At our pinnacle of fikr, we will also achieve the highest level of zikr. At this peak, our zikr will correspond with the value of our fikr.
Thinking motivates action. A normal human being would always aspire for greater things and pursue things close to his heart. He would disengage his mind from things he is not interested in, but if something captures his attention, that is all he will be able to think about.
For example, a new smartphone is launched. It catches our eye, and so we do some online research. We find that it is beyond our budget. Yet, the mental image of the phone still plays on our minds. This motivates us to test the display unit. Now we are filled with a longing to own the phone. So we work extra hours or even take a loan to pay for it. Every time we run low on energy, we remind ourselves of what we are saving up for, and will redouble our efforts. This process may take weeks or months, but we will persist.
Why the ruthless determination? It is because we believe in the value of the phone, and we believe the phone will make us happy. The phone has not changed, but internally, its value to us has surged because our minds have magnified its worth and importance to us. We believe enough in the phone and are willing to sacrifice for it.
The challenge is to have the same amount of enthusiasm and motivation for Allah. To do that, we will have to understand the magnificent attributes of Allah, and the promises of His bounty, mercy and reward, in this life and the next. When the thinking of Allah elevates us to a high level of desire for His pleasure, protection and rewards, our zikr will be more meaningful. At the apex of our zikr, our thinking will also intensify. At this stage, both fikr and zikr will be equally powerful.
Contemplation of Allah is the greatest possible aspiration. Our corresponding ambition would be heightened to a desire to serve and achieve greatness in the kingdom of Allah. Our values and motivations will be aligned to the Creator of the universe. If we can pursue a phone with such single minded purpose, what about the pursuit of being famous in the Kingdom of Allah?
At this level of commitment and devotion, Allah will increase your knowledge and comprehension:
“And Allah has revealed to you the Book and wisdom and has taught you that which you did not know. And ever has the favour of Allah upon you been great.” (An Nisa, verse 113)
For dunia affairs whether it’s a piece of cake or a vacation that you are striving for, the attainment of that goal ends when you meet the objective. If your thought is for Allah, that is just the beginning of an infinite journey. You can transcend level after level, each level rendering an increasing amount of sweetness of iman previously unknown to you, and each journey taking you to dazzling heights.
The ultimate goal is to be admitted into jannah, after which:
“Their call therein will be, “Exalted are You, O Allah,” and their greeting therein will be, “Peace.” And the last of their call will be, “Praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds!”” (Yunus, verse 10).
And that is the end of our struggle, and the beginning of a eternal journey of pleasure. If we arrive at this point, the whole context of “Alhamdulillah” will be taken to an entirely different context, because the toils of dunia can be put to rest, and what is left to look forward to is the eternal place in Paradise, where one cannot help but praise Allah for all infinity.
When you think of the ones around you and why – was it because of a joke, a kind deed or the support they gave you? Who you remember the most would be the one who benefited you the most. You think of something that can lead you to what you want, what you want to achieve and what will benefit you. Who deserves to be remembered, talked about and thought about? You only have Allah who can render you ultimate support for all infinity.
