The Watching Eye

Subhan Allah, when I think about perception, the first thing that comes to mind is how Allah perceives us. I didn't think this way before, it used to be, how do people watching perceive us.

For instance, take an embarrassing situation:You're in front of people and someone humiliates you. It may be that a person will jump to feel embarrassed and close in on themselves, or a better option is to realize who he is embarrassing you in front of.

I'm wondering how great it would be if I fully understood and practiced ihsan. To live life in such a way in which you can see Allah watching. It means having taqwa, and being careful... that's what I understand of it at this point in my life. I'm sure this thought will develop into something else as the years pass.

The Qur'an talks about that feeling of people watching and how horrible it is to focus on that:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِأَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي يُكَذِّبُ بِالدِّينِ ﴿١﴾1.  Have you seen him who denies the Recompense?فَذَلِكَ الَّذِي يَدُعُّ الْيَتِيمَ ﴿٢﴾2.  That is he who repulses the orphan (harshly),وَلَا يَحُضُّ عَلَى طَعَامِ الْمِسْكِينِ ﴿٣﴾3.  And urges not the feeding of AlMiskin (the poor),فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَ ﴿٤﴾4.  So woe unto those performers of prayers (hypocrites),الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ ﴿٥﴾5.  Who delay their prayer from their stated fixed times,الَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَاؤُونَ ﴿٦﴾6.  Those who do good deeds only to be seen (of men),وَيَمْنَعُونَ الْمَاعُونَ ﴿٧﴾7.  And refuse small kindnesses.

Notice verse 6 in Surah al-Ma`un. There are those who do good deeds to be seen of men. I'm sure this is probably referring to the hypocrites at the time. I'm sure I need to read into it more; however, the concept of altering our behavior because of who is watching is something worth thinking deeply about.

Indeed the only One worthy of us changing out behavior for His sake is Allah.

When this is fully realized, I believe that a person can step away from public shame, pride, and humiliation... and feel a more introverted pain when he or she sins. This inward pain will not be public but will sincerely be from shame that Allah saw us, and any pride that's worth enjoying is the pride of feeling when something has been done secretly for Allah, and humiliation will only be felt if Allah wasn't fully remembered in any situation.

Subhan Allah, may Allah protect us from a heart that is not aware of Him.

May Allah guide us towards what pleases Him.

May Allah make us of those who receive good in this life, good in the hereafter, and protection from the hell-fire. Amin