Setting Our Priorities Right

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

The Companions of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) were the best generation of this Ummah. They were keen to compete in offering all good deeds and they were very keen students of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant peace). They were in the habit of asking the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) about everything which relates to the religion. They realized that Islam is a complete way of life, which requires them to modify or amend, or totally change their practices, so that they are in line with what Allah requires of them and what pleases Him. Therefore, they went to the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) asking him about anything on which they did not have clear guidance. At times, they put their questions in general terms in order to establish a certain principle or a definite list of priorities.

Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, a companion of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) who achieved great renown as one of the leading scholars among the companions of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace), reports that he asked the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) once: “Which action is most pleasing to Allah?” He answered: “To pray on time.” I asked: “What comes next?” He answered: “Then comes kindness to one’s parents.” I said: “What comes next?” He said: “Next comes jihad for Allah’s cause.” [Related by Al-Bukhari, Muslim and others.]

We note that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) mentions first a pure act of worship (prayer) which falls in the area of personal relationship with Allah as the act most pleasing to Him. He follows that with an action, which falls in a very narrow section of social relations, i.e. family relations. He places both actions above the one, which has more to do with public life and with the common welfare of the Muslim community. If we think about it, the two first actions require much less effort and sacrifice than the third one.

This Hadith reveals that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) had a keen insight into what motivates people to work and to sacrifice. We know that prayer is the most important duty imposed by Islam. The first thing that we will be asked in the Day of Judgment is our prayers.

Prayers do not impose a very heavy burden on the individual. It is an easy and pleasant duty, which makes a person constantly aware of what Allah requires of him and keeps him on his guard against falling in sin. It is only natural that the fulfillment of the top and most frequent duty should earn the greatest reward from Allah. What the Hadith tells us is that prayer must be offered on time in order to earn that great reward and be most pleasing to Allah. In other words, punctuality is of essence for prayers to be so highly rewarded. Praying on time, no doubt, is teaching us to be punctual in all our daily affairs -- appointments and getting worldly things done on time, no procrastination. Punctuality is a quality that is becoming extinct in today's world even in Muslim societies. Next time you delay your prayers, remember, procrastination is one of the shaytan entrances to destroy you. Don't say, "I will pray when I am done with such and such" or "I'll pray at home." etc. Remember, you might not live even till the next breath.

Excellent treatment to parents is placed second in importance. There is no doubt that our parents have the greatest claim on our love and kind treatment. Nothing that we may do for them especially in their old age, when they grow weaker and more dependent on us, compensates them for the kindness and love they show us when we were young and totally dependent on them. We need only look at any child being cared for by his mother in order to appreciate how great the sacrifice of the mother is and how little the child can offer in return. People may not argue about the claim of parents on their children’s kindness, a duty that earns reward from Allah. Allah rewards us for our good actions although we may do them only by way of duty. But the emphasis placed by Islam on this kindness to parents is due to two different considerations.

First, it is easy for a child just reaching adulthood to be preoccupied with his own affairs, looking after his own interests, and to be proud of strength, tough position, etc. It is very easy for such a person to be negligent in his duty toward his parents. Some people find it very difficult to part with their money, even when they have to pay it to their own parents. They may have more than enough for their own needs, and their parents may be poor, but nevertheless they find it extremely difficult to help their parents financially. Some people find it very difficult to keep their communication and good companionship with their parents after they get married. It is not uncommon to hear about cases of unkind treatment of parents. Hence, the reminder is needed and the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) reminds us in the most effective of ways.

Secondly, with such a great claim on their kindness and love, which our parents posses, if we do neglect our duty, we are bound to neglect other duties which our religion imposes on us. We will definitely be less inclined to be kind to others who are not related to us. We will be hesitant to extend our help and support to those who need it and have no immediate claim on us. Such an attitude is totally alien to Islamic behavior. Hence, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) stresses this duty. He says in another Hadith reported by Al-Bukhari on the authority of Abdullah ibn Omar: “Allah’s pleasure is dependent on the pleasure of parents, and His displeasure is caused by the displeasure of parents with their child.” In this Hadith the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) shows that the surest way to earn Allah’s pleasure is to be kind to one’s parents. If one is unkind to them to the extent that their love is replaced by displeasure, anger or bitterness, then this is the surest way to earn Allah’s displeasure. There can be no gloomier prospect than this.

Next important action is jihad for Allah's cause. Jihad requires a person to recognize the fact that Allah's words are paramount, accept it and hold firmly to it, and to convey it to others. In order to do this; a person may have to sacrifice his wealth and his life. Jihad means to accept these risks willingly. Although most people understand the term to mean fighting the enemies of Islam in order that Islam may achieve supremacy over all other philosophies and creeds, its significance is much wider than its erroneous translation as “holy war”. Every action which serves the purpose of establishing Islam firm in his heart and conveying it to others, including an information campaign, is part of jihad. It earns great reward from Allah. Since jihad requires a positive effort, which involves sacrifice of one’s time, money or life, it tends to overshadow other virtuous actions, which bring us reward from Allah as well.

Abdullah ibn Amr reported: A man came to the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) asking permission to strive in jihad. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Are your parents alive?” He said yes. The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Then strive in their service.”

May Allah grant us sound understanding of His religion and enable us to worship Him and treat our parents with excellence. Ameen.

And Allah knows best and He alone grant success.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wassallam.

Wassalaam