Between the two exams
I just finished my final examinations for the obstetrics and gynaecology posting. I don’t know the results yet, I pray to Allah that I will pass. Amin.
In the clinical years, the final examination of any posting consists of two parts, the theory part (i.e. done on paper) and the oral and skills part, which consist of presenting a medical case orally and examining a patient, respectively.
I was so anxious the day before the oral/skills exam that I had difficulty sleeping. I felt so worried that I might fail the examination, after all those studying and practicing. Nauzubillah.
Suddenly a thought came to me:
“Don’t you realize that you are being assessed already?”
That thought struck me like a thunder. That’s so right! I am indeed being assessed all the time, there are two angels near me writing my every deed whether good or bad, and above all there’s The Almighy Allah Who is watching me all the time and knowing everything I do. Allah even knows everything that runs in my mind.
Here’s my point, life in this world itself is already an exam! Infact, it is a far far far bigger one. Clearly we are dealing with a serious business here; we are not here in this world for nothing. We have a role to do, as Allah’s servants, which is to obey Him. The results of this unimaginably super grand test is of the two extremes, either entering the paradise (amin..) or hellfire (nauzubillahi min zalik).
The thought sent me a sense of regret but brought me a feeling of calmness at the same time. Alhamdulillah.
Why am I feeling so worried about this upcoming simple man-made test, but forgot to worry about the test of living my life as a servant of Allah, with the result is going to be either unimaginably great rewards or extreme punishments.
The same feeling applies during prayers. If I can concentrate and feel nervous when facing my examiner for the clinical oral examination, then when I am praying to Allah, to meet and praise my Lord, I should have a great sense of fear, hope and I should be concentrating as much as I could!
Thinking like this made me realize of my blunders and forgetfulness. Indeed I am just a mere human. May Allah forgive me and make me a good servant of Him, amin. The story ends here.
I don’t know about you. I believe you’re a good muslim, who are always aware of Allah’s presence and love to do things that pleases Him, while avoiding things that He has forbidden.
I hope I am wrong here, but I have the feeling that most muslims in our community are paying a great attention to their worldly affairs, but when it comes to the matters of religion and faith, they seemed to take it lightly.
For example, some workers like to please their bosses, at the expense of abandoning or delaying their obligatory prayers. Some people get so nervous during interviews and prepared well mentally and physically, but when they are praying they dress very simply, doing it quickly with their minds thinking about something else.
There are also people who can be punctual for meetings and appointments, but strangely it is so difficult for them to be punctual for obligatory prayers. They go to work, attend meetings, conventions and seminars but they do not attend the obligatory prayers in the masjid. Some people pay taxes because they fear their government might take action againts them, but they do not pay the zakah (alms); shouldn’t they fear Allah more?
I wonder, who and which one is more important, their bosses, interviewers, government, or Allah subhanahu wata’ala, their Lord and Sustainer?
Come on, think about it. I hope you’ll get my point.