Tears
INsights 083, Friday 4th July 2025
Tears
INsights 083, Friday 4th July 2025
Tears are mentioned explicitly just twice in revelation.
The first reference is about those who shed tears in recognition of the truth.
When they listen to what has been sent down to the Messenger, you will see their eyes overflowing with tears because they recognise the truth [in it]. They say, ‘Our Lord, we believe, so count us amongst those who bear witness.'
Chapter 5 | Verse 83
Other verses mention people falling into prostration and weeping in response to revelation.
It's worth reflecting on whether our engagement with revelation has this effect on us.
Do we approach what has been sent down with a freshness and humility that allow truth to pierce us in such a way as to bring out a teardrop or two?
The second reference is about those who wish to do good by joining their fellow believers in making a great sacrifice but, despite their sincerity, the opportunity doesn't happen to present itself at that particular point in time. They are so upset at not being able to fulfil their intention that they cry.
There is no blame attached to those who came to you [Prophet] for riding animals and to whom you said, ‘I cannot find a mount for you’: they turned away with their eyes overflowing with tears of grief because they had nothing they could contribute.
Chapter 9 | Verse 92
Perhaps, by contrast, we may feel relieved when we manage to evade opportunities to go beyond ourselves for God's cause.
It's clear that, as with all our other actions, big or small, obvious or subtle, even our tears can be signs of our devotion to God or instead an indication of how much we may be consumed with ourselves.
I leave you with two of my favourite poems about crying.
The first is an insightful reflection by Ibn Qayyim on the root cause of why we find it hard to cry:
The dryness of the eyes is due to the hardness of the heart.
The hardness of the heart is due to the multitude of sins.
The multitude of sins is due to the forgetfulness of death.
The forgetfulness of death is due to extended hopes.
Extended hopes are due to the love of this world.
The love of this world is the root of every error.
The second is by Scottish poet Charles Mackay on the beauty of crying:
Oh, you tears,
I'm thankful that you run.
Though you trickle in the darkness,
You shall glitter in the sun.
The rainbow could not shine
if the rain refused to fall;
And the eyes that cannot weep
are the saddest eyes of all.
Until next time.
Peace.
Iqbal
~~~
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