I want you to deeply imagine this…

Imagine going to sleep this evening in your cosy bed, only to wake up the next morning on a plane, thousands of feet in the air.

What would you do? What questions would you ask yourself? Imagine how your mind would race with confusion and disbelief. How did you end up on this plane? Who brought you here, and why? As you try to make sense of your situation, you can't help but begin to wonder where this plane is headed. Where are you going, and why? How long will it be until the plane descends? What awaits you at your arrival?

Now imagine, in the midst of all this, you turn to the passenger sat next to you on this plane, they too are in the same position. They are completely clueless of what has happened, but they are enjoying the on-flight entertainment system. They tell you to 'don’t worry about where we are going, just enjoy the ride'. What would you think of this individual?

Do you see where I am going with this? Unfortunately, in our world, billions of people are unaware of the journey they are flying - their very existence. They occupy themselves with in-flight entertainment, indulging in the array of airline meals and get excited by all the little complementary freebies. However, they are completely heedless to the fact that they do not know how they came to be on this journey, why they are on it, where they are headed, or how they will prepare themselves for their destination.

This verse from Surah Al Hujurat brought to my attention a blessing that I have truly been taking for granted. 'Do not regard your Islam as a favour to me. Rather, it is Allah Who has done you a favour by guiding you to the faith' [49:17]. The most sublime gift that our Creator has bestowed upon us is the blessing of faith. Indeed, this blessing surpasses any worldly favour that we may amass in this temporary life.

Faith is a blessing that sets human existence apart and grants humanity an important role within the grand scheme of the universe. Through faith, believers are bestowed with a broader understanding of the universe they inhabit, equipped with a guidebook and manual for navigating interactions with fellow passengers on their journey and are prepared with guidance and comfort for enduring periods of turbulence. Faith grants believers a sense of serenity, assurance, and contentment in all that unfolds around them, including their own experiences. It allows them to answer the fundamental questions of their existence: Where did they come from, and for what reason? Where are they headed, and why? They appreciate that their purpose in life is specific, and that every experience they encounter serves to further that purpose. They acknowledge that this life is a trial, and that their actions, no matter how significant or insignificant, will be rewarded in the hereafter. With faith, believers are certain that their creation is purposeful, and that they will never be forsaken or left to fly alone.

Faith – a gift that has been bestowed upon us by The Most Merciful. Never can faith be viewed as an obligation or a burden, but rather it a precious and priceless treasure that we must honour, cherish and thank Allah for. So, my fellow believers and reflectors, we cannot be certain when our flight will descend. As you prepare for your descent, put your worldly distractions on 'airplane mode', ensure that you remain in the upright position and fasten your seatbelt of taqwa (God Consciousness). May Allah guide us on our journey and keep our hearts grounded in faith. May He grant us the strength to overcome any turbulence and trials we may face, and may He bless us with the ultimate destination of Paradise. Ameen.