most High, is to remember His Mercy, His favors and in our moments of joy to thank Him – that is Remembrance, and that is gratefulness!

The Story of Sulaiman

Remembrance is the story that Allah, Most High, tells us in Surah An-Naml when the ant spoke to its fellow ants and said – go to your places so that Sulaiman, may Allah bless him, and his army do not crush you while they are unaware. Upon hearing this Sulaiman, may Allah bless him, smiled and said: “My Lord, enable me to be grateful for the blessings you have bestowed upon me and my parents, and enable me to do righteous deeds that please You. And by Your Rahma, admit me into the circle of your righteous slaves.”

When Sulaiman, may Allah bless him, heard what the ant was saying, while no one else heard, he did not think about his Prophethood or any good he has done that Allah, Most High, made him to be in that position, but rather, he did not only thank Allah, Most High, but he begged Allah, Most High, to make it easy for him and to facilitate his gratefulness for the favors that had been bestowed upon him and his parents – that is Remembrance!

Every time, in every place, secretly and openly

The Remembrance of Allah, Most High, is not limited to a time or place, as Allah, Most High, said in Surah Ahli-Imran (191): “…remember Allah while standing, sitting or lying on their sides…”

Remembrance is in every time, in every place, secretly and openly. That is why Allah, Most High, says: “And remember your Lord, alone, beg Him, when no one can see you, in the early morn and late in the evening, and do not be among the heedless. Indeed, those who are with your Lord (malaika) will never stop remembering Him; they glorify and worship Him.” (Surah Al-A’raf,205-206)

Remembering Allah, Most High, is the life vof the heart and the light of the heart! It is the foundation of all that is good. That is why Allah, Most High, said in Surah Al-Anfal (24):

“Oh you who believe respond to Allah, Most High, and to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, when they call you to that which brings life.”

That life and that light (nur) is in the Remembrance of Allah, Most High,! This remembrance is an invitation that has been given by Him and through the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. The Call is beyond our understanding our even conception, and that is why Allah, Most High, summarized its meaning by saying “when they call you to that which brings life”, it is the absolute life, and we only beg Allah, Most High, as Musa, may Allah bless him, begged Him in Surah Taha, to open our chests and our hearts to understanding the meaning of this life.

May Allah, Most High, bless you and your jummah with every khair.

[cwa id=’cta’]