Surah al-Ankabut [ The Spider ] , Epilogue....Life Is A Fitnah

In essence, surah al-Ankabut is all about life's never ending trials [..fitnah ]. We are tried differently according to our social standing in life, our financial constraints, IQ, EQ, talents and capabilities. Pa' Mat Nyadap from Padang Pa' Amat, Pasir Putih whose only talent is his ability to look after his cows in the field has a different arrays of test and trials from the Sultan in his state or his Mentri Besar [ Chief Minister ]. 

While Pa' Mat has to grapple with mainly the fortitude and the 'sabr' required to deal with the level of poverty in his life, he does require some modicum of knowledge  backed by the most minimum of  divine wisdom  that percolates down to him via his equally 'intellectually and financially challenged parents', to go through his day to day 'trials and tribulation', and  yet keep his nose 'just above' existence level. The Mentri Besar and the Sultan, both well endowed to the brim, have more arrays of tests and trials set up for them. Trials of poverty and trial of excesses of influence, wealth and power, are worlds apart. Similarly, the Prime Minister of Malaysia has to answer more 'questions' than the 'office boy' manning his office in Putrajaya.

On the surface, all appear glittering like 'gold' in the lives of the rich, powerful  and famous, but beneath the superficialities, lies the responsibilities , fully decked with 'trials'.


Life is a Trial [ Fitnah ] in whatever angles and ways one can look at it.

You are a king, thousands at your beck and call.
The sun seem to be never setting down on your life.....but your trial is bigger.

Pharaoh, was a 'King of kings' in term of  absolute power and wealth. Both got the better of him. He failed his 'tests' miserably and had the single distinction of being named several hundred times in the Qur'an  for eternity and already 'confirmed and reserved' for eternal damnation..

Qarun, likewise will also head that way. All the 'Bill Gates of the world', have a different set of trial from Pharaoh.
IQ, EQ, hard work, wealth tries one in a different way.
Is the zakat enough for your stature of wealth?
Did you pound the ground just now with much pride?
Was it rudeness to the poor butler or was it just your style of talking straight?

I have a billionaire friend once who confided to me; " Howk, it is easy at your level to have to pay zakat one or two thousand ringgit a year. But at my level, having to see and part with millions RM yearly , every year, can be a source of heartache. "
I respect him for his honesty. Put yourself in the position of al-Waleed, flying around in private Boeing, and yatch as big as the Queen E, surrounded by dozens of very hot,beautiful and alluring young ladies everywhere you move, tugging at your trousers and your pocket, then you will get the picture....

The fitnah for scholars can be even greater...
Are you selling  short God's words for a few gold coins?
That 'fatwa' you just blurted out, was it sincere?
Who is more fearful to you?... God or the Prince?
If so, why didn't you advice the Prince to behave appropriately?
On a scale of 10, where are you as a scholar?

..and lastly don't  for a moment think that just because you are the ordinary bloke on the street you are not tested.
What have you done with your time?
What have you done with your wealth?
Are your children and your wives God-fearing?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_vzhahFZdo&noredirect=1