Page 32 - Passivity in Religion

PASSIVITY IN RELIGION

could be better at giving judgment than Allah for people with
certainty? (Surat al-Ma'ida, 50)
Because they rely on an errant outlook, rather than the
Qur'an, their entire thinking is corrupt. Believers know that the
real abode is the Hereafter, and that this life is only temporary,
and thus, dedicate all their efforts for Allah's cause. Their pur-
pose is to earn Allah's consent, mercy and Paradise. For this rea-
son, they give importance to things of this world only to the
extent they ought to, aspiring above all to the Hereafter. Those
who are taken over by passivity, on the other hand, give exces-
sive value to this worldly life.
Those who harbor such ignorance in their hearts, which they
want to impart to the Muslims, are overly concerned about mun-
dane matters. For instance, when they become sick, they fail to
put their trust in Allah, succumbing instead to excessive fear.
Because they are overly concerned about their own selves, the
possibility of any harm to their persons or to their interests leads
them to over-exaggerated reactions. Diseases frighten them terri-
bly, for they attach too much importance to this world, and are
not aware of the ultimate good in every aspect of the divine plan
decreed by Allah. They are not relieved even if after being given
a clean bill of health by several physicians, for they are consumed
with unjustified concerns. For relief, they invest their hopes in
medicine and doctors. Of course, one who is sick must receive
professional help from experts, and follow the treatment recom-
mended by medical care providers. However, in doing so, he
must be aware that neither the most effective medicine, nor the
best doctors, can bring about a recovery unless Allah wills, for
medicine, health care providers, or technology cannot be effec-
tive unless Allah wills so. Aware of the fact that it is Allah Who
has ordained diseases as well as their cures, believers put their

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