Are We in the position to make any?

A woman called out in the masjid to some women to complete the rows and straighten the lines as is the Sunnah of the Prophet. One woman replied, “I don’t feel comfortable there,” another said “It’s too hot there!”

These are the kind of excuses we hear almost every day from every other muslim. Even you and I make excuses when something isn’t in our favour or something we find strenuous to do.

Why do we make excuses? Do we ever think of what Allah has said about not following the Quran and Sunnah?

First of all, let us understand what Ibadah is. Ibadah isn’t just praying 5 times a day or reading Quran , the definition of Ibadah is ‘the comprehensive term , for all  of what Allah loves and is pleased with, of statements and actions , whether they are apparent or hidden.’  So when we testify the Shahadah we become a slave of Allah and we affirm that we will accept all the commands of our Deen so that Allah is pleased with us. So taking this definition into consideration, what we are really doing by making excuses; is only earning Allah’s wrath.

Then again there are people who say “it’s only a Sunnah! It’s not wajib or fard,” especially with issues such as keeping the beard. Dear brothers and sisters let us not forget that following the Prophet is one of the conditions of Iman, it is to believe in the Prophet and follow his Sunnah.

Allah says: “He who obeys the Messenger has indeed obeyed Allah . . .” [al-Nisaa’ 4:80].  Allah described obedience to the Prophet (peace be upon him) as being a part of obedience to Him. Then He made a connection between obedience to Him and obedience to the Prophet (peace be upon him): “O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger . . .” [al-Nisaa’ 4:59]

Some of our brothers and sisters say Islam has given us an easy way, so we will take the shortcut, the easy way out. For example many think they can just pray Qaza (Qadha) Salah. However, Qaza is said to be prayed only under certain circumstances and not because you were partying with your friends. Allah says, “verily the prayer is enjoined on the believers at fixed times.” (An-Nisaa 04:103) Delaying the prayer for no valid excuse is a great sin.
Many people do not take the matters of their religion seriously, and they offer feeble excuses. This is one of the signs of the Munaafiqoon (hypocrites), who take their religion for mockery and fun [cf. Al-Maa’idah 5:57], and when they are rebuked or advice is offered to them, they come up with excuses which in fact are worse than the sin for which they are offering these excuses.

Let us not make excuses anymore and try to act upon the knowledge we gain right away!

“It is not fit for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His  Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and Messenger has indeed strayed in a plain manner.” (33:36)

Fatima Damad,