“Like gravity, karma is so
basic we often don't even notice it.” ― Sakyong Mipham
Have you heard of the saying, ‘what goes
around comes around’? Well….that saying refers to ‘karma’ which in simple
English means ‘action and reaction’. It is a principle of retributive justice.
What
I understand karma to be is, if we commit a bad deed, then that bad deed will
be inflicted upon us later. Similarly, if we do a good deed then we will be repaid
in kind. The question is, do we believe in karma? Does it truly exist?
A
friend of mine and I were talking about karma one day. We were reminiscing about
the good ol’ times when we were young and carefree. Things were a lot simpler
back then when we had less responsibility. I do believe that, it was also due of the lack of responsibilities that I managed to get myself into so
many mischief.
When
we were small, my sisters and I were very, very, naughty. Ok! I was the
naughtiest of the three but still, being sisters, we stuck together. Once upon
a time ago, every time when we visited our grandparents’ house, the moment we
entered into the house, one of us would make a bee line towards the fridge and open
the fridge door to see what kind food was available for us to gobble up. Throughout
the entire visit, we would take turns in opening the fridge every 5 minutes
until it was time to go home. Every time we did that, my grandfather would be yelling
from the kitchen, asking us girls to leave his fridge alone. He kept saying
that one day the fridge door will come off its hinges. We drove him mad with
the fridge opening act! Of course we
didn’t believe him at that time. It was impossible! The fridge was made of
steel hence it was sturdy. The door would not come off. Simple as that.
But,
lo and behold! One fine day, in one of our usual weekly visit, I happened to be
the first one to open the fridge. Guess what? The door came off its hinges! I
stood rooted to the ground, reeling in shock, still holding on to the fridge
door. Since there was a loud thumping sound when the door hit the floor,
everyone came running to see what had happened and there I was, caught in the
act, still holding the evidence!
My
grandfather threw a fit and called us all ‘spawns of satan’! hahahahaha…actually
that was not the first time he had called us that!
Sometimes
when I think about karma, I shudder at the thought that my kids would be as
naughty as I was! I am hoping that God will not take into account that period of
my life since I was under the maturity age hence not hold me responsible for my
actions.
Now,
I am older and hopefully much wiser, I am aware that my actions towards others
will affect me in the future. The word ‘karma’ is commonly used in hindu
terminology but in Islam, karma is referred to as ‘kifara’, which means ‘you reap
what you sow’.
“Evil (sins and
disobedience of Allah, etc.) has appeared on land and sea because of what the
hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds, etc.), that Allah
may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they
may return (by repenting to Allah, and begging His Pardon).
Surah Ar-Rum 30:41
It is very
clear from the above verse that if a person is given retribution by God Al
Mighty, then it as sign for that person to repent and return back to His Ways.
Our
actions will not only leave an impact on others but also it can leave a mark on
our hearts. Actions include verbal and physical conduct. What we say or do is actually reflective
of the state of our hearts.
Messenger of Allah (peace be upon
him), say:
"Actions
are according to intentions, and everyone will get what was intended. Whoever
migrates with an intention for Allah and His messenger, the migration will be
for the sake of Allah and his Messenger. And whoever migrates for worldly gain
or to marry a woman, then his migration will be for the sake of whatever he
migrated for."
Reported
by Bukhari & Muslim
“Abu
Huraira also related that the Messenger of Allah (s) said:
The servant speaks words, the consequences of
which he does not realize, and for which he is sent down into the depths of the
Fire further than the distance between the east and the west”
Sahih Al Bukhari
“The servant says something that he thinks is
harmless, and for which he will be plunged into the depths of the Fire as far
as seventy autumns.”
Reported by Tirmidhi.
To me, the bottom line is, whether it’s ‘karma’
or ‘kifara’, the underlying message is the same ie do unto others as you would
have them do to you. If you want your future to be good whether it’s pertaining
to family, work or friends or even own self, it is better to start investing in
goodness so that you can harvest excellence.
A
bad seed will only produce unhealthy or even stunted tree but a good seed will ensure
that the tree grows big and healthy, with many wonderful branches…..
On
the authority of ibn Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with both of them): On the
authority of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s blessing and peace be upon
him) from among the sayings that he related from His Lord (glorified and
exalted be He) is that He said, “Verily, Allah recorded the good deeds and the
evil deeds. Then He clarified how [that recording should occur:] whoever decided
to do a good deed but he did not do it, Allah records it with Him as a complete
good deed. And if he decided to do it and actually did it, Allah records it
with Him as ten good deeds up to seven hundred up to many times over. If he
decided to do an evil deed but he did not do it, Allah records it with Him as
one complete good deed. If he decided to do it and he actually did it, Allah
records it as one evil deed.” (Recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim)
“Whoever brings a good deed shall have
ten times the like thereof”
(Surah al-Anaam:160)
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