Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. May the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon Muhammad, His last Messenger, his household, his Companions and all those who follow him till the last Day.
The due is strong enough, so it is clear that the three journeys are the journey into life, the journey through life and the journey out of life. And it is obvious that human beings are mostly clueless about two of these three journeys and most are very flippant about the journey through life.
Journey into Life
We are passive passengers as we undertake the journey into life; but not so our "drivers" for the journey. They (the drivers - our parents) consciously planned the trip, prepared themselves very well for it and did their best - in terms of hopes and prayers - to ensure that the trip commences earnestly. All this while, the would-be passengers (that's us) were in that state as Allaah says:
"Has there not been over a man a period of time, when he was not aching worth mentioning? (Q76 [ad-Dahr]: 1).
As for the "drivers", their faces would have lit up with joy as our trip started, they would have been happier when we became involved -if not conscious passengers - as the trip entered its fourth month; and they would undoubtedly be happiest when the journey ends as we (the passenger) disembarks. Our journey into life is most intriguing, less so forth mostly passive passenger but more so for the "drivers". They would be very relieved as the trip concludes successfully; so they throw a party [our aqeeqah] mostly for gratitude for a safe and successful journey!
Journey out of Life
This is a necessary journey that everyone that sets foot on this earth must take. It is a lonely journey and if one gets any support at all on this journey, and then it is usually an unwilling support. Multitudes have taken this journey since this world began many are taking the journey as you read this but all must take the journey at appointed times. For everyone, this journey will be agonizing – death and its rattles are some of the most painful ordeals that man must go through. The journey into life ends with some real pain but that pain is soon forgotten because it delivers the joyous bundle called baby in most cases.
As for the journey our of life, its painful termination [loss of life] begets more pain – the pain of sorrow, the pain of loss, the pain at the onset of another life [in barzakh] and the pain at the beginning of resurrection. If the journey is dramatic and long drawn [like it happened to Late Umaru Musa Yar adua – may Allaah forgive him and grant him mercy] the pain for the survivors is even more acute
Journey through Life
For many people blessed with many years of existence on earth, this journey could be one real journey or a journey of several trips. We take many trips within this journey – many of these trips are aimless, most without direction, but all of them will eventually be accounted for. Each day of our life is a trip, each phase of existence (childhood, puberty, adulthood, old age etc.)could also be monumental trips in themselves.
Do we ever pause to examine ourselves on the purpose(s) of our several trips? Do we examine whether these trip purposes are consistent with the sole purpose of our journey through life? Yes our journey through life has a purpose – one purpose only and none other but that purpose. Allaah says:
“And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).” (Q51 [adh-Dhaariyat]: 56).
So are you ‘tripping’ for this sole purpose? You dear reader must answer that by yourself. What we have put forward in this edition is how you should prepare and undertake any of the numerous trips of your life so that your existence will be a safe journey. Bon voyage!
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited