Maryam Hamza Training Our Souls
Maybe you were hoping against hope for an outcome that slipped away from you.
Perhaps you prayed and strived for something, it was almost in your hands, and you were tingling with the closeness of it…but it didn’t work out.
Maybe, just maybe, you got exactly what you wanted and more, but it wasn’t what you imagined it would be, and it fills you with a sense of crushing disappointment.
During these moments, dear brothers and sisters, realize that the truth of our Imaan (faith) is being tested.
Do our righteousness and our good thoughts of Allah only come to the forefront when He fulfills our wants and desires?
Do we demand miracles in our lives in return for our worship and striving, or do we continue to face our tests with du’a and determination?
As Muslims, we admit and acknowledge that Allah is the Only One worthy of worship. His Essence, Attributes, and Actions are high above any flaw, defect, or deficiency.
This means, logically, that the problem is with us if we question His decree and attribute negative qualities to Him, Wal Eyadu Billah.
The problem is that we are brainwashed into thinking that we know what’s best for us and that no one can take care of our best interests (or our loved ones) as we can.
But Allah is Al-Awwal (The First); He was part of our story from the very beginning, and He was the first to show us Mercy, Love, and Generosity since before our memory serves us even.
He is A-Aleem (The Ever Knowing); His knowledge is complete without any gaps, misunderstandings, or misconceptions.
This means that Allah has knowledge of every single facet of our lives right now and in the future, so He knows the impact of what we ask Him for and work towards, and how it will benefit or harm us in this life and the Hereafter.
He is Al-Hakeem (The Most Wise); Allah always places things where they belong. He always does the right thing at the right time and in the right way. This means, dear reader, that there is a Divine Wisdom behind what Allah is decreeing for you right now.
I read a beautiful quote recently, and though it was by a not-yet-Muslim, it resonated so much with the teachings of our Deen.
“Sometimes you get what you want. Other times, you get a lesson in patience, timing, alignment, empathy, compassion, faith, perseverance, resilience, humility, trust, meaning, awareness, resistance, purpose, clarity, grief, beauty, and life. Either way, you win.”
For every bitter pill you have to swallow, Allah gives you a million blessings- a million and more ‘wins.’
And it is all too probable that the pill is a win as well, and it’s what you need to heal, grow, and build yourself up to receive something even more amazing. SubhanAllah.
The imperfections that are guaranteed in this Dunya do not invalidate the countless blessings that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى has bestowed upon us.
Rather, the flaws in this life are a blessing themselves because they remind us what we’re striving for -the best of the Hereafter- the Highest Jannah and the Highest Companionship.
Another trap we fall into is feeling entitled.
We start thinking like a consumer, ‘Why isn’t Allah giving me what I want?’
We see people who don’t worship Allah properly or at all enjoy so many blessings; they possess the things we want in abundance and seem only to acquire more and more.
Then we may get caught by the satanic was-was that tries to delude us by saying, “These people who don’t even obey Allah are enjoying so many blessings. What do you get for submitting to Allah?”
When such thoughts invade our minds and try to corrode our imaan, we need to hold on to two realities.
Allah is our Master and we are His slaves.
We are not Allah’s customers. We were made to serve Him; He does not serve us.
And secondly, whatever we have, everything we have is out of Allah’s generosity towards us, not because we deserve it.
Every moment that makes us smile, every person that brings us comfort, every opportunity that allows us to do good- it’s from Allah.
We get to experience this and have that, and Allah did not have to give it to us.
And, my brothers and sisters, let’s pay attention to what Allah has promised us.
He has never promised us that if we are righteous, He will never test us.
He’s never told us that if we worship Him and obey Him, we’ll have a life of materialistic bliss with every wish of ours fulfilled!
Rather, Allah says,
“Do people think once they say, “We believe,” that they will be left without being put to the test? We certainly tested those before them. And ˹in this way˺ Allah will clearly distinguish between those who are truthful and those who are liars.”
[Al-‘Ankabut: 2-3]
However, Allah promises something infinitely more beautiful for sincere believers.
That He is with us.
He is on our side.
His exclusive help, mercy, and favour are for those who believe and do righteous deeds, and this is true success.
For example, Allah establishes that He is with the patient (those who persevere with trust in Allah despite hardships) and He is with the Muttaqeen (those who are conscious of Allah and protect themselves from everything that leads to His anger and hastens toward what He loves.)
“O believers! Seek comfort in patience and prayer. Allah is truly with those who are patient.”
[Al-Baqarah:153]
“And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for them, and provide for them from sources they could never imagine.”
[At-Talaq: 2-3]
The tidal waves will come, and the flood will come, but Allah will teach us how to build an ark and steer us to a safe haven.
Just like Nuh عليه السلام.
People may try to harm you, and you may have to part with the dearest blessing in your life, but Allah will fortify your heart with incredible strength and soon cause your arms to be filled with what you love again.
Just like Ummi Musa عَلَيْهَا ٱلسَّلامُ.
You could be put through starvation, loss, mockery, and wounds, but Allah will raise you to new heavenly heights for your sacrifice and beautiful patience during seasons of sadness.
Just like our beloved Prophet ﷺ.
There are many more stories of those whom Allah loved yet tested severely.
How we respond is what matters. The people whom Allah honours for all time in His Revelation are people who always expected the best from Him, and their actions followed this good expectation.
They were grateful, productive, gracious, and beneficial at all times- whether it was Yusuf عليه السلام calling to Tawheed (the Oneness of Allah) in the prison, Musa عليه السلام helping two women as a refugee, or Khadija رضي الله عنها cheerfully serving the Prophet ﷺ and his mission during the boycott.
As Imam Al-Ghazali رحمه الله beautifully advises us,
“You have to train your soul to know that whatever Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى has destined for you is best for you.”
Ya Allah, allow us to respond to both blessings and difficulties in a way that makes You happy with us and grant us closeness to You through gratitude and not through grief.
Allahumma Aameen.
