Narrated by Shahr bin Haushab who said, I asked Umm Salamah (r. ‘anha), “O Mother of the Believers! Which supplication did the Messenger of Allah (S) make frequently when he was in your house?” She said: “He (S) supplicated frequently: “O Controller of the hearts make my heart steadfast in Your religion).”
وعن شهر بن حوشب قال: قلت لأم سلمة، رضي الله عنها، يا أم المؤمنين ما كان أكثر دعاء رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، إذا كان عندك؟ قالت: كان أكثر دعائه: “يا مقلب القلوب ثبت قلبي على دينك” ((رواه الترمذي، وقال: حديث حسن)).
Source: Tirmizi
Transliteration: ‘Ya Muqallibal Qulubi, Thabbit Qalbi ‘ala Dinik.”
In another words, the Prophet (S) used to supplicate often that Allah keeps him committed to the principles of Islam,
For us here in Canada, another Eid this year is over, but as believers, we cannot take a rest or a vocation from our faith!
We know that upon saying the Shahadah and becoming Muslims, we make the covenant with Almighty Allah, the Creator.
At this point of time, we promise a commitment which is the essential foundation of any Islamic activity, especially in Canadian Muslim community (ies).
These committed individuals are named by Allah as ‘The Just and Balanced Nation – Ummatan Wasata.’
They individually and collectively stand in the world as witnesses to humanity: “Thus We have made you a Just and Balanced Nation, that you be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger of Allah witness over you.” (Al Baqarah 143)
Being called ‘Ummatan Wasata’, having this status is a great honor but a great responsibility as well.
Meeting the obligation to be called Ummatan Wasata and playing the role of the Just and Balanced Community are the goals set for the believing community in Canada.
To achieve these goals, members of the believing community must commit themselves to the covenant made with Allah.
What do we mean by the term “commitment”?
According to the lexicon, the term “commitment” means the state of being pledged, obliged to something.
What is then the Islamic commitment?
It means to increase the sense, the feeling, the consciousness of being pledged and obliged to Almighty Allah and the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S) and the betterment of others and environment we live in.
It is the sense of responsibility towards ourselves, others and environment.
In short, commitment means to make more serious and concrete pledge to work and sacrifice for the cause of Allah by making ourselves accountable to Him and making shore that others benefit from us for His sake.
Allah informs us about the Right Direction and the commitment to it in the following words: “Say: Verily, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin.” (Al An’am 162)
The best example of the commitment is found in the lives of Prophets, the Sirah of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S) and the life of Sahabah.
Those who read it, first what strikes them is the high level of commitment of the members of the early Muslim community to the cause of good in the name of Allah.
1. Look at the commitment of Bilal (r) who was tortured under the Arabian sun. (We are not asked to sacrifice so much!) Look at the faith which he had. Look at the words: Ahad, Ahad, Ahad (only One God). Look at the power of his sincere Iman. Look at his struggle for social justice! Look at his readiness to sacrifice that others could have freedom.
2. Look at the commitment of Abu Bakr! He leaves his property, good social status among the Quraysh and follows the Din of Islam. He gives ALL for the pleasure of Allah and betterment of people/community.
3. Look at the personality of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S), his Iman, and his energy. He refuses all the gifts, power of Duniya by choosing the Din of Allah: ‘If you would give me the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left hand I would never stop the mission ordered by Allah.’
4. Look at the lives of Ibrahim, his son Ismail and the Mother Hajar and you will find amazing examples of self-sacrifice and commitment for the sake of Allah.
Ya Rabb! Help us make our hearts committed to the Din, follow the path of commitment of the great giants and role-models from our past and make us of those who would commit ourselves to the principles of righteousness that the Almighty is pleased with.
Allahumma Amin!
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Commitment in Din: Meaning and Importance
