HOME: A TRAINING GROUND
The present worldly life serves as a test for man. One kind of life can lead individuals toward Paradise, while another makes them deserving of eternal deprivation.
According to a narration, the Messenger of God said, “The best among you is the best for his family, and I am the best of you for my family.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1977). This means that the best individuals treat their families well, and the Prophet Muhammad set the best example. This tradition highlights the significance of the home as the fundamental unit of society. What is reflected on a larger scale in society is mirrored on a smaller scale within the home. The judgment of a person’s character is often based on their interactions within interpersonal relationships. Every house represents a microcosm of these experiences, while society reflects the macrocosm.
Living with one’s family entails a mixture of pleasant and unpleasant situations, resulting in feelings of love and hatred, happiness and sorrow alternating, along with moments of solace and pain. Sometimes, their ego is satisfied, sometimes their ego is hurt, and so on. These diverse situations within the home provide opportunities for training and personal growth. Those who maintain their consciousness of faith hold themselves accountable and navigate their lives while remaining firmly connected to the Hereafter. They become more alert and choose the correct Islamic approach when faced with similar circumstances.
Those men and women who lead conscious lives within their homes transform their living space into a nurturing environment. Consequently, their home becomes a training ground, equipping them for life beyond its walls. Then, they will be righteous in society as they did inside their homes.
Individuals who consistently engage in arguments and conflicts within their homes become habituated to such behaviour. Consequently, they are inclined to engage in disputes and clashes with others when they venture outside into society. This aggressive demeanour persists in their workplace, business dealings, and daily interactions, adversely affecting their domestic and external affairs. Likewise, some individuals exhibit rudeness within their homes but adopt a civilized and polite attitude in public, striving to create a positive image. However, this behaviour is hypocritical, and God disapproves of hypocrisy.
Fulfilling religious responsibilities for a Muslim goes beyond merely praying five times daily in the mosque, fasting during Ramadan, and performing the Hajj pilgrimage. It is equally essential for them to uphold good morals and conduct towards others. When interacting with fellow human beings, they should adhere to divine commandments and live among people with the consciousness that they are answerable to God for their every word and action.
The present worldly life serves as a test for man. One kind of life can lead individuals toward Paradise, while another type of life makes them deserving of eternal deprivation in hellfire. This testing nature of life relates to the affairs within and outside the home.
