Assalamu’alaikkum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh!

If you haven’t noticed, we as humans are becoming weaker and weaker over time. Most of our daily tasks are extremely simplified. I’m sure you have all thought about this at some point or another when you were told stories of your great grandfather walking twenty miles a day in scorching heat only to carry stones from point A to point B when he reaches his destination!

When I was a child listening to these stories I would feel thankful for the easy ways that we live in today. However now that I think about all these “easy ways”, I’m starting to change my mind. How can we be thankful for things that contribute daily to our weaknesses?

Imagine how different we would be if we had to hunt and gather to feed our families every day. How much more alert would we be if we were constantly avoiding being hunted or assassinated? How much stronger and tougher would we be if we had to fight off weekly invaders to defend our people?

It’s these aspects of life that most of us no longer experience. So what now? Are we doomed to be fragile for the rest of our lives?!

…

Of course not!

Be Alert

We may not live a life where we are constantly on the hunt, but there are many ways that we can train ourselves to be more aware and attentive.

The Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: “Two eyes will not be touched by Hellfire: An eye that cries from the fear of Allah, and an eye that spent the night in a guard post in the path of Allah.” [Tirmidhi]

Be Tough

Now this isn’t just for the brothers; the sisters must also learn to be tough. “How” may differ in some ways, but nonetheless, we must all become tougher! We live in a world that promotes softness and weakness. The Prophet (s.a.w.) and his companions lived an extremely tough life. There was no room for fragility! Even in prayer they would push themselves to the limit standing for hours in front of Allah (Subhanahu Wata’ala).

In the last verse of surat Al-Baqara Allah (Subhanahu Wata’ala) says:

“Allah does not impose upon any soul a duty but to the extent of its ability…” (2:286)

That verse should put peace in our hearts and remove the fear of anything except Allah (s.w.t.). We should put ourselves through some difficulty every once in a while so that we can become tougher Muslims and break the patterns of today!

May Allah make us strong on His path!

Source: muslimstrength.com