The Saabiqoon: How to Join the Elite

And you become [of] three kinds
Then the companions of the right - what are the companions of the right?
And the companions of the left - what are the companions of the left?
And the forerunners, the forerunners –
Those are the ones brought near [to Allah ]
In the Gardens of Pleasure,
A [large] company of the former peoples
And a few of the later peoples,
(Al-Waaqiah, 56:7-14)

When reading these verses, we might wonder, if Allah divides humanity into three ranks and includes many from the earlier generations to be closest to Allah, how can we ever hope to have an equal reward? Some might say we have not done a fraction of the work that the earlier generations did, that we haven’t struggled in the ways they did. Once someone asked me, “What can I do? I have been given so much comfort and good in my life, and I’m afraid I won’t have a chance to be in the group closest to Allah.”

It’s important to have this question in mind, but it should not make us lose hope in seeking the highest reward. Instead, we should use it to drive us to always excel in the deen and in building our relationship with Allah. There is no limit to how much a servant can come close to Allah, know Him, and build a relationship with Him.

The more you know Him, the more you realize your shortcomings and insignificance. The more you realize your shortcoming and insignificance, the more you know Him, especially His love, mercy, graciousness and generosity.

Here are a few things you can do to be counted, inshallah, amongst those who excel for Allah:

1. Love

Always be sure your heart has strong love for those who strive to be near Allah. Remember the blessed Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that a person will be with those who he loves even if he or she does not do the same deeds as his or her beloved. So the first and most important step is to ensure your heart is full of love for our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ the Companions, the righteous, those who strive and sacrifice for the deen, and the weak and oppressed. Through the love you have for them, God willing, you will be counted amongst them. See how simple Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) has made things for us! Allah says:

"Whoever obeys God and the Messenger will be among those He has blessed: the messengers, the truthful, the martyrs (those who bear witness to the truth), and the righteous–– what excellent companions these are! That is God’s favour. No one knows better than Him." (Al-Nisaa, 4:69-70)

So have love for the righteous and inshallah you will be with them, no doubt. That is a promise from Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). Try to stay in the hearts of those who love Allah, for their hearts are with Allah.

2. Dua

As we realize our shortcomings, who better to plead to then Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala)? We should engage in much dua (supplication), talking to Him, bearing witness to our shortcomings and His generosity, and mercy. Dua is the core of ibadah (worship). Everything we go through in life can be a means by which we come closer to Allah. So converse with Him, thank Him, and admit your weaknesses to Him. Ask Him to use you for his deen in whatever way that pleases Him. Through regular daily dua and conversation with Allah you can attain the highest status. It is all about having a relationship with Allah. People struggling for the deen or going through hardship who are insincere or do not make dua are neglecting spiritual reflection and often miss the lessons that life has to offer them, closing off an immense potential for blessings.

3. Find the path to Allah that He makes easy for you.

Strive to Him through the situation He put you in. There are countless paths to Allah, and every situation Allah puts us in is a path to Him. The Messenger pbuh said, "The one who eats and is grateful is like the one who fasts and is patient." (Tirmidhi, Darami) Subhanallah! There is so much wisdom in this. It illustrates that in every situation is a path to Allah if we respond accordingly. One path to Allah is through sabr (patience). Another is through shukr (gratefulness). One path is through giving our time for the deen, another is through giving our sweat or wealth. Some people die defending justice. Others live to defend justice. There are many paths to Allah. Make the most of every situation that Allah places you in. Other people have a path to Allah that you do not have, while you have a path to Him that they do not have. The destination, however, is the same, inshallah.

For example, you may not have the path of sabr as refugees who have lost everything. But they may not have the path of giving charity which you have. So see what blessings Allah has given you and how you can use them for the deen. As American Muslims I think we have the unique opportunity to study the deen, practice the deen, get involved in charities, speak for justice, support Islamic education, and support and engage in dawah. Perhaps your path to Allah is through giving dawah to the poor and needy. Refugees in Syria, for example, do not have the resources you as an American Muslim have. Remember to be grateful for your blessings by utilizing the blessings given to you.

4. Consistency in the Struggle

Be consistent in the obligatory actions and try your best to follow the Sunnah. This includes maintaining good character and morals with ourselves and others, seeking knowledge and using our blessings for the deen and supporting Islamic work.

Overall, keep asking, reflecting and hoping on being counted from the righteous, and inshallah, your objective will be achieved!