The Importance of ‘ra7a’

A couple of years ago, I recorded a voice memo with my grandmother, in which I asked her to reflect on the most important attribute to have in life.

Her response:

راحة

Comfort. That’s the most valuable ‘thing’ to have in life. Not the unproductive and lazy kind of comfort, but a comfort that is only attained by protecting yourself from the magnetic forces of evil. Making sure there’s no one controlling your life; that you are the decision maker when it comes to your own life’s decisions.

It is when your innermost self is comfortable, untarnished by evil deeds.

It’s the kind of comfort that actually makes you more productive. 

When I asked her to elaborate, she added:

“The comfort I’m talking about is that which is attained when you can go to sleep without owing anyone anything or being owed anything by anyone. You are sleeping in serene comfort. There are no problems sourced from the people you’ve let enter your life.

It’s satisfaction with who you are as a person; you’re satisfied with yourself because you don’t harm. Nor do you get harmed. This is what I mean by “ra7a.”

To sleep and wake up in safety. A sense of inner safety derived from your good deeds.

This is when your worldly wants will come to you with ease.”