Fortress

The road to mardhatillah is, by default, full of trials.
It is so crucial to know this as this will shape our expectation at the beginning and throughout the journey.

If we think that this is going to be an easy journey, 
we shall meet trials and tribulations by surprise, 
and we may end up feeling tired and disappointed.

Indeed, siratul mustaqim is a road filled with tests. 
Know this, get ready, be persevere, and ask for strength and help from Allah.

When Utbah bin Rabaah was sent to Rasulullah on behalf of the Quraisy disbelievers, he read out few offers to Rasulullah.

We’ll raise our swords against you. But we don’t want to get that point, so we have another offer for you. We’ve gathered up enough wealth from all the wealthy people from Quraysh; we’ve created a fund to make you the wealthiest man in Makkah. All we need is for you to quit this foolishness. We’ll even marry you to 10 of the most beautiful women in Makkah.”

Rasulullah rejected all the offers.

Rasulullah was then approached again by the Quraisy who then suggested for faith compromise (yearly alternate between their tradition and that of Rasulullah's teaching),following which ayah in surah Al-Kafirun was revealed.

These two incidences teach me two things.

One, in consolidating Islam in one self or a society, we need to control our own personal desires or nafs.

Two, we should know what we really want thus what we can't afford to compromise.


Can you not see, Nana? The battle should start within your own self. Build your own fortress. Be strong from within.