2. Do we worship Allah on an edge?

Belief Alone Is Not Enough...Why Worship Matters

Allah says:

{And of the people is he who worships Allah on an edge. If he is touched by good, he is reassured by it; but if he is struck by trial, he turns on his face [to the other direction]. He has lost [this] world and the Hereafter. That is what is the manifest loss.} (Al-Hajj 22:11)

All throughout the surah, beginning with the very first verse, are intense reminders of the afterlife. Yet, most of us do not live with the afterlife constantly in mind.

So by default, we measure our accomplishments and tragedies against the dunya (worldly life).

If something good happens, we treat it as if it will be there forever (even though we’re guaranteed it won’t be). But when trial hits, our faith is the first to be destroyed. Living without our priorities straight is “worshipping God on an edge.” 

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Be prompt in doing good deeds (before you are overtaken) by turbulence [fitan] which would be like a part of the dark night. During (that stormy period) a man would be a Muslim in the morning and an unbeliever in the evening or he would be a believer in the evening and an unbeliever in the morning, and would sell his faith for worldly goods.” (Muslim)

Have we let our defenses around our heart down so badly that we can lose our faith in the matter of a morning to evening?

Unfortunately, this is the reality with how quickly some of us make decisions that jeopardize our iman (faith). But what is it worth? Certainty not our akhira (Hereafter). This is why tawbah (repentance) should be a daily habit for every believer.