THEIR LIGHT RUNS FORWARD BEFORE THEM

Ramadaan is rushing to a close. Itikaaf has arrived and Muslims' hearts are awaiting Lailatul-Qadr. It is easy to be introspective and soul-searching at this time. Last night I attended taraweeh at the Masjid up the road from me. What a blessed time! How touched I was by the presence of Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala, for the earth and all the heavens are His alone, and He is also alive in the hearts and minds of those who worship Him. Naturally, I wondered whether my faith, as Muslim, made any difference to my own life, and to the lives of those around me. Does it matter that I am a Muslim? Does it matter to others that I am a Muslim? Here is a most beautiful passage from the Holy Qur'an that answered my questions:

One day shall you see the believing men and the believing women - how their Light runs forward before them and by their right hands: (their greeting will be): "Good News for you this Day! Gardens beneath which flow rivers! To dwell therein for ever! This is indeed the highest achievement!" One day will the hypocrites - men and women - say to the believers: "Wait for us! Let us borrow (a light) from your light!! It will be said: "Turn your back to your rear! Then seek a light (where you can)!" So a wall will be put up between them, with a gate therein. Within it will be Mercy throughout, and without it, all alongside, will be (wrath and) punishment!...Has not the time arrived for the believers that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance of Allah and of the truth which has been revealed (to them), and that they should not become like those to whom was given revelation aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard. For many among them are rebellious transgressors. Know you (all) that Allah gives life to the earth after its death! Already have We shown the signs plainly to you, that you may learn wisdom. For those who give in charity, men and women, and loan to Allah a Beautiful Loan, it shall be increased manifold (to their credit), and they shall have (besides) a liberal reward. And those who believe in Allah and His Messengers - they are the sincere (lovers of truth), and they are witnesses (who testify), in the eyes of the Lord: They shall have their reward and their Light. But those who reject Allah and deny Our signs - they are the companions of hell-fire. [Al-Hadid - 57:12-19]