Prologue
In the sitting of the Holy Prophet (SAW) one day when he was
addressing some people, a Bedouin Arab came to him and said, O
Messenger of Allah! When would the Hour (Doomsday) take place? The
Messenger of Allah continues his speech, so some people said the
Prophet (SAW) heard the question asked by the Bedouin Arab but dislike
it. Some of them said the Prophet (SAW) had not heard it. Upon
concluding his speech, he (SAW) said, where is the questioner who
inquired about the hour (Doomsday)? the Bedouin Arab said, I am
here O Messenger of Allah. The Prophet (SAW) replied, When trust is
lost, then wait for the Hour (Doomsday). The Bedouin said, How will
it be lost? the Prophet said, When the power or authority comes in
the hands of unfit persons, then wait for the Hour (Doomsday.)1
1
Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 3, Kitaab Al-Ilm, hadeeth No. 57. Narrated by Abu Hurayrah.
integrity in spite of being tormented by extreme poverty and alienation is
a soul possessed by a strong, trustworthy individual. The Prophet (SAW)
was nicknamed Al-Ameen (The Trustworthy) by his people even before
attaining Prophethood and Messengership. The trustworthiness of Musa
(AS) was put to test in Madyan at a point of extreme uncertainty, fear
and deprivation when he ran away from Egypt for fear of being killed by
Firawn (Al-Qasas, Q28: 23-26). Thus the protection of the rights of Allah
and the rights of His servants requires a character that is not
chameleonic in nature, a firm and unalloyed character that can stand
the vicissitude of life, and that is the quintessence of Al-Amanah.
2
Sahih Muslim. Book 20. Chapter 4, Kitaab Al-Imarah, Hadeeth No. 4491. Narrated by Abu Dharr.
In essence, possession of competence in certain areas or scholarship in
religious ordinances does not necessarily translate to ability to fulfill the
obligations of Al-Amanah.
Our Salaat (Prayer), Zakaat (obligatory alms), Siyaam (fast) and Hajj
(Holy Pilgrimage) are trust (Al-Amanah) that must be discharge
accordingly with sincerity of intention and seeking the pleasure of Allah
alone. The templates for these acts of worship (intentions) must be pure,
its performance must conform to the rules as enshrined in the Quran
and Sunnah and the motivating force must be the pleasure of Allah and
His Paradise.
Our bodily parts are trust (Al-Amanah) from Allah. The tongue, the eyes,
the ears, the nose, the hand, the stomach, the feet and the private parts
are bestowal from Allah (SWT) with propensities for virtuous and evil
actions. Humankind and Jinn will give accounts before Allah on how
these organs are utilized. The utilization of these organs for virtuous and
meritorious acts and their protection from perfidious and immoral
tendencies will guarantee the preservation of these trusts, which is so
pivotal to our success in this world and the Hereafter.
Our wealth and children are trust (Al-Amanah) from Allah. The discharge
of these trusts is as important as the trust (wealth and children) itself.
The upbringing of our children in the way of Allah, painstaking and
conscious commitment to their success in this world and the next and
dissipation of our wealth to those entitled to it and the overall benefits of
humanity will guarantee our protection from the impending doom and
tribulation that awaits the defaulters of these trust (Q8:27-28, Q9:34-
35).
The following chapters discuss the issues raised in this prologue. While
acknowledging my deficiencies as a human in attending to these issues
efficiently, I pray to Allah (SWT) to accept this little contribution as an act
of worship and to make it one of my hasanaat on the Day of Judgment.
Divine guidance lies with Allah (SWT) alone.