15
"Nobody knows for sure," a voice seemed to answer him from
afar, " Live in fear and hope of the next life!"
Photo courtesy: http://community.webshots.com/user/rriezabos
Waali's mood shifted a little, and his eyes wide opened with the
realization that he had found his purpose on earth: to pray Allah and
to do good deeds was the only way to Jannah.
He recalled the gardener who had fasted a lot and the green birds that
were martyrs. For the moment, he could not give alms or fight in
Jihad, but there was charity in being kind to any living creature as his
grandpa had been all his life. There was charity in teaching what he
knew to others. The words he had so often found in the Sunnah went
clearer in his mind:
"To remove something harmful from the road is charity."
This hadith taught responsibility.
"Charity erases sins just as water extinguishes fire."
This hadith taught him to have trust in what he was doing.
"Show mercy to people on earth so that Allah will
have mercy on you in the heaven."
This haadith taught about an opportunity and a choice.
Finally:
"Try to avert fire even by half a date (given in
charity) if not by tendering a good word."
This last haadith taught about fear and hope.
Waali saw how everything was connected even if it took a
lot of efforts to see it. He pictured in his mind the complexion of a
beautiful inmate of Jannah, transformed as she looked into her
mirror. Maybe this mirror was the face of Allah, he pondered, and
his heart was suddenly seized with hope and fear. .
He whispered as if to himself:
"There is much to do with one's health, leisure, wealth, youth and
life. There is much to do in preparation for what comes next.
Yahh Allah! Guide me!"
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