The world lives with the concept that the Journey of life is about self discovery, of who we are and what our potential is.
But how can we begin this journey of self-discovery? Where do we start it? What will we achieve?
Allah gives us a different perspective to look into this matter.
Allah tells us in the Qur'an that in order to understand who you are and who you should be, you need to acquaint who your Creator is.
Then, You become a manifestation of the things that you ask Allah for, a manifestation of the things that you obey Allah with, a manifestation of those things that you plea Allah for. Because if your Creator is filled with generosity, He will create generosity in you. If your Creator is loving, He will create love in you. If your Creator is Merciful, He will create mercy in you. If your Creator is forgiving, He will create forgiveness in you.
With each new day comes new strength and another chance to see things in a new light to recognize who our creator is. Even if we are not looking at things the wrong way, simply looking at things a different way can bring new possibilities to our attention.
And there are things that are known to us and there are things that are unknown to us, and in between are the doors of perception. And shifting perception is an art that enhances the skill of Spirituality. If we want to get far in life, we must believe that there is every possibility that we can succeed.
And remember if we need access to the attributes of Ar-Rahmaan, as the All merciful, Then we must first fulfill our attribute as a submissive servant.
Like Malik bin Dinar (R) said, "The people of the world depart from the world without them having tasted the most beautiful thing from it.”
He was asked, “And what is it?”
He replied, “The Ma’rifah of Allaah"
[The knowledge of His names, attributes, actions and their interplay and connection to the creation].” [Al-Siyar of al-Dhahabi (5/363)]
So the first duty upon a person is to know Allah, His Oneness and Divinity.
As Allah Says in the Qur’an, “Allah is the One Who created seven heavens in layers, and likewise for the earth. The divine command descends between them so you may know that Allah is Most Capable of everything and that Allah certainly encompasses all things in His knowledge.”
[Surah Talaq 65:12]
Only when we recognise Him through His Beautiful Names and His Attributes, then will we adore and worship Him and fulfill His rights, and in return we will find ourself, our true identity, our true qualities, and our true being.
When we unearth ourselves, our weaknesses, and our shortcomings through recognising Allah, then Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, in His overwhelming grace and mercy will raise us in ranks, He subhanahu wa ta'ala will open our hearts to His light through which we can seek to know and draw closer to Him.
Let's desire we attain this acquaintance of our Creator in this life, let's desire we attain the sweetness of this life through recognising Him, let's desire to attain the His love through His recognition.
