Parable: The journey of our daily lives
Our life in this world is like a boat in the ocean, some days are very rough and some days are very calm (just like our daily life).
To sail through the horror of the violent cruel waves of the ocean, our boat has to be very strong.
We have to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah-fearing. 002:177
So we have to be prepared to accept the trials and tribulations we may encounter. (Allah’s swt test and the devil calamities).
To guide (steer) our boat from the dangerous waves will not be an easy task for us, since the violent wind and waves would envelope us from all sides.
Indeed we have to depend on Allah (swt) for His Guidance to help us over ride the calamities in the world. To protect our boat from sinking due to a vicious storm would not be easy as well.
(To avoid the devil’s whisper would not be easy for us).
To jump out from our boat into the rough ocean would be a very foolish thing to do.
(Less chance of survival).
To lose our faith and try to run away from troubles facing us would likely put us in more trouble. We cannot run away from trouble, since we are weak in our faith and strength, the devil would always be after us, probably stronger every time, and if we give up early then we would become his slave (the devil).
To stay in our damage boat as long as we possibly can, and at the same time try to repair the damage would be the best and wise thing to do. We should not panic when worries or troubles fall on us, but we should turn to Allah (swt) and take all of our complaints to Him. It would be a step in the right direction towards patience, courage and faith to overcome our difficulties in our daily life.
There are all kinds of boats in the ocean (likewise all kind of people in this world).
Some boats are equipped with more than one engine (the envious and spiteful people) while other boats have no engine. The boats without any engine here refers to the people who are very humble, kind and have lots of patience, also they could be very poor. The boats with more than one engine here refer to the people who are very unkind, greedy and jealous. The more they have is the more they want, they are never satisfied, they look around to see what other people have and would try to compete or surpass them, they want to be more superior or powerful than others. They would even go after the poor people to steal from them and would also try to destroy them and their family by bringing shame and disgrace upon them. Their prey are especially the righteous people so that they can stop doing righteous deeds, the oppressors never looked back as to how much Allah (swt) Almighty has bless them with.
Allah (swt) says in the Holy Qur’an:
As for My servants, no authority shalt thou have over them”. Enough is thy Lord for a Disposer of affairs. 017:065
Your Lord is He that maketh the ship go smoothly for you through the sea, in order that ye may seek of His Bounty. For He is unto you most Merciful. 017:066
Note: The power of evil over men is due to men limited free will, (in other words man own hands do evil) but those who loyally worship and serve Allah (swt), evil has no power over them.
Some boats usually carries or tow another small boat, so that if they ran into trouble, they could use the smaller boat to seek help, also they can use it to rescue other people who maybe in distress.
This explains the people who are righteous, pious and kind at heart, who are always willing to help others in distress, and whose advice can put a fire out (cool a fire) to bring peace, unity and love into one’s heart and his distress home.
A good and capable captain has the ability to maneuver his boat through any roughness in the ocean, he may not be able to protect his boat from damage form adverse conditions, but he would never give up, he would take control of the situation because he care for his life and the lives of others in his boat and try to reach his destination safely.
Every bad beginning on a journey does make a good ending if we hold on strongly on the rope of faith and patience. This is how we must conduct ourselves and take control of any bad situation before it gets out of hand. Patience, communications, words of peace, wisdom and love will remove any fear and will lead to happiness, and by doing this Allah (swt) will be pleased, and in turn He would put smiles on our faces, and reward us in this world and in the hereafter.
Allah (swt) Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an:
If any one does a righteous deed, it ensures to the benefit of his own soul; if he does evil, it works against (his own soul). In the end will ye (all) be brought back to your Lord. 045:015
Then Praise be to Allah, Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth,- Lord and Cherisher of all the Worlds! 045:036
To Him be glory throughout the heavens and the earth: and He is Exalted in Power, Full of Wisdom! 045:037
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