Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh!
How many times have we heard someone say open your eyes!? Its a familiar phrase but its also a highly overlooked one. What does being alert even mean?
Some may say that being alert means to never rest, always looking over your shoulder. This may be true for the non-believers, but it is not true for Muslims. In Islam we understand that Allah is our Protector, so it would not make sense to be alert in a way that we cannot rest.
Be Cautious of Deception
Umar ibn Al Khattab (r.a.) once said: I am not a deceiver nor will I allow someone to deceive me.
We live in a time where the wrong is presented to seem right, and the lies are presented to be truths. We are surrounded by a culture, whether it is in the west or the east, which tells us to lie to reach our goals. A business man will swear by Allah over and over again just to sell a piece of cloth that he claims to be the best. Making up pointless lies has become something of an expertise for people. Unfortunately people are forgetting where Islam originated. Islam originated in Arabia, a land where written contracts did not exist. Nobody worried about filing a lawsuit against another person. Business transactions were made by promises and the promises were fulfilled even if they were given to an enemy.
Being alert in times like these is not only limited to the marketplace. Almost every household has a television or a computer where constant news updates and ideas are being fed to us. There are three things we can do: listen and believe everything, not listen at all, or listen and be alert of the deceptions. Knowing how the leaders of the media make their lies and tricks is very important; knowing their techniques will keep us aware in times of confusion inshaAllah.
So listen closely, my brothers and sisters, and learn how your enemies make their lies.
Be Alert of Your Surroundings
We walk down the paths of this world with our eyes closed like robots. Open your eyes and look around brother! Lowering your gaze does not mean you cant examine your surroundings. How many windows do the buildings around have? Are they easily climbable? How many trees have strong, low branches? Do the shadows match their objects? Does something seem or feel strange?
These are only a few questions that a strong, alert person will ask themselves on a regular stroll in the world of Allah. Khalid bin Al-Waleed did not win all of his battles by closing his eyes. He was alert and aware; his eyes darting back and forth from one place to another.
How Can We Be More Alert?
There are many ways to train ourselves to be more alert, so I will just mention a few here. One way is to listen. Just listen to everything around you. We tend to focus on one or two sounds in the midst of hundreds of sounds. Try to expand your hearing so your ears can welcome the sounds that they normally ignore.
Another way is to put yourself in an environment that forces you to be focused on your surroundings. A knowledgeable martial arts instructor will put his students in a very intense environment that will shock the nervous system greatly. Unfortunately it is difficult to find such a decent instructor, but check your local martial arts schools; you may find something that will interest you.
A simpler and inexpensive way is to just pay attention; be conscious about your awareness. Being more alert is really an important thing to focus on. Being alert will improve our faith and strength for the sake of Allah.
Are they not aware that they are tried once or twice in every year, yet they do not turn (to Allah) nor do they mind.- (Quran 9:126)
Train yourselves to be alert and aware my brothers and sisters. May Allah strengthen us.
Source: www.muslimstrength.com
How many times have we heard someone say open your eyes!? Its a familiar phrase but its also a highly overlooked one. What does being alert even mean?
Some may say that being alert means to never rest, always looking over your shoulder. This may be true for the non-believers, but it is not true for Muslims. In Islam we understand that Allah is our Protector, so it would not make sense to be alert in a way that we cannot rest.
Be Cautious of Deception
Umar ibn Al Khattab (r.a.) once said: I am not a deceiver nor will I allow someone to deceive me.
We live in a time where the wrong is presented to seem right, and the lies are presented to be truths. We are surrounded by a culture, whether it is in the west or the east, which tells us to lie to reach our goals. A business man will swear by Allah over and over again just to sell a piece of cloth that he claims to be the best. Making up pointless lies has become something of an expertise for people. Unfortunately people are forgetting where Islam originated. Islam originated in Arabia, a land where written contracts did not exist. Nobody worried about filing a lawsuit against another person. Business transactions were made by promises and the promises were fulfilled even if they were given to an enemy.
Being alert in times like these is not only limited to the marketplace. Almost every household has a television or a computer where constant news updates and ideas are being fed to us. There are three things we can do: listen and believe everything, not listen at all, or listen and be alert of the deceptions. Knowing how the leaders of the media make their lies and tricks is very important; knowing their techniques will keep us aware in times of confusion inshaAllah.
So listen closely, my brothers and sisters, and learn how your enemies make their lies.
Be Alert of Your Surroundings
We walk down the paths of this world with our eyes closed like robots. Open your eyes and look around brother! Lowering your gaze does not mean you cant examine your surroundings. How many windows do the buildings around have? Are they easily climbable? How many trees have strong, low branches? Do the shadows match their objects? Does something seem or feel strange?
These are only a few questions that a strong, alert person will ask themselves on a regular stroll in the world of Allah. Khalid bin Al-Waleed did not win all of his battles by closing his eyes. He was alert and aware; his eyes darting back and forth from one place to another.
How Can We Be More Alert?
There are many ways to train ourselves to be more alert, so I will just mention a few here. One way is to listen. Just listen to everything around you. We tend to focus on one or two sounds in the midst of hundreds of sounds. Try to expand your hearing so your ears can welcome the sounds that they normally ignore.
Another way is to put yourself in an environment that forces you to be focused on your surroundings. A knowledgeable martial arts instructor will put his students in a very intense environment that will shock the nervous system greatly. Unfortunately it is difficult to find such a decent instructor, but check your local martial arts schools; you may find something that will interest you.
A simpler and inexpensive way is to just pay attention; be conscious about your awareness. Being more alert is really an important thing to focus on. Being alert will improve our faith and strength for the sake of Allah.
Are they not aware that they are tried once or twice in every year, yet they do not turn (to Allah) nor do they mind.- (Quran 9:126)
Train yourselves to be alert and aware my brothers and sisters. May Allah strengthen us.
Source: www.muslimstrength.com