Have you ever tried to understand the deep meaning of this phrase?
“To Him we belong, and unto Him We shall return”.
Today we will discuss this phrase on a whole new level.
Generally, we recite this zikr when we hear news of someone’s demise.
But if we ponder, these are just beautiful words that give warmth and a sense of security throughout ones life.
These words will not just only give you happiness , but also will reduce your anxiety and fears.
Let us talk about the first part that says “To Allah we belong”
The word “belong” has different meaning, for example “to be attached or bound by birth’’
Allah (SWT) is assuring us that we belong to Him. Belonging to someone who is Al-Ra-uuf (The kind), Al-Wali (The Protecting Friend), Al-Lateef (The Gentle), Al-Ghafur (The Forgiving), Ar-Rahim (The Merciful). Al-Wadud (The Affectionate Loving), makes one’s soul the luckiest.
This sense of belonging gives unlimited ways to feel nourished and secure.
A constant reminder of this phrase will help you feel at peace.
How does this psychologically calm you? Belonging to someone means you are loved, attached to, and looked after by someone. Someone who is claiming to get your back.
It gives you confidence that you will never be alone as you belong to the divine Allah Almighty, Allah Hu Akbar
Your brain will keep sending you the message that there is someone who is guarding you, protecting you, and will shield you when required.
Allah (SWT) is telling us it’s His responsibility that He will look after our needs and will provide us sustenance.
His name is Al-Razzaq (the provider), verily, Allah provides sustenance to whom He wills, without limit’- (3: 37) one’s anxiety and worries naturally flee in times of difficulty if one has faith that there is an Almighty who will get him out of trouble or will never never let him fall.
His mind will be at peace all the time by thinking it’s not him who is dealing directly with his own matters rather it is Allah (SWT) who does that instead.
The following mentioned hadith Qudsi will make you fall in love more with Allah (SWT): Allah says:
He who is hostile to a friend of Mine, I will declare war against.
My slave approaches Me with nothing more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him, and My slave keeps drawing nearer to Me with voluntary works until I love him.
And when I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he seizes, and his foot with which he walks.
If he asks Me, I will surely give to him, and if he seeks refuge in Me, I will surely protect him”.(Bukhari)
Now if we see the deeper meaning of the second part that is ‘Unto Him we shall return”.
The Prophet (SAW) has beautifully described traveling as a matter of discomfort.
He said:
“Traveling is a portion of punishment” – (Bukhari)
Since a traveler stays away from his home and comfort, he intends to return home as soon as possible.
When we keep reminding ourselves of returning to our Lord, it will give us God-consciousness.
His servants will tend to fall less into sins and will be aware of their wrongdoings.
When in the back of our mind we will be having a thought of returning, we shall automatically focus more to do good deeds to gain the pleasures of Allah.
Another interesting aspect of this phrase is, when we are away from our homes we become homesick.
Allah (SWT) is giving us again a sense of relaxation and assurance that we will return to our eternal abode in Jannah a place where we will reside forever without having any affliction.
Umar R.A, said: The Prophet took me by the shoulder and said:
“Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a traveler.”
Ibn Umar added:
“When evening comes, do not expect (to live till) morning, and when morning comes, do not expect (to live till) evening. Take from your health (a preparation) for your illness, and from your life for your death.” (Bukhari)
So, keep your Imaan high, by reciting this Zikr to feel the love and protection of Allah (SWT) now and always.