Means of Reconciliation with People Who Have Caused Us Harm (2/4)

5. Affliction and adversity can be avoided by pleading for Forgiveness and Remembrance of Allah, the Exalted, as Allah says, “Except those who repent and believe, and do righteous deeds, for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful”[1] A person who constantly pleads forgiveness is granted from Allah an exit from every difficulty and a relief from every worry, and is provided with sustenance from where he expects not, because Allah only sets upon us harmful things because of our wrongdoing, as He says, “And whatever of misfortune befalls you. it is because of what your hands have earned- And He pardons much.”[2] And, “Yet We destroyed them for their sins.”[3] And. “So We punished each (of them) for his sins.”[4]

We also find this notion expressed in the supplication, "O Allah, set not upon us because of our sins someone who fears You not and has no mercy upon us."

The Companions used to detect sins through deprivation of sustenance, and through the behavior of their mounts and servants. A relevant example is found in an incident that happened with At-Tirmidhi when he asked his son to do something for him and the son did not comply. At-Tirmidhi then said, "This is because of a shortcoming on my part." He did not blame his son, but blamed himself and tried to improve. Anyone who makes an effort to improve his relationship with Almighty Allah will find improvement in his relationship with everyone around him. Almighty Allah says, “And Allah puts forward the example of a town that dwell secure and well content; its provision coming to it in abundance from every place, but it (its people) denied the Favors of Allah (with ungratefulness). So Allah made it taste the garb of hunger and fear, because of what they used to do.”[5]

Also, one way to avoid affliction is to say often, "La Hawla wa la quwwata illa Billah (There is no ability or power except with Allah)."

6. All files of the past should be closed. Similarly, when we start a new morning, we should not expect to live until the evening; thus, we should live within the limits of the current day. All our concern should be focused on improving our day, because if we improve our current day, it will in turn improve the following day. Thus, it is imperative that we lake all measures to rid ourselves of negative feelings and close past files. This can be done, for example, by writing a letter to the person with whom we have a hostile relationship, so that we can release the anger onto paper and calm our inner-selves.

7. One should harmonize with the universe. This is only possible for people who think positively. In fact, positive thinking is at the core of the system that Almighty Allah set for us. There is also an analogy between this and the five-element theory found in Chinese medicine, which tells us that humans are part of the universe and that they are affected by it and affect it.

Actually, improving inner feelings is extremely beneficial, and the person who does so is the one who gains most out of it. Every person is a part of the universe, and everything around him interacts with him. For example, a tree once greeted the Prophet (Peace he upon him) and said, "Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah." Some pebbles also praised Allah while in the palm of the Prophet (Peace he upon him). Likewise, the Prophet (Peace he upon him) said, "There is no pilgrim who answers the call to pilgrimage (talbiyah), except that be is joined in doing so by the trees, the stones, and the earth, until the Earth is filled I with its sound from east to west." [6]

A righteous person is good company to the entire universe, thus causing it to morn with grief and tears when he dies. 'Ah ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) said,

“When a believer dies, two spots weep for him: the spot where he used to pray on earth, and the spot through which his good deeds are elevated to the heavens."

This does not happen with humans who are subject to the Wrath of Allah, the Exalted. For example, Allah mentions the exit of the people of Fir'aun (the Pharaoh), “And the heavens and the earth wept not for them.” [7]

There are several signs of interaction that took place between the universe and the Prophet (Peace he upon him), such as:

• Light was seen filling the horizon between East and West when the Prophet (Peace he upon him) was born

As if the universe knew that the divine message was going to be revealed through that infant to restore the human balance in the universe. All creatures understand the Acts of Almighty Allah, Who says about the earth. “That Day it will relate its chronicles. Because your Lord has inspired it.”[8]

• The Prophet (Peace he upon him) informed us that the Mountain of Uhud loves him

Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I went out with Prophet (Peace be upon hint) to Khaybar to serve him. On his way back, the Prophet (Peace he upon him) saw the Mountain of Uhud and said, 'This is it mountain that loves us and that we love.'" [9]

Also, when the Prophet (Peace he upon him) climbed it with Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, and ‘Uthman, the mountain reacted so strongly that it trembled, so the Prophet (Peace he upon him) said, "Remain steady, Uhud, for upon you is a prophet, a man of ultimate belief, and two martyrs."[10]

• Al -Madinah lit up when the Prophet (Peace he upon him) entered it

Al- Mad in ah was so happy to receive the Prophet (Peace he upon him) when he arrived in it that it lit up, and was so sad when he died that it darkened. Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "On the day when the Prophet (Peace he upon him) entered Al-Madinah, everything in Al-Madinah illuminated, and on the day when the Prophet (Peace he upon him) died, everything in Al-Madinah darkened, and no sooner had we buried him than we found strange feelings in our hearts."[11]

(Continued)