Approvals from God

    Strange, isn't it-- how we struggle to seek validation from other human beings? Especially when Allah Al-Khaaliq has already promised our species: if we strive for piety, we are the best of His creation, even better then the angels who are ever-obedient and made of pure light!

    That connotation had only struck me just now. The fact that God Almighty Himself has bestowed our species the highest level any other creation would be jealous of (if they were even given the capacity to feel jealousy!) is undeniably the greatest form of honour you can ask for. Knowing that should easily boost one's confidence and esteem. For me, weirdly, I am imagining myself sitting on an abstract pedestal, beaming in front of all other creatures in Al-Malik's kingdom. Almost like how baby Simba is when Rafiki lifts him up into the air.

    And so we ask ourselves, why do we long for this superficial validation from those who cannot even guarantee you a spot on that pedestal? Why do we try so hard to be likeable to people who might not even be liked by Allah? From a third-person point of view, they would just look desperate, pathetic, even foolish, like a beggar asking another for some change, when near him is an extremely wealthy person willing to give way more than what he asks for.

    Of course, everything comes with a price, and the ticket to accessing that reserved pedestal is not cheap. Even before our conception, we were informed that the life on this dunya is full of trials, tribulations and temptations. We were warned, we knew of the consequences, and yet we agreed to seal the deal anyway, whether we remember it or not. And so it would be our own fault if we lost to the challenge. It's not like we weren't given a handbook for how to win the game, right? And apart from a clear manual, He even provides us with infinite chances to restart in case we mess up (repentance).

    O Allah, I ask that You exclude us from those who claimed that there was no guidance sent down to us. You are already generous enough to provide us with the necessary tools, O Allah, and now it's our choice: to win the Seat through Your Mercy, or waste the opportunity and be sent to the depths of eternal misery. Help us, O Allah, to become among those who You are pleased with!

...

We have certainly created man in the best of stature;

Then We return him to the lowest of the low,

Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds, for they will have a reward uninterrupted.

[Surah 95, verse 4-6]