Al Hikam Wisdom 18

  "Delaying deeds to wait for a better opportunity, is a sign of a hard heart"

This wisdom is actually not foreign to our ears. It's just that when the situation really exists, many don't realize it. The first thing that must be understood is the meaning of the word "charity" earlier, which literally includes all kinds of human deeds.

Here, Ibn Athaillah does not generalize all kinds of activities. He only specializes in religious activities. So in this case it takes study and explanation in as much detail as possible in order to understand and a means of reminder to all the public later.

In order to make the discussion easier, al-Buthi started by making a kind of example.

Example 1 : There is a person who is keen to pursue a business by trading. He was always busy with his business all the time so that he paid little attention to his religious activities. Often heedless of the commandments that God had previously ordained. Then a friend reminded him. But instead he avoided, while giving various reasons that even made no sense. He might say something like this: what you asked about earlier was already in my plenning and included in my agenda notes, but not now is the time, but later if I have become a successful businessman. Now I have to focus on business first. If I miss this business opportunity, I am afraid that there will be no more business vacancies in the future.

Example 2 : A person who is bestowed with a lot of wealth by God. He lived his life full of prosperity. Then a friend rebuked him; if only he had left a little treasure for those in need. Could it be done? He may answer this: what you said earlier is not true. I never forget my obligations to the poor. I promise if my business is successful and continues to grow, I will distribute 20% of the profits to the poor, but not now. Wait until my business is a big success, then I will realize the plan.

From these two examples, how should we behave? How to deal with this kind of person?

We refresh the wisdom earlier, "Procrastinating charity to wait for a better opportunity, is a sign of a hard heart" .

Dealing with people like this, said al-Buthi, must be with a cool brain. Unless the subtle way doesn't work, then it must be with a firm attitude. Now let's explore this word of wisdom with some reflections that arise from the heart and then enter the heart as well.

Try to ask, what made him heedless of God's commandments? Also ask, then what is God's purpose in bringing him into the world?  At first he may be confused, or indeed do not have an answer! let's ask the following words of God as an answer.

And I did not create the jinn and mankind except that they might serve Me. I don't want any sustenance from them and I don't want them to feed Me. (Quran 51:56-57)

O you who believe, fulfill the call of Allah and the call of the Apostle when the Messenger calls you to something that gives life to you, know that Allah limits man and his heart and indeed to Him you will be gathered. (Qur'an 8:24)

O you who believe, protect yourselves and your families from a hell fire whose fuel is people and stones; His guardians are angels who are harsh, harsh, and do not disobey Allah for what He commands them and always do what is commanded. (Qur'an 66:6)

In QS 51:56-57, QS 8:24 and QS 66:6, the point is; Allah created all creatures only to worship and unite Him. This revelation command is fixed and non-negotiable. So he should know that in addition to having to live life properly, there are still demands from Allah that should not be underestimated: namely to worship, carry out all orders and stay away from His prohibitions.

Why should it be like that? Because Allah has guaranteed the sustenance of all His creatures as wide and wide as possible. You see, what is the relationship between the demands of God's obligations and the fortune that is obtained every day? The answer, of course there is. Suppose you are a king's ambassador, then sent to control a territory. Of course the cost of living has been borne by the king. The primary needs in the form of clothing and food along with other things that can support his performance, have been fully provided by the king, so that he always focuses on the important activities that the king has assigned to him. So that he doesn't have to think about living income. That's the parable of our life in the world. Actually God has outlined all our needs since time immemorial.

So great is God's love for us. Sustenance for ourselves and our families has been provided abundantly by God. Then, are we still going to postpone the obligations that Allah has assigned to us? Should we continue to disobey Allah?

Alright, let 's introspect ourselves with the following reflection. Try asking our hearts,

Can we guarantee this life until tomorrow?

Could it be that we constantly focus on business activities, even though death is always lurking behind us?

There are too many examples of people who during their lives were so enthusiastic, but suddenly had to stop because of a fatal accident, for example!

Think deeply about this sentence, my friend. Allah is Mighty. The Quran mentions this in QS 84:6. Try to think about it...

Second introspection , how can we put forward business activities or other worldly things, while delaying our core obligations to Allah? Even though our fortune has been borne by God, God has often spoiled us.

Ask yourself, what's the point of a passionate spirit if in the end it only defeats a more core spirit, namely worship.

What's the point of being rich if it makes us forget Allah, the one who gives us fortune. We are despicable creatures before Allah.

Third introspection , we must know that every command and prohibition of Allah must have a certain purpose and wisdom. That is to educate the soul and cleanse the heart of destructive impurities. The wisdoms of Allah's commandments go hand in hand with our activities.

Do not try to distinguish God's commandments from worldly activities, because it will make us lose money in the future. Suppose we are a servant. A waiter must be able to present the mainstay menus where he works. The dishes and side dishes served should not be separated with spices and salt for flavoring. All ingredients must be according to the recipe. If everything is according to the recipe then the food you eat will taste good on the tongue. Just imagine if the ingredients were separated, could the food be eaten. Of course not. The same is true of our daily activities. No matter how busy it is, don't neglect God's obligatory commands. Life is beautiful when we can manage our time well. 

That  's all Wisdom-18, hopefully it will be of great benefit.

Wassalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh