Passing the examination of life
(Muhammad Arsalan Ilyas, Karachi,Pakistan)
by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel
Saheb (rahmatullah alayh)
If in any school, university, college or institute, questions of an examination
are given or there is a paper ‘leak-out’, the examination is cancelled or reset.
Allah Ta’ala has given us the final question paper consisting of three outwardly
simple questions. The preparation time has also been given - i.e. our lives. The
examiners are also known: Munkar and Nakeer[1]. The consequences too have been
spelt out. There is tremendous reward and honour in passing the examination, and
there is disgrace and punishment on failure.
Even though it would take just a few seconds to learn such simple questions and
answers, such that even 3 and 4 year olds could be taught the same, and can
memorize them, it is not as easy as it seems.
Had it been so extremely easy, many more would have led their lives in
accordance to the demands and dictates of the nafs .... because the answers are
known. However this is not the reality of our final examination.
These answers depend on one’s life and one’s preparations for it.
The 3 questions to be asked, as we know, are :
Who is your Rabb[2] ?
What is your Deen[3] ?
Who is this man ? (i.e. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam)
If we say that Allah Ta’ala is our Rabb (Sustainer), we have to recognize Him as
our Creator; as the One who has blessed us with all our spiritual, physical and
material gifts. We have to recognize Him through His signs and we have to submit
to and obey Him in this worldly life. This recognition is what will bring
Ibaadah (worship) into practice.
The second question can only be answered if a person has lived a life of
Submission to Allah Ta’ala by following the Shariah which He revealed to His
Messenger (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).
The third question can only be answered if a person has followed the way of life
of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam). It won’t be possible for the
person who lived the lifestyle of the enemies of Islam to answer this question
easily.
Although we claim that we have Imaan and love for Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (Sallallaahu
‘alayhi wasallam), our actions contradict our claim. We assert and affirm that
the true religion is Islam but we do not practise on its beautiful teachings.
…Why?
A person may bribe, lie and cheat just to pass an examination of this world but
there is no possibility for the same in the Qabr. To fly through the examination
of the Qabr, we need to develop our Imaan in Allah Ta’ala, adorn our hearts with
His Love and Ma’rifat (Recognition) and grace our lives with a practical
expression of Islam by following the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi
wasallam).
There is no other way to pass this most crucial examination of life. And we
should always keep in mind that there is no re-testing and no re-marking. A
person either passes or he fails.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us the understanding of the greatness of this test, and
the effort to work in the direction of preparation for the questioning of the
grave, that we may pass without any difficulty and with distinction.
[1] Munkar and Nakeer : Two angels who question a person in his grave, shortly
after death.
[2] Rabb : Sustainer, Nourisher
[3] Deen : Religion