Let's Understand Islam - Police Radar Trap

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Police Radar Trap

Written by Abu Mamoon Ahmad Abdul Rahman ibn Azizur Rahman

May
11

For those of you that drive, hopefully you will find this post beneficial and be able to draw parallels from here to your own life.

I used to often find myself, when driving, going faster than the speed limit and it’s no secret that a high majority of other drivers on the road too are speeding. We all know it’s illegal, and we all know the consequences; a speeding ticket. Most people are generally aware that when going over a bridge you should drop your speed down to the speed limit when approaching the top of the bridge because it is likely there may be a police radar trap as you come down the bridge. Generally police radar traps are located so that approaching traffic, those that are being metered, cannot see the police radar until it’s too late. Now let’s try to put this scenario into perspective.

I’m sure most people don’t consider the bigger consequence of a collision. Consider this:

The economic cost to society of speeding-related crashes is estimated by NHTSA to be .4 billion per year. In 2002, speeding was a contributing factor in 31% of all fatal crashes, and 13,713 lives were lost in speeding-related crashes.
source: http://www.safedrivingtest.com/morespeed.html

Now let’s face it, the ticket, fine and points is only a side issue when faced with these types of numbers. Yet the majority of us slow down when approaching a “possible” radar trap area only to avoid the ticket. So why is it that we don’t consider the accident? My theory is that we haven’t been in an accident, or we haven’t caused an accident, or perhaps haven’t even ever seen an accident. In essence it’s the classical delusion “it won’t happen to me”.

The good news is that you might be right; maybe you won’t get into a collision. You are increasing the chances of being involved in a collision, but you may never actually be in one. The bad news is that if you are in one; it’s too late.

Now let’s step away from the vehicle and get back to normal everyday life. Our lives are governed by the rules and regulations set forth by Allah (SWT) in the holy Quran. We all know what is allowed, and what is prohibited. We all know the consequences of living by the rules, and we all know the consequences of breaking the rules. Our “police officer” is Allah (SWT).

49.1 O People who Believe! Do not advance ahead of Allah and His Noble Messenger, and fear Allah; indeed Allah is All Hearing, All Knowing.

Allah (SWT) knows everything we do, everything we think, what is in our minds and what is in our hearts. We can lie to others, we can even lie to ourselves. We cannot lie to Allah (SWT). We all know this; I am not telling you anything you did not already know. So now let’s put this into perspective.

Maybe versus Definite
a) The police radar trap *might* be there, and the fear of the ticket makes us slow down.
b) Allah (SWT) is watching all of us all of the time without any doubt. This is definite.
Perceived Consequences
a) Speeding: ticket
b) Allah (SWT): none
Real Consequences
a) Speeding: ticket or collision
b) Allah (SWT): punishment in this world and/or in the hereafter.

The same way we do not anticipate a collision when speeding because its not something which we want to think about; the same way we do not anticipate the punishment of Allah (SWT). Our minds always focuses on what is “real”. Unfortunately the punishment Allah (SWT) has promised IS VERY REAL. So I ask myself and invite you to ponder; what does it take for us to realize the Truth. Why is it so hard for us to gain Taqwa – a higher level of consciousness. We know Allah (SWT) is watching us, yet we don’t really believe it. I consider this to be the greatest state of denial. Everything we do should be preceded with the consideration of the action in light of the holy Quran and sunnat of our beloved prophet (pbuh).

I feel as though I can continue to write, questioning our understanding, recognition and appreciation of Allah (SWT), but I will end with this; We need to start living life understanding its true meaning, understanding its true rules and regulations, and following those rules and regulations. We need to stop fooling ourselves brothers and sisters. May Allah (SWT) guide us all and allow us to practice His perfect deen in a manner that pleases Allah (SWT). Ameen.

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