Ok, I cried. The last time I cried at a Raya commercial (or any other commercial) is the 2006 Petronas ad by Yasmin Ahmad.
So many trivial things we question Him. Lack of this or too much of that. When some people in this world lack basic human rights or even basic necessities. Yet, even though they don't have the best of everything, they make the best out of everything. And find peace in relationship with God, and solace in companionship.
We may think that because we have wealth and health that we are better than them or better off without them. Life in this world is a test. Blessings we are bestowed with is a test. Hardship we have to endure is a test.
One day, while the Prophet was with his Companions who gathered around him, he prayed,
"O God, grant me life as a poor man, cause me to die as a poor man and resurrect me in the company of the poor." (Tarmizi)Even the Prophet Muhammad himself prayed to God to die in poverty, and He was always keen to help the poor by giving them what he had, and when he could not find anything, he would ask his companions to help, and not to leave a poor man without help.
It should not be perceived that by the Prophet's giving and encouraging his companions to give would mean that he would accept that the poor may continue to ask for help for the rest of their lives. On the contrary he was keen on teaching the poor the importance of working to fulfill one's own needs. He wanted them to avoid the disgrace of asking and begging and enjoy the sweetness of giving.
In the end, our ibadah, our iman, our sincerity and our deeds to the community is the yardstick that matters to Him and nothing else.
Reference:
1. Link
2. Aisyah Ummul Mukminin: Keanggunan Sejati by Sulaiman An-Nadawi (gift from Cik Su)
