TODAY'S HADITH
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. And a man keeps on telling the truth until he becomes a truthful person ..."
TODAY'S REFLECTION
Someone asks how we are, and "fine" is out of our mouths before they've finished the question. We've said it with a fever. We've said it at funerals, holding the door.
Fine gets us through the day, and nobody in the queue needs more. A polite fine isn't what this hadith is about. The trouble starts when we say it to ourselves, for so long that we couldn't honestly tell anyone how we are.
Finding a truer word takes a few seconds. In lab studies, putting a word to a feeling quieted the brain's alarm system a little.
We can feel it without a scanner. A feeling with no name runs the whole afternoon, and we snap at the dishwasher and tear up at an advert with no idea why.
Once it has a name, it's something we're carrying, and we can look at it.
A truer word is usually a small one. It doesn't need to be impressive. "Scared" will do, and so will "tired of being the strong one."
Allah has heard every "fine" we've ever said, and He has known what was under each one. He still invites us to come and ask.
After the prayer, we can drop the polite version and speak plainly, in any language, in whatever words we've got.
"Ya Allah, lonely, and too proud to call anyone."
Few things feel as light as being fully known and having nothing left to explain.
Some days an honest word brings up more than a minute can hold. A friend, an imam or a counsellor is a good next call on those days.
Tomorrow someone will ask how we are, and "fine" might still come out. That's alright. We'll know what it was covering, and so will He.
FIRST RIPPLE
After Maghrib today, stay seated a moment and tell Allah how the heart really is, in one plain word or sentence.
REFLECT ON THIS
What have I been calling fine that isn't?
QUICK QUESTION
How do you like the new look?
A DU'A FOR YOU
May Allah Almighty grant Mohammed Raza complete Shiffaa, restore his health, and ease all his suffering. May Allah protect his heart, bless him with strength and recovery after his procedure, and grant him a long, healthy, peaceful life. May every pain, difficulty, and illness become a source of forgiveness and reward for him. Ameen Ya Rabbul Aalameen.