Awakened

Awakened. That's the best word to describe my feeling after hearing the sad news of a good friend's husband's death. All the death-related quranic verses and ahadeeth came into mind all of a sudden. He was not even 40 years of age yet. I shuddered when realizing our age difference: only 9 years. Should I die within 9 years, I could not guarantee the initial 31 years could compensate for the lack of good deeds 9 years ahead. That, if I should die at the age of 40, what if the time comes earlier?

Being overwhelmed with work and family responsibility is fine as long as you do it with the intention of serving the ummah, thus automatically seeking Allah's pleasure. However, establishing the intention of doing everything for the sake of Allah is not an easy task. As a khalifah, we have to keep striving for purifying our intention in order to avoid being blinded with the worldly matters.

I came across this wonderful song by Maher Zain, another respectable artist under the same label as Sami Yusuf. As the song title suggests, you would be awakened by its lyrics. It is almost like a ceramah (talk), only with catchy melodies. Please ponder the attached lyrics as well

We were given so many prizes
We changed the desert into oasis
We built buildings of different lengths and sizes
And we felt so very satisfied
We bought and bought
We couldn't stop buying
We gave charity to the poor 'cause
We couldn't stand their crying
We thought we paid our dues
But in fact
To ourselves we're just lying

Oh...I'm walking with my head lowered in shame from my place
I'm walking with my head lowered from my race
Yes it's easy to blame everything on the west
When in fact all focus should be on ourselves

We were told what to buy and we'd bought
We went to London, Paris and
We made show we were seen in the most exlusive shops
Yes we felt so very satisfied

We felt our money gave us infinite power
We forgot to teach our children about history and honor
We didn't have any time to lose
When we were.. (were)
So busy feeling so satisfied

I'm walking with my head lowered in shame from my place
I'm walking with my head lowered from my race
Yes it's easy to blame everything on the west
When in fact all focus should be on ourselves

We became the visuals without a soul
despite the heat
Our homes felt so empty and cold
To fill the emptiness
We bought and bought
Maybe all the fancy cars
And bling will make us feel satisfied

My dear brother and sister
It's time to change inside
Open your eyes
Don't throw away what's right aside
Before the day comes
When there's nowhere to run and hide
Now ask yourself 'cause Allah's watching you

Is He satisfied?
Is Allah satisfied?
Is Allah satisfied?
Is Allah satisfied?

Oh..I'm walking with my head lowered in shame from my place
I'm walking with my head lowered from my race
Yes it's easy to blame everything on the west
When in fact all focus should be on ourselves