The Story of Apes Ibnul Jauzi: His books were sold by his stubborn son

 

The Story of Apes Ibnul Jauzi: His books were sold by his stubborn son

Everyone has their own definition of what pleasure is. But for sure, every individual will feel happy when he gets pleasure. In fact, all kinds of efforts are made in order to get this pleasure.

In expressing the happiness of getting pleasure, everyone is also not the same. Some are very happy, some are just ordinary. Some were so happy that they reported it to the general public. Or, for some reason, someone hid it and kept it tightly closed.

Which one is true, the favor is disseminated information or closed tightly so that no one knows? In this case, it seems that the word means the word of Allah SWT. the following are worth pondering:

وَاَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ 

"And of the favors of your Lord, declare (with gratitude)." (Surah Ad-Duha [93]: 11)

Shaykh Nawawi al-Bantani, when interpreting this verse, mentions a narration from Sayidina Husein bin Ali radiyallahu 'anhuma, which reads, "If you do good, then tell others, so that they imitate it."

The order, according to Sayyna Husein, applies if there is no arrogance in the heart and is accompanied by an assumption that the person being told will imitate it.

The interpretation above illustrates that enjoyment can also be in the form of a willingness to do good/worship. Thus, every worship—whatever its form—should be reported to other parties, provided that there is no arrogance. Or if it causes arrogance, then hiding it is the best way.

In another verse, Allah SWT says:

اِنْ تُبْدُوا الصَّدَقٰتِ فَنِعِمَّا هِيَۚ وَاِنْ تُخْفُوْهَا وَتُؤْتُوْهَا الْفُقَرَاۤءَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَيُكَفِّرُ عَنْكُمْ مِّنْ سَيِّاٰتِكُمْ ۗ وَاللّٰهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ خَبِيْرٌ

"If you show your alms, then that is good. And if you hide it and give it to the poor, it is better for you and Allah will erase some of your faults. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do." (Surat al-Baqarah [2]: 271)

Through the above verse, Allah frees people to show or hide the alms (as a variant of worship) that they do. Both are equally good. Showing alms is considered good if it is free from arrogance. Meanwhile, hiding alms is also good if done with a feeling of fear of being infected with arrogance.

Of course, no human being knows for sure what's in another's heart. Therefore, the verse above, we should use it for self-introspection, not to judge others. This verse must be understood as food for reflection, not as a bullet to "shoot" other people for the actions they have done.

Especially now. We can, through social media, easily find out what other people are doing or getting. If we are not good at regulating our hearts and emotions, we will fall into negative prejudices that we create ourselves to judge others. In fact, it is essentially the same as clouding our own hearts and minds.

A person is really required to be able to control his thoughts and emotions to proclaim or hide the favors he has received. In terms of salary, for example. Telling us how much we are paid with the intention that other people are working diligently is certainly a good thing.

But, we can also calculate, lest it will make other people feel jealous and envious. Don't let it be, after knowing what our salary is, other people will say, “They say the salary is only a million a month, but, after only working for two years, how come, you can already buy a car. Don't be corrupt!”, or similar slanted sentences.

Not everyone who knows we are happy will be happy with us. Maybe they will hate us. Therefore, we must be able to choose who will give the news about our happiness.

As a result, everyone is free to spread or hide the pleasures or enjoyments obtained. Of course, it should be adapted to each situation and condition. This is where our wisdom and thoroughness are at stake. Wallahu a'lam.