31. A LOVE STORY

One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise.

Ahh, the Beauty of God's creation is beyond description.

As I watched, I praised Allah for His beautiful work. As I sat there,

I felt Allah's presence with me.

He asked me, "Do you love me ?"

I answered, "Of course, Allah! You are my Lord and Saviour !"

Then He asked,

"If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me ?"

I was perplexed.  I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't be able to do, the things that I took for granted.

And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You."

Then Allah said, "If you were blind, would you still love my creation ?"

How could I love something without being able to see it ?

Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved Allah and His creation.

So I answered, "It's hard to think of it, but I would still love you."

The Lord Allah then asked me, "If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word ?"

How could I listen to anything being deaf ?  Then I understood. Listening to Allah's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts.  

I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still  listen to Your word."

Then Allah  asked, "If you were mute, would you still praise My Name ?"

How could I praise without a voice ?  Then it occurred to me: Allah wants us to sing from our very heart and soul. It never matters what we sound like. And praising Allah is not always with a song, but when we are persecuted, we give Allah praise with our words of thanks.

So I answered, "Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name".

And the Lord Allah asked, "Do you really love Me?"

With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly,

"Yes Lord ! I love You because You are the one and true Tuhan!"  

I thought I had answered well, but Allah asked,

"THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?"

I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect."

"THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST ? WHY ONLY IN

TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY THE EARNEST ?"

No answers. Only tears.

The Lord continued:

"Why seek Me only in times of worship ? Why ask things so selfishly ? Why ask things so unfaithfully ?"

The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.

"Why are you ashamed of Me?  Why are you not spreading the words of Allah ?  Why in times of trouble, you cry to others when I offer My shoulder to cry on ? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name ?"

I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.

"You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge.  I have spoken to you but your ears were closed.  I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all."

     "DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME?"

I could not answer. How could I ? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this ? When my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, "Please forgive me Allah. I am unworthy to be Your child".

The Lord Allah answered, "That is My Grace, My child."

I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so ?"

The Lord Allah answered,

"Because you are My creation. You are my child. I will never abandon you. When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you. When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you. When you   are down, I will encourage you.  When you fall, I  will raise you up. When

you are tired, I will carry you. I will be with you till the end of days.

Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold ?

How could I have hurt Allah as I had done ? I asked Allah,

"How much do You love me ?"

The Lord Allah stretched out His arms and embraced me tightly and said,

"Do you see the rising sun in the morning, the moon and the stars at night, the animals and the trees that give you food and shelter ?  Do you feel the cool breeze of the wind, the fresh air that that brings you life - all these are just for you my child. I love you forever."

I bowed down at the feet of Allah, my Saviour. And for the first time, I truly prayed.