.Men whom neither merchandise nor selling diverts from the remembrance of Allah and the keeping up of prayer and the giving of poor-rate; they fear a day in which the hearts and eyes shall turn about; An-Noor [24:37]
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it is easy to forget the more profound and meaningful aspects of existence. However, the Balancing Act verse in Surah An-Noor [24:37] serves as a gentle reminder of the importance of maintaining a balanced life that incorporates both worldly responsibilities and spiritual endeavors. This verse broadly speaks of men whose lives are not inordinately consumed by trade or commerce; they are not thrown off their spiritual goals amidst the daily grind.
The verse begins, "Men whom neither merchandise nor selling diverts from the remembrance of Allah..." This part of the verse beautifully encapsulates the main message of maintaining a balance between earthly and spiritual duties. It tells us that despite being engaged in business activities, these men do not forget their creator. They manage to retain the remembrance of Allah in their hearts and minds and are committed to his worship. Through this collective phrase, the Quran is promoting a significant aspect of a Muslim’s life: the balance between Deen (Religion) and Dunya (World). It emphasizes that being involved in worldly affairs is not inherently wrong as commerce and trade are integral parts of life, as long as it does not divert one from spiritual obligations.
Moving on, “...and the keeping up of prayer and the giving of poor-rate…” This part of the verse is a call to action - as Muslims, one should not only remember Allah in their hearts but also manifest this remembrance through actions, most importantly, Salah (Prayer) and Zakat (Charity). It implies that despite their preoccupation with worldly matters, these righteous individuals keep the commandments of Allah at the core of their existence. They remain conscious of their Salah and Zakat duties and fulfill them with sincerity and devotion.
Finally, “...they fear a day in which the hearts and eyes shall turn about.” This presents a vivid picture of the Day of Judgement, where these men fear their hearts and sights will be overturned. This sense of fear does not stem from terror, but a deep respect, reverence, and awareness of their accountability to Allah for their actions in this world. It highlights the fact that these men have immense faith and are prepared for the day when each soul will be made accountable for its deeds.
To conclude, the verse from Surah An-Noor [24:37] serves as a reminder and a guide as to how we should strike a balance in our lives. It propounds that we can engage in worldly affairs but should not allow them to deviate us from our spiritual obligations. Remembering Allah, performing Salah, giving Zakat, and keeping the awareness of the Day of Judgement can guide us on the path of righteousness. The verse, thus, serves as an inspiration for every Muslim to maintain a balanced lifestyle involving both Dunya (World) and Deen (Religion) and to foster within ourselves the fear and love of Allah swt. In this lies the potential of the ultimate success, both in this world and in the hereafter.
