We cannot perfect our bodies or spirits just by eating pure and clean food, even for a lifetime. In the same way despite all our sacrifices and hard work we cannot perfect the earth just by our efforts. We should work hard and live, eat, rest and play sensibly, but without the way of life rooted in submission to the God of creation, the God of revelation, we miss living for the reason why we exist. It is Allah alone who guides and completes both the destiny of creation and its sustenance. He will one day fully restore it. So let us not allow our dedication to hard work and cleaner, better and healthier lifestyles divert us away from our real need: the need to have hearts that are transformed for God.

One day 'Amr went to the mosque and found Mu'adh ibn Jabal weeping near the grave of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam). This great companion's heart moved his eyes to shed tears. "What makes you cry?" 'Amr asked. Mu'adh replied, "A hadith I heard from the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) makes me cry." He wept in memory of the blessed Messenger of Allah but more precisely something specific that he had heard from the Messenger of Allah.

Mu'adh reported that he had heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) say, "Even the casual showing off is associating partners with Allah. And whoever shows enmity towards the friends of Allah then Allah is in open warfare against him. Allah loves the righteous slaves who are pious and fearful, those who if they are absent they are not missed, and if they are present they are not known; THEIR HEARTS ARE THE LAMPS OF GUIDANCE; they come out of every oppressive contexts."

Mu'adh was questioning his own sincerity and he was afraid. Perhaps he had thought he had done something for God but in the process sought some attention of people at the same time, or maybe he had opposed a friend of God in the process? Had he been truly pious? Had he been truly modest? Had he always possessed proper humility? Had he failed to be just at any time and helped injustice? Had he been careful, insightful and understood how he fitted into those around him?

Mu'adh ibn Jabal himself reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "There is not a single person on earth who dies, who does not associate anything with Allah and testifies that I am Messenger of Allah, being certain of that in the heart, except that Allah forgives him."

How can he be sure that he had been blessed with a heart that shone like a lamp in darkness and lighted up the path to success? There is the darkness of ignorance, falsehood, injustice, and people's deceit out of greed and desire for this world. How can we be beacons of light in such darkness and refuse to become unwitting supporters of any events or projects that harm da'wah, the pure invitation to God in the purest way? We need to have hearts transformed for God so that they are lamps of guidance.

The answer lies in seeking to deepen and perfect Tawhid in our lives. It is this sublime faith in God and the honest efforts to become enlightened, lamps of guidance, that makes us to question ourselves in the way Mu'adh had done. This draws us ever closer to God's infinite mercy. The result of such patience and endurance is eternity in bliss. The beauty of the Hereafter consumes everything we grasp with our mortal eyes and bedazzles our earthly sight.

The best way is always simple, unpretentious and natural to our being.

Abu Umamah al-Bahali reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said on the day of Hajj al-Wida', "Worship your Lord, pray your five prayers, fast your month, pay zakah on your property, and OBEY THOSE PLACED IN AUTHORITY OVER YOU, you will enter the garden of your Lord."

Sometimes all we need is contentment. Contentment with the steady but sure attention we pay to our duties as worshippers of God, and one more thing. Accept the hierarchy and ranks that Allah decrees: parents, teachers, bosses, rulers, spiritual masters, and elders. Allah has placed authority in them by virtue of who they are in your and my lives - we can choose to accept that authority, listen to heartfelt advices or walk away, saying that we did not elect such people to be so in our lives!

'Abdullah ibn 'Amr reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) was asked, "O Messenger of Allah! Which hijrah is best?" He said, "That you emigrate from that which your Lord dislikes.There are two emigrations, one that is always present and one that is launched. As for the one that is initiated then it is compulsory when called and to obey when ordered. But the HIJRAH THAT IS ALWAYS PRESENT IS SUPERIOR OF THE TWO; BEING OF THE HEART; AND GREATER OF THE TWO IN MERIT."

Know and understand that the world around us is striking in its balance and simplicity. Yet it is utterly unfathomable due to faithlessness in God and the terrifying webs we weave. The reality is that life is a life of deception unless we possess the inner light of faith. Feed that faith, take advice, and have courage to flee from everything that slowly corrodes the path of ascent. These are gifts of Allah which we would do well to thankfully accept. It is the Hijrah we must always perform every moment of our forlorn beating hearts.

When Mu'adh paused for a moment's reflection about all this sitting by the grave of the friend of God - he wept.

All the hadiths I have quoted here I have taken and translated from the original Arabic from "Al-Mustadrak" of Al-Hakim Al-Nisaburi from the section 'Kitab-ul-Iman'.