It’s a short but packed chapter about the spider.
What do we know spiders to be? Those creepy crawly insects that live in the corners of our homes;and spin webs all over our walls, right? And the spider’s web is, as Allah Azza wajalsays in the Qur’an, the flimsiest of houses.
Surat Al-`AnkabÅ«t (The Spider) – سورةالعنكبوت
The example of those who take allies other than Allah is like that of the spider who takes a home. And indeed, the weakest of homes is the home of the spider, if they only knew.
The spider weaves its web by secreting strings, looks for what it assumes is a sturdy structure, throws it across and makes a connection. It then sticks the second side to the structure it is on for support, creating the first line. It does this a couple more times and makes a triangle. This becomes his home. Now, within that triangle, a circular kind of web-like attachment is created. These are sticky so that he can catch his prey within it.
So, what you have is atriangular web which allows the spider to move easily across the attachments he has made to a wall, wooden pillar or something that he believes is sturdy enough. And then, a circular sticky one that will gather his food.
Right now, just think about the fact that he has made a plan, like we all do in life. We make a plan,we go out and look for assistance and take it from those we believe are the strongest aka the walls and pillars. We hold fast to these people putting our hopes on them andstarting to build castles with these plans. These plans, we hope, will bring or catch, if you like, insects, and prey…help us achieve our goals.
And then we wait because we’ve done all the work we’re supposed to do, right? And then what happens? A human being walks through the web and brings everything down. It’s not like you even know that the spider is there, or maybe you’re like me, you decide to clean your walls, and so you take those long brushes and clean, right?
We all make plans every day, every time, but do we honestly believe that the plans we make or the people that we trust will help us achieve the things we want? Do you think you’re so wise you can build a skyscraper? If He wills, it will come down. Titanic anyone?
We’re able to go and read for an exam and pass. Do you think youmade that happen or did Allah decree that you will pass? It is Hewho gave you the money that came into your account. He gave you the job you had no idea where it came from or how.
This is not to say there is no need to strive. You must strive and build that web, and yes, trust the pillar and wood structures and hope that an insect will be caught in your web but in all those preparations, remember that it is a spider web, and it can only be firm or affirmed by putting your faith in Allah. So, whatever the outcome, qadarallah.
Now imagine those who do not have this belief. Their entire life and existence are like that spider web, for they have taken this world as their succour, and their awliyaare the disbelievers. And what a flimsy house, what a flimsy connection, what a weak friendship.
What a distraught state.