In my younger days, it was more about proper recitation of the Quran. Eventually I grew bored because it was like watching a movie in a different language so I eventually and by the grace of Allah, decided to flip through the pages of the English translation of the Quran. This again was a bit confusing as one is generally trained to approach it as how an academic book is structured but that was not how Allah meant it to be. Still, the more I delve and deeper into Islam, things became more interesting and clear. Here, I must thank the existance of the internet which is literally a data overload IF one takes the effort to search for knowledge. I began to understand more about myself and the why the Quran recommends this and that. And using Islam as a base, fundamentally I see the secret of life are three:
- Patience
- Pray
- Doa (Supplicate)
Patience but why?
The story of how Prophet Adam "tried to run before he could learn how to walk" when he was just created is very amusing to say the least but it clarifies Man is fundamentally rash. Thus, the best strategy to overcome this inherent emotion is "patience". One must keep cool and here, things can take a long time to resolve because one is constantly being tested on this matter. The question of patience is also relative to an individual but the more test of patience, the more Allah loves us.
Pray but why?
In making decisions between "right" and "wrong", the privilege given to Man, if Man is left unguided, there has a strong inherent tendency of the nafs or ego to sway to on the wild side of life. That is why Man needs guidance but because no one can read hearts, what better and wise way to seek guidance and protection from one's maker. The bright lights of life may divert one's attention because in Islam, life is a place for amusement and diversion. Thus, there is a need to constantly remind Man to take the straight path hence Islam makes it compulsory to pray 5 times/day. Experience shows this is true especially when one finds many forms of distractions that may divert his attention consciously or unconsciously to go off the track.
Doa but why?
Yes, Allah acknowledges patience and prayer fundamentally are difficult to practise (but not for those humble to Him). So to offset that, Allah gave to us, the most powerful thing in the world, powerful enough even to change the course of destiny if Allah wills it to be. That is a fantastic and tremendous thing because it can amend that which was already written in Loh Mahfuz from time immemorial. So in Islam, what is fated is not necessarily cast in stone though it obviously would require a sincere heart to fully submit to Allah.
CONLCUSION:
If one has an extremely strong faith in Allah, the above three are easy as tiddlywinks.
