If the kings only knew...by Rawa Muhsin

It is reported that Ibraaheem ibn Ad-ham (one of the righteous predecessors) once said:

If the kings, and the sons of the kings, only knew what we are in of joy and comfort, they would fight us over it with their swords to attain what we possess of the taste of life and the scarcity of discomfort.¹

It is, indeed, sad when we consider this saying, then we look at the attitude of some Muslims today. Due to their lack of understanding of the Deen, they crave for the disbelievers' way of life, behavior, clothing, culture, and even their lousy movie and music "stars".

We should understand the statement of Ibraaheem ibn Ad-ham in the context of tasting the sweetness of faith. No doubt the stronger the faith of the servant, Allaah may test him with harder trials to test him and increase his reward. But the "scarcity of discomfort" is evidenced by the true believer's patience and gratitude for Allah's decrees.

Our comfort, our honor, and our success is only in understanding our Deen and applying it in our lives, in general, and in detail. It is reported from 'Umar ibn al-Khattaab that he said:

We were the most dishonored nation until Allaah honored us with Islaam. So whenever we try to seek honor through anything other than what Allaah honored us with (i.e. anything other than Islaam), then Allaah will humiliate us.²

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1) Reported by Abu Nu'aym in Hilyatul Awliyaa' (7/370)
2) Saheeh; reported by al-Haakim (207); see Saheeh at-Targheeb (2893)

Source : QuranClub Islamic Blog If the kings only knew...