السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
Today is Thursday 9th April 2020. My chosen subject today is ‘Simplicity’.
As I ponder over the history of the arrival of our first generation into the UK, I am constantly reminded of the sacrifices made by our elders. In the 1950s and 1960s, they left their beloved homeland to come and settle on foreign shores. The majority, if not all, left their parents and families behind looking for a better and prosperous life for their families and generations to come.
So what was life like in the early days? Our fathers first came alone, to a foreign land. They didn’t know the language, or the culture, and had probably never seen snow. Sometimes 5 men, sometimes 10, would share small houses. They worked shifts (day, night, morning, and afternoon), doing very hard labour, weaving, spinning, etc., in factories where the noise was deafening. They suffered hardships but came through them.
Then came the families, our mums, with us, and slowly settled in small 2 bedroom houses. Our families were large, but everyone managed. Our fathers still toiled hard, working away, but our life was simple. We had food, we had drink, we had clothes, and we had shelter. Most importantly, we safeguarded our Īmān and Islām. We also helped our families back home.
Now I fast forward 60 years; it’s 2020. Where are we brothers and sisters? We live in mansions, have the best cars, and are enjoying life as if there is no tomorrow. Spare a thought for the ones not as fortunate as us. They are still back home, maybe poor. Also, please don’t forget our Marḥūmīn because of whom we are where we are today.
Live a simple life, fulfil your necessities, and enjoy your life, but remain within limits. All the extra bounties you have been bestowed with, share them with the less fortunate. Feed the poor and needy, and look after the orphans and widows. Let’s go back to basics.
A word of caution here to my ꜤUlamā colleagues. We have to practice what we preach. Our Bayāns are full of the sacrifices made by our Beloved Prophet Muḥammad صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. We talk very emotionally about His hunger. About the hunger of the Saḥābah and Saḥābiyyāh رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ. But when it comes to practice, we also have fallen prey to worldly desires. Of Course, have a comfortable life, and enjoy the Bounties of The Almighty, but all within limits. We cannot tell the masses to live simply and not act upon it ourselves.
Whilst I have touched upon it, my heart bleeds when after attending an emotional programme or Bayān where the hunger and difficulties of the Holy Prophet صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ and Saḥābah رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ are mentioned, and an hour or two later, food is served. The variety on our dastarkhwān is amazing. What happened to the Bayān we just came from? The ꜤUlamā need to set an example, the masses need to follow.
Once again I apologise for my harsh tone. I address myself first. If it helps others then thanks to The Almighty. Take care.
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا for reading
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والسلام Hanif Dudhwala