A Dream That Changed My Perspective
When I was 17, I experienced a vivid dream. In it, I found myself inside a mosque when a young girl approached me with a simple yet profound question: “Why do people have to leave one another?” Her inquiry captured the essence of our ephemeral world—a realm filled with transient moments and temporary bonds, where those we cherish may vanish or perish tomorrow. Such impermanence cuts to the core of our being because it contradicts our very nature.
The Human Longing for Permanence
We are inherently designed to seek love and strive toward what is flawless and enduring. Deep within us lies an instinct for the eternal because our true origin is not found in this fleeting life. Our primordial home is Paradise—a realm of perfection and permanence. It is only natural that we feel a deep yearning for such an existence.
This is why the act of parting is so painful. It runs counter to the innate desire placed in us by Allah—a longing that can only be satisfied by what is everlasting and perfect. Yet, in this life, we are given mere glimpses of that eternal splendor: fleeting encounters with both bliss and torment. We have felt the sting of burning and the searing heat of boiling water, and we have also experienced tiny tastes of Paradise on earth, such as during our visits to Mecca and Medina.
The World as a Series of Moments
Few places on earth reflect the beauty of Paradise more closely than Mecca, standing beneath the celestial locale of al bayt al ma’moor. And yet, even these sacred sites are only temporary samples of the eternal. Just as Adam and his descendants were compelled to depart from Paradise, we too must eventually leave behind the earthly reflections of heaven that we hold so dear.
This transient nature of life means that although we experience moments of peace alongside times of sorrow, all experiences are fleeting. Our separation from the sacred presence felt at the Ka’bah is symbolic of a deeper disconnection from true Paradise.
Leaving Mecca, for me, mirrors the broader pattern of our lives—a journey that entails eventually parting from all that we love most. Yet amid all these departures, one constant remains: Allah. His presence endures forever, a reality affirmed by His words:
“Everyone upon the earth will perish, And there will remain the Face of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honor.”
“And do not invoke with Allah another deity. There is no deity except Him. Everything will be destroyed except His Face. His is the judgment, and to Him you will be returned.”
“It was We Who created man, and We know what dark suggestions his soul makes to him: for We are nearer to him than (his) jugular vein.”
Finding Allah Within
Often, we search outward for Allah’s presence and feel a profound loss when we must leave a place like Mecca. Yet, our connection to Him is not tied to any location—it resides within our hearts. Although Adam (AS) was forced to part from Paradise for a time, Allah comforted him with the promise that divine guidance would always be available to those who embrace it:
“We said: ‘Get ye down all from here; and if, as is sure, there comes to you Guidance from Me, whosoever follows My guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.’”
The pain of leaving the Ka’bah is undeniable, but Allah’s presence is an ever-present refuge that we need never abandon—unless we consciously decide to turn our back on Him. And when we do stray, His words remind us of the consequences:
“But whosoever turns away from My Message, verily for him is a life narrowed down, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment.”
“He will say, ‘My Lord, why have you raised me blind while I was once seeing?’”
“Thus did Our signs come to you, and you forgot them; and thus will you this Day be forgotten.”
The Enduring Power of Remembrance
Friends, there is a sure way to maintain that closeness, awe, and inner peace we once felt—a means to shield ourselves from the sorrow of separation. That method is dhikr, the remembrance of Allah. The Qur’an reassures believers:
“Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah. For without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.”
While we eagerly anticipate Paradise in the hereafter and may even experience brief glimpses of its beauty here on earth, such as near the Ka’bah, our temporary physical encounters are simply part of life. Just as Adam had to leave his earthly Paradise, we too must move on from our most cherished physical spaces. However, Allah assures us that the eternal Paradise has already been granted to those who follow His guidance:
“We said, ‘Go down from it, all of you. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance – on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.’”
The true Paradise in this world lies in our remembrance of Allah and our adherence to His guidance. Those who hold fast to this promise find themselves living in a state of divine bliss—a glimpse of Paradise realized here and now.
As Ibn ul Qayyim wisely observed, “He who does not enter the jannah of this life, does not enter the jannah of the next.”
Embracing Faith, One Insight at a Time!
The teachings of the Quran have always guided my path. With a deep passion for Islamic knowledge, I strive to blend the wisdom of tradition with the relevance of today, making the timeless messages of Islam accessible and meaningful for everyone.
Muslim Culture Hub is my platform to share historical insights and thought-provoking articles, exploring both well-known and lesser-discussed aspects of Islamic culture and beliefs. My mission is to create an inclusive online space where everyone can learn, strengthen their faith, and connect with the profound message of Islam.
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May peace be upon you.
