AhlulBayt News Agency

source : hattiesburg
Friday

24 December 2010

8:30:00 PM
218359

What Happened to Honor?

What happened to the "Honour your father and your mother [which includes grandfather and grandmother]: that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God giveth you?"

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Recently, I was at the grocery store, and I saw two young people mock their grandfather behind his back. These young people were old enough to know better, and it took everything within me to not say something to them.

With their lack of respect, they forgot that he was the one who drove them to the store anyway. What happened to the "Honour your father and your mother [which includes grandfather and grandmother]: that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God giveth you?"

This made me reflect how there is so much disrespect in society to the point that one might think that rudeness is becoming the norm. From politicians to young people, to co-workers, and the list could go on and on.

Why do we think that we have the "right" to trample over someone else? What happened to the "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you?"

Some people feel they are unlucky because life is not going their way. But are they doing the things that would bring them success? They want and want without giving something in return. They are not unlucky, they just might be unfaithful. Life is no spectator sport. We have to get involved and do our part - strive to be righteous.

Some people say that they pray, but God is not answering their prayers. Maybe God's answer to you is "No." Sometimes we pray and ask God to help us while all along we are committing sin.

We tell "little white lies," yet we still expect God's blessings. Well, a lie is a lie, and God doesn't care what color the lie is. He tells us not to lie. If we want to go to Heaven, we have to strive hard to get there.

We should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for. Some of us ask for a lot of money, but have we developed a plan to manage that money? It's like winning the lottery and going bankrupt because of reckless spending. We work hard in our careers, in school, in sports; so why can't we work hard for God?

Recently, I read a footnote in the Holy Quran, which I would like to share with you: "A mere wish for moral and spiritual good is not enough. It must be backed up by hard endeavor and supported by a lively faith. On those conditions, the wishes are accepted by God."

We cling to this life so heavily and forget that this is only temporary. We act as if we are going to live here forever. We forget that we will be called to account for our actions. In the religion of Islam, there is a tradition, which states: Three things will follow you to your grave: your family, your wealth and your deeds. Two things will leave - your family (your spouse may re-marry) and your wealth (which your family may spend as they choose). Only one thing will stay there with you - your deeds.

Don't let this world fool you. It will fade and only our deeds will last. To the young people who mocked their grandfather behind his back, God says in the Holy Quran (Chapter 17, Verses 23-24): "Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, that you be kind to parents whether one or both of them attain old age in your life.

"Say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: 'My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.'

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