The Parable of a Man with a Horse-Islamic Reflection 03

The Parable of A Man with a Horse -A Story to Reflect

In one of the Islamic Lectures, We were asked a very Interesting question. We were asked to suppose that we live in time when horses are used for transportation as it used to be in the past. One day, one of our friends invites us to his house and we get there by riding our horse.

Now, how would we feel  if our friend totally ignores us and starts feeding and looking only after the horse ?

We will feel confused. We would say to our self – How Strange ? It is me who is supposed to be treated in this manner not the Horse. Right ?

The above situation sounds abnormal but that is exactly what we are doing today. Allah has given us a body and a soul. The soul rides on the body to pass through this world.

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In other words, the body is like the horse and the soul is like the rider of the horse. Today, we are continuously busy in feeding and looking after the body but totally ignore the well being of our souls.

As a result, our souls have become so weak without the spiritual food that it is not strong enough to even push us to go to the Masjid or wake up for Fajr prayer. Thus, it is essential that we strengthen our soul with the spiritual food as shown by Islam, such as keeping the company of the pious, recitation of the Holy Quran, Dhikr of Allah and contemplating over the Greatness of Allah.

This parable is a lesson for all of us to leave all that is distracting us in the way of  purification of our soul.

Allah says in surah Baqarah:

﴿لَن يَنَالَ اللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلاَ دِمَآؤُهَا وَلَـكِن يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَى مِنكُمْ﴾

(It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is Taqwa from you that reaches Him.)

That is what He will accept and reward for .

We should have the fear and respect of Allah swt and we should glorify him for every blessings for every favour that he bestows on us.

Instead of wasting tine in beautifying ourself for the sake of duniya ,we should work on beautifying our heart and correct our morals through the teaching of Quran and hadeeths. Allah says :

«إِنَّ اللهَ لَا يَنْظُرُ إِلَى صُوَرِكُمْ وَلَا إِلَى أَلْوَانِكُمْ، وَلَكِنْ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى قُلُوبِكُمْ وَأَعْمَالِكُم»

(Allah does not look to your appearance or your colors, but He looks to your hearts and deeds.)

And in the Hadith; (Indeed charity falls in the Hand of Ar-Rahman before it falls in the hand of the one asking.)

Islam places a great emphasis on good behaviour. The Prophet (saw) said:

“I have been sent for the purpose of perfecting good morals.” (Recorded in al-Haakim)

Therefore we can see that one of the essential things that the conduct of the Prophet (SAW) Muhammad shows us is how to behave. He (SAW) defined, illustrated and taught us the best of manners. We cannot use our own desires to decide what type of behaviour is best, we must look to the example of the Prophet (SAW) to show us what is best.

In another hadith, the Prophet (Saw) stated:

“I am a guarantor of a house in the highest part of Paradise for the one who makes his behaviour good.” (Recorded in Abu Dawood)

Let’s ask ourselves,

Do we always hold our tongue and refrain from saying harsh words or negative things about others?

Do we always keep our word? Do we greet those that we know and those that we don’t with salam?

Are we calm and gentle, even with our children?

Do we treat others as we would wish to be treated ourselves?

Is our conduct worthy of the highest part of Paradise?

Do Reflect and Ponder and do let others know what you feel by commenting in the comment Box below. Jazak Allah Khair.

May Allah help Us improve our Manners and Conduct . May Allah forgive our Faults and Shortcomings and Make us Muttaqin . Ameen.

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