Recently, a robot convinced its eight remaining friends, the other robots, that they would no longer work. As funny as this news may seem, it carries a profound message: after becoming machines, those robots realized that enough was enough; they could not work anymore. Yet humans, while working, have never been able to make themselves or their companions realize that they were sent into this world for another purpose.
The robots refused to continue working as machines, but humans, despite being human, stubbornly insist on behaving like machines. Yes, it is true that humans are compelled by a sense of responsibility to work. But we make that work our whole life. Where once we worked eight hours a day, we no longer feel surprised when we work twelve or fifteen hours for money. Gradually, money becomes the master of our hearts, replacing human bonds.
Humans not only distance themselves from one another but also from their Lord. In the race for money, one grows resentful and alienated from those around them. What will a person find in this universe if he cannot even find himself? He thinks he can buy everything with money, but peace, feeling, love, belonging, sincerity, loyalty, and respect are not purchased. These require heartfelt relationships with the people to whom one is connected.
A relationship with God cannot be built with money. He does not look at your clothes, degrees, career trophies, or bank balance—He looks at loyalty. How much loyalty remains in this world of disloyalty and materialism? Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala is so Majestic that if someone seeks the pleasure of a created being over the joy of the Creator, Allah may hand that person over to the creation. The Imams have said repeatedly: “Whoever prefers the pleasure of the creation over the pleasure of the Creator, Allah hands him over to the creation.” Conversely: “Whoever does not consider the creation for the sake of Allah’s pleasure, Allah will provide for him in all his affairs.”
Zaheen Shah Taji wrote:
Loyalty is the answer to loyalty,
What I desire is the madness of love.
Nowadays the season of silent evenings has come. Give this silence a chance to converse with the silence within you. Stop running around—sit quietly somewhere alone and take responsibility for yourself. Ask: Where do I stand? How much am I fulfilling the purpose for which I was sent into this world? What is that purpose? What inner essence do I possess to fulfill it? Is there a God-given ability in me that can help me find the Lord or feel the closeness of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala? Yes—there is a creative essence in every human being that connects him to Allah. Whether through writing, painting, or singing—when one engages in such acts, one enters a special connection with Allah. The soul senses the soul of the universe within.
By performing such acts, a person—while living in this world—becomes free from its bondage and reaches another realm. Such actions, such selflessness, are food for the soul. If this hunger is not satisfied, a kind of spiritual death occurs: the soul does not perish, but layers of impurity accumulate until it forgets how to awaken.
For the awakening and life of the soul, it is essential to seek the company of spiritually subtle, pure-hearted people and to distance oneself from materialists as much as possible. Keep the company of those who recognize both their humanity and their role as the vicegerents of Allah. Such a company can introduce you to yourself. This companionship does not require a large group—one sincere companion is enough. As the Sufis say, a gathering is a gathering even if only two hearts meet. Such a companion will be a light for your journey, and gradually you will understand that the companion is both the journey and the destination.
I pray that Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala illuminates our souls with His light and brightens our journey with His radiance. Ameen, Ameen.
Sidra-Tul-Muntaha