Hours ago I was
plagued with a question in my mind. How do you find balance between family
members who are just and uphold what is right versus those who are blind to the
reality? How do you 'show them the light?' The answer is clear in Surah Hud,
42-47:
In the beginning of
the story Prophet Nuh is commanded by Allah swt to embark onto an ark he had
built through Allah's command, with the believers. Nuh (as) tells his son to
join him. His son seeks refuge from the rain and flooding by running to the top
of a mountain.
"So
it (the ship) sailed with them amidst the waves like mountains, and Nuh (Noah)
called out to his son, who had separated himself (apart), "O my son!
Embark with us and be not with the disbelievers. The
son replied: "I will betake myself to a mountain, it will save me from the
water." Nuh (Noah) said: "This day there is no savior from the Decree
of Allah except him on whom He has mercy." And a wave came in between
them, so he (the son) was among the drowned. (11:42-43)
Prophet Nuh (as) lost
his son. After days of continuous flooding Allah commanded the waters to stop
pouring from the heavens and from gushing up from the earth. The disbelievers
were destroyed in this flood.
“And
it was said: "O earth! Swallow up your water, and O sky! Withhold (your
rain)." And the water was diminished (made to subside) and the Decree (of
Allah) was fulfilled (i.e. the destruction of the people of Nuh (Noah). And it
(the ship) rested on Mount Judi, and it was said: ‘Away with the people who are
Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doing)!’ (11:44).”
Prophet
Nuh (as) begged for his son, pleading and questioning why his son was taken
away from him. Nuh said he understood Allah’s judgment is true but he
questioned Him.
“And
Nuh (Noah) called upon his Lord and said, "O my Lord! Verily, my son is of
my family! And certainly, Your Promise is true, and You are the Most Just of
the judges (11:45).”
The
human nature of a woman, mother and person does this to us – we attempt to save
our children by loving them. We think we can solve their problems by showering
them with love. However Allah’s decree is final. Saying that, parents should be
cautious to withhold justice and teach children accountability rather than
letting them off the hook and ‘forgiving them’ time and time again. Tough love.
Allah
explains in Surah Hud: 46:
He
said: "O Nuh (Noah)! Surely, he is not of your family; verily, his work is
unrighteous, so ask not of Me that of which you have no knowledge! I admonish
you, lest you be one of the ignorants.”
Allah also explains although you have a nuclear family or a
blood family, the people who you should consider the believers as your family.
They are the ones who can help you. Allah also warns Prophet Nuh (as) from
becoming ignorant. The Prophets were held to higher standards of belief in
Allah, and were expected to be a spiritual moral leader and warner. A small
mistake on their end was considered big to Allah.
Therefore Prophet Nuh (as)
apologized for his mistake. “Nuh (Noah) said: ‘O
my Lord! I seek refuge with You from asking You that of which I have no
knowledge. And unless You forgive me and have Mercy on me, I would indeed be
one of the losers’ (11:47).”
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