Aspire to spread wisdom, not feelings of despair.
Aspire to spread wisdom, not feelings of despair. A few months ago while praying, my 5 year old cousin made a bit of a noise during the waqt (prayer time). To say the least, her 8 year old sister wasn’t impressed at all.
Once I completed my Salah and lifted my hands to make dua, this is the conversation that took place between the two:
8 year old: “stop going on, you don’t have respect. Allah Ta’ala is watching you. The angel on your left side is writing down your bad deeds and with the age of mama (our grandma) you going straight to jahannum (hell). You’re not gonna drink juice (she loves juice), you’re gonna drink boiling water.
There’s big thorns, you’re gonna eat poison apples and the devil is just gonna laugh and say “oh fresh meat!”.
She (referring to me) is not that old so she can still make mistakes, but when you mama’s age, and you die, you go straight to jahannum.”
I was trying to concentrate while making dua but failed miserably. At first, I was smiling while the words flowed from my mouth, then I stiffled my laughter and then the crying began. My 5 year old cousin lost her mind, and cried uncontrollably (reasonably so). The 8 year old lectured us about this life, the hereafter and then told the 5 year old “I know it’s very sad but try to understand”.
After this lecture, it took everything in me to explain and make them understand that your age does not define the mercy of Allah, or the chances of you going to jahannum because Allah’s mercy is greater than what we could even begin to fathom. I’ve come to the realisation;
(2:32) قَالُوا سُبْحَانَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَا إِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ
Translation (They said, “Exalted are You; we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who is the Knowing, the Wise.”)
The purpose of gaining knowledge is to convey it others and apply it your character. The best amongst you are those who learn the Qur’an and teaches it to others.
Perhaps my 8 year old cousin’s intention was good but the words gave her sister feelings of despair instead. May we be amongst those who speak good, or remain silent and those who speak to others in a beautiful manner to bring them closer to Allah Ta’ala. Aameen
