Surah Ali Imran Ayah 11
What connects deeply with me in this ayah is this reality: although we may not consider ourselves kafir or absolute deniers, we often find subtle ways to avoid fully submitting to certain verses or commands of Allah. We say we agree, we accept, we try! But when it comes to actual implementation, we see blocks!
Sometimes we justify ourselves with circumstances. Sometimes we delay action, waiting for “more clarity” or “more ‘ilm.” Sometimes we subconsciously hope Allah will miraculously change our situation without us changing ourselves. And at times, may Allah protect us, we even rely on His mercy while neglecting obedience, assuming we’ll be saved despite leaving certain commands untouched.
The more we do this, the more distant we grow from those verses. Slowly, those verses stop impacting us. Their meanings no longer penetrate our hearts, and their guidance no longer moves us toward change. Gradually, our spiritual senses begin to seal, Iman weakens, and hidayah could be taken away - without us even realizing it.
On a lighter note, yet a very serious one, this is how we begin to resemble earlier nations, despite thinking deep inside that we are strong believers. These verses are not just historical accounts; they are repeated warnings about the consequences of denying Allah’s words even in subtle, partial, or practical ways. A strong wake-up call.
The message is clear: reset. Start from the beginning! Believe, accept, submit, and change, just as the first generation did. Otherwise, it is not difficult for Allah to seize us even in this world and transfer this supreme blessing of hidayah to another set of people right before our eyes.
And this is not just theory, I believe! It is happening around us today. On individual levels, within families, communities, and even entire nations. Sometimes subtly, sometimes dramatically. Subhan Allah, how little we notice.
The earlier we realize, the better, because Allah is Shadid ul-‘Iqab. When He decides to punish, it is severe.
Before looking down on others or labelling individuals or groups or nations as misguided, we must ask ourselves honestly: Am I committing the same mistake - even at a minute- level? Only then do we realize that while we think of ourselves as advanced or enlightened, we may actually be repeating the mindset of Fir‘awn’s people.
And the most frightening part? Allah may be exposing this reality to us, while we think the ayah is talking about others. We may already be among those being addressed.
Subhan Allah!
