Day 22
Delayed Gratification
TL;DR:
Day 22 of Be Quranic delves into the fifth ayah of Surat Al-Baqarah, highlighting the traits of the people of Taqwa: belief in the unseen, prayer, charity, belief in the Quran and previous scriptures, and certainty in the Akhirah.
This ayah teaches that true success is defined by spiritual guidance and adherence to these traits, not material wealth.
It emphasises the concept of delayed gratification, akin to a farmer's patient toil for future harvest.
This principle, integral to Islamic teachings, prepares us for success both in this world and the hereafter, encouraging discipline and long-term vision in our daily lives.
This is an AI generated transcript. You can watch the video on Instagram or Tiktok, or listen to it on Spotify.
Welcome to Day 22 of Be Quranic, where we explore short passages from the Quran daily, extracting practical lessons to apply in our lives, becoming more Quranic.
InshaAllah, today we continue our study of the longest Surah in the Quran, Surat Al-Baqarah, delving into its fifth ayah. The ayah declares that those possessing certain traits are on the guidance of their Master and are thus successful.
Allah defines being guided as having six traits: Iman in the unseen, established prayer, giving charity, belief in the Quran, Iman in previous scriptures, and certainty about the Akhirah. These traits define the people of Taqwa, who are deemed successful by God. Success, in this context, isn't about wealth or fame, but about adhering to Quranic guidance.
Interestingly, Allah uses the word 'Muflih', related to 'Falaah', which refers to a farmer, symbolising success. This metaphor of a farmer signifies the concept of delayed gratification - the patience to work hard now and reap the rewards later, much like a farmer who tends to their crops without immediate gain.
This concept relates to the actions discussed in the initial ayat of Surat Al-Baqarah. Actions like having Iman in the unseen or giving to charity might not yield immediate results, but they are investments for future rewards.
The idea of delayed gratification is crucial for success, both in this world and the hereafter. It's about having the discipline to prioritise long-term gains over immediate pleasures. This principle is highlighted in the famous Stanford marshmallow experiment, which found a correlation between the ability to delay gratification and later success in life.
As Muslims, we are trained from an early age in delayed gratification through our Ibadah. Every act of worship embodies this principle, instilling the mindset of working hard now to enjoy the rewards later. This discipline ensures success in both the Akhirah and this world.
All commands from Allah, from Salah to Zakat to belief in the hereafter, are forms of training in delayed gratification. They promise great rewards in the Akhirah and also contribute to a fulfilling life in this world.
Obedience to our Creator leads to happiness in both realms. The Prophet's favourite dua encapsulates this balance: seeking good in this world and the hereafter while being protected from the fire.
Our quest today is to practice delayed gratification in our lives, reminding ourselves that the efforts we make now will bring rewards in the future.
MashaAllah