Asaalamu Alaikum,
My name is Ihssan or a.k.a Gracedmind. I am an aspiring writer and reside in Chicago.
Masaalam
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Everything half off!: Are you really getting a deal?
InshAllah I begin with clearing my intention. The reason why I began this blog was to benefit myself spiritually and hopefully to spread the little knowledge I myself have. In the past I had a blog on Xanga as well but I was distracted and much good didn’t come out of it. In the essence of my screen name I have decided to start my Xanga with a story InshAllah.
There was once a devoted worshipper among the Children of Israel who owned nothing except for a robe made of wool and a water canteen, which he would use when he would go around offering thirsty people a drink of water. When he was on his deathbed, he said to his companions, “Indeed, all that I leave behind in terms of worldly thing are my robe and my canteen. I cannot bear carrying them on the day of resurrection, so when I die, give them to the king, for he will be able to carry them along with his other worldly possessions.”
When the worshipper died, his companions went to the king and told him what the worshipper had said before dying. “The worshipper said that he will not be able to carry a mere robe and canteen!” exclaimed the king. “Then, on the day of resurrection, how will I be able to carry all the worldly things I have in my possession?” he accepted the robe and wore it. Then, taking the canteen in his hand, he left the kingdom and began a new life that was devoted to Allah and o the service of His creation: He like the previous owner of the canteen went around serving thirsty people water.
This story prompted one thing that I had in mind since I came back from overseas this summer. The sisters that I was staying with in Istanbul lived so humbly MashAllah. One sister in particular, Hatice (pronounced Khadijah), had two jilbaabs for the entire year. I felt ashamed thinking about how much I had packed for my summers stay. I have a closet full of Abayas and some that I probably haven’t even worn for several months. I won’t even begin to talk about the dozens of scarves I own. Dear Sisters, I made a resolution that will perhaps help you as it did for me. For me ISNA is a time in which I shop ruthlessly for scarves and Abayas. Just like many other sisters, I suppose, I am trying to stock up for the entire year to come. Can you imagine all useless clothing we have in our closets? Imagine what a burden those material objects will be on the Last Day? This ISNA I used my money in other productive ways and I promised my self that I wouldn’t allow Shaytan to tempt me in such material ways. Even when I enter a store I try to keep my intention clear and get exactly what it is that I need. Sure, at times I get tempted by the buy one get one half off shoe sale, but Alhamdulillah all we can do it try and that itself will eventually help us succeed. So what kind of deal are you really getting? You are not really getting a deal by catching that sale instead you are making yourself less prepared for the Hereafter.
Ameen…
Wa Alaikum ma Saalam
-Gracedmind
