Slipping Without Noticing
π§ Listen to this chapter (3 min)
al-Sulami describes a fault that creeps in slowly.
A person used to pray at night, or read the Qur’an daily, or give in charity. And little by little, it stops.
He describes four levels of this. The first fault is slipping in your duties. Worse is not caring that you slipped. Worse still is not even noticing. And worst of all is believing you are doing well, while you are falling.
Allah speaks of people whose efforts were lost, while they thought they were doing good.
Where does it begin? He says, with ingratitude. When we stop thanking Allah for the good He helped us do, we begin to lose it, and our loss is hidden from us.
The cure? Keep turning to Allah for protection. Remember Him often. Read the Qur’an, and look for its meanings. Respect your fellow believers. And ask righteous people to pray for you, that you return to a better state.
He also mentions a quieter fault. Crying, and feeling relieved by the tears, as if the crying itself were enough.
Tears are precious. But let them lead to change. What good habit have you let slip? Thank Him for the times you kept it, and begin again.
