11. Harkat mein Barkat — Blessing in Movement and Action

حرکت میں برکت

Dear friends! Islam is a foundational principle — and that principle is: there is blessing in movement and action.

وَأَن لَّيْسَ لِلْإِنسَانِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَىٰ ۝ وَأَنَّ سَعْيَهُ سَوْفَ يُرَىٰ

"And that there is not for man except that for which he strives. And that his effort is going to be seen." (An-Najm, 53:39-40) — Man gets only what he strives for. His effort will be visible. If a person does good work, it will be for his own benefit:

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلِنَفْسِهِ وَمَنْ أَسَاءَ فَعَلَيْهَا

"Whoever does righteousness — it is for his own soul; and whoever does evil — it is against it." (Fussilat, 41:46) — Whoever does good, it is for his own benefit. Whoever does evil, it is to his own detriment.

Dear friends! Consider: what is the difference between the living and the dead? The living person strives and the dead person does not. Look — there is blessing in movement: the Qur'an says 'Al-Barakah fi al-Harakat' (Blessing is in movement). In movement there is dignity and honor. From it one understands:

"Come slowly, go slowly — the goal is reached slowly. When running too fast, one slips on the stones; when going slowly, one finds the path." (A couplet rendered in Urdu)

Dear friends! Consider the difference between the living and the dead. The living person moves — the dead person does not move. Look for yourself — in movement there is blessing. The mountains respect those who climb them steadily. The sea respects those who dive into it to seek pearls.

وَمَن طَلَبَ الْعُلَى سَهِرَ اللَّيَالِي ۝ يَغُوصُ الْبَحْرِ مَن طَلَبَ اللَّآلِي ۝ وَمَن طَلَبَ الْعُلَى مِنْ غَيْرِ كَدٍّ ۝ أَضَاعَ الْعُمْرَ فِي طَلَبِ الْمُحَالِ

"He who seeks greatness stays awake through the nights. He who seeks pearls dives deep into the sea. He who seeks greatness without toil has wasted his life in seeking the impossible." (Arabic verses quoted in the text)

Dear friends! The time has come for action. Today everyone is placing the burden of all work on others — the past has gone, the future is uncertain. Take hold of the present moment with your own hands. Do work now — act now:

"Do the work today that needs doing — the heart of the heedless does not heed. Whatever time has passed has gone — what has come — whatever life remains — wander no more, do your work. Arise! The urgent calls you in all hours. The self calls with every breath toward wakefulness." (Hasrat Siddiqui)

Dear friends! The concept of tawakkul (trust in God) is also vital here — do not misunderstand tawakkul. There is a popular saying: 'Trust in God — but also tie your camel.' That is the real meaning of tawakkul. Make your effort, take every means, do your work — and then leave the results to Allah:

وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ

"And do not kill yourselves." (An-Nisāʾ, 4:29) — Allah forbids self-destruction; take all lawful means and do your work, then trust in Him.

Dear friends! Islam is a foundational principle — and that principle is: in movement there is blessing.