Abu Ya’la Shaddad ibn Aus, radiyallahu ‘anhu, reported that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, said:
“Verily, Allah has enjoined excellence (ihsan) with regard to everything. So, when you kill, kill in a good way; when you slaughter, slaughter in a good way; so everyone of you should sharpen his knife, and let the slaughtered animal die comfortably.”
All great revolutions are channeled by the idea that one CAN do that which they once dreamed of. Every great dream and aspiration has a set of obstacles before it, and as each obstacle is surpassed one becomes more aware of their strength and endurance. The story of Yousuf (as) and Prophet Muhammad (saw) is no different. Yousuf (as) brothers plotted to kill him just like the Quraish plotted to kill the Prophet Muhammad (saw). The prophecy being applied here is truly beautiful, in fact, in understanding the story of Prophet Yousuf (as), one can better understand that which the Prophet saw endured. Hardly two years passed after its revelation when the Quraish, like the brothers of the Prophet Yusuf conspired against him in a plot to kill him. Just as Prophet Yousuf (as) emigrated to Egypt and gained respect and power, so did the Prophet Muhammad saw. True victory is only for the believers, and defeat was felt by the brothers of Prophet Yousuf as well as the Quraish. “Show mercy to us for Allah rewards richly those who show mercy” (12:88), and subhanAllah the Prophet Yousuf quickly overlooked all the wrong they had inflicted upon him – despite his great status at that time in Egypt. He said, “Today no penalty shall be inflicted upon you. May Allah forgive you. He is the greatest of all those who forgive” (12:92).
This same story is indicative during the conquest of Makkah, and subhanAllah just as the brothers of Yousuf (as) had to humble themselves before their brother, so did the Quraish in front of the Prophet. Similar patience is reflected in both cases, as the Prophet Muhammad (saw) told the Quraish “I am giving the same answer to your request that Yousuf gave to his brothers: ‘Today no penalty shall be inflicted upon you: you are forgiven.’” Every loss and every failed attempt only brought them closer to their goal. The thirst for perfection and success was tight, and as they strove to please their Lord, they kept their eyes fixed on a goal; a goal that was smeared with tests from beginning to end. Just as these men exhausted their efforts, we as an ummah must commit to exhausting our efforts.
Whether you are a mother who is striving to raise her kids with the primary goal of pleasing Allah (swt), or a student maintaining a 4.0 gpa, or a new revert simultaneously struggling to please her parents and wear hijab, you must exhaust your efforts. With each individual role one must reach for the stars and aim above and beyond, because only then will they taste how it feels to truly endure the fight, and as one can see from our glorious past: the more you endure the the sweeter your reward inshaAllah.
Subscribe to Comments
Entries (RSS)