FOREWORD TO FIRE IN THE BELLY
Two
of the most potent and yet neglected spiritual exercises given to man are
Forgiveness and Contentment. All and sundry acknowledge the pertinence of these
spiritual virtues but not many practitioners of the Islamic faith exercise the discipline
to make forgiveness and contentment important regular features of their daily
lives.
The
Holy Scriptures is replete with men and women who dedicate themselves to these
rites and consequently overcome impossible obstacles and won great victories for
themselves, their families, their nations and their God. Our Prophet Mohammed (peace
be upon him) and the other early Prophets did not move a step without forgiveness
and contentment.
Unfortunately,
today, few Muslims seem to understand the relevance of perusal contentment and
forgiveness to the practical teachings of the Islamic faith.
It
is in this light that this Script is such a pleasure to commend. It comes to
grips with real work of forgiveness and contentment not in vague theoretical
concepts, but in clear guidelines for personal initiative. The treatment is
simple, straight to the point, yet thorough and insightful.
Giving
authenticity to the script, while enhancing its down-to-earth appeal, (Rubaba)
the writer uses effectively the scriptures of the Holy Qur’an to argue out some
basic spiritual and emotional principles of the word of Allah, which in the end
unties the loose ends of unbelief and misinterpretation of the teachings of the
Qur’an and consequently the Islamic faith. What makes this piece revealing is
her ability to passionately and decisively combine both spiritual elements to
bring to our notice the need to embrace these virtues.
Rubaba
teaches that forgiveness is from the mercy of Allah and it starts from the
forgiveness of our sins by our fellow men here on earth.
It
is only when we exercise such virtue that true forgiveness is extended to us
from the Heavens above. This kind of forgiveness by Allah swt is clearly spelt
out in Surah Al-Imran, the family of Imran, chapter 3 verses 135-136.
She
also exposes the basic truth and the final reward as a result of sincere
forgiveness. It is only in forgiveness and in reconciliation that Allah
rewards. And it’s a proven fact that forgiveness relieves the forgiver of a
huge burden of forgiveness from Allah swt. Here the writer admonishes all and
sundry to learn to forgive without holding back.
Touching
on her second virtue, she shares her thoughts on riches and precisely puts her
words in the mouth of Maame Sakina who says “ Riches does not lie in having
many belongings but rather riches lies in having a contented heart and soul”.
The heart and soul of man are what tell the quality of life of an individual.
The good connection of the heart and soul is the exact channel through which
riches are effectively measured. A good heart and a happy soul inspire great
riches. It is also important to note that the source of every rich personality
is best valued and measured on the free gift of Allah.
Rubaba
expresses her thoughts once again that those who unjustly eat up the properties
of orphans, eat up only fire into their bellies and they will be burnt with
blazing fire.
Indeed
such an attitude the writer clearly depicts, send fire in the belly; which
gives an often understanding to the fact that with every penny spent out of the
account of an innocent person especially an orphan, one take nothing but fire
into your belly.
If
you find yourself in the category of Mallam Ibrahim and Ustaz Hussein, then
Rubaba is urgently pressing on you who have believed to repent unto your Lord,
a good repentance.
In
conclusion, this script comes as a lesson to those who read! For those who
understand! For those who reflect! A sign for those who believe! But! But! But!
There is always a but……..
HAJIA SADIA AKOSUA
ABDALLAH
NATIONAL THEATRE OF
GHANA
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