what matters most

There is a surrender that happens at the peak of life, and another at the edge of death, and the two do not weigh the same. There is an abdication when the first glimmer of light is seen on the horizon, and another when the last glimmer is about to fade, and the day between them is not the same.

And how you spend the day matters.

It is said, “To be pious in one’s youth is the style of prophets; in old age even the cruel wolf gives up his cruelty.”

What matters most is what you choose to do when you have everything to lose. What you choose to give up when it means the most to do so. When you decide, when you are young and beautiful and full of youth and life, what matters most to you and what doesn’t.

When you have the riches of Sulayman yet you set your face to the sky –  saying this is all from you and for you, my Lord. When you have the beauty of Yusuf yet you turn from temptation – saying this is all from you and for you, my Lord. When you have the strength and position of Hurr yet you race to Hussain’s side – saying this is all from you and for you, my Lord! When you have the youth of Qasim yet you ready your sword for battle – saying this is all from you and for you, my Lord…

When I examine my life and weigh the years in the balance – have I utilized my riches, my beauty, my strength, the way God meant me to –  or did I not value their worth enough? Have I put my head to the ground enough? Have I spoken to my Lord enough?

Have I squandered my youth in desire and play? Have I kept my Lord for my old age? Have I understood the frailty of this world enough?

. . . There is a surrender that happens at the peak of life, and another at the edge of death. And there is a lifetime in between. And how we choose to spend that lifetime – how we choose to spend each day – matters.

Make it matter.