We've been created out of clay and we've been vested with brains that make us the most complex and the most finest creations in the universe. SubhanAllah. And yet, sometimes, we choose to act like the most foolish. We have developed a misconception that we control our lives and we make our destiny. WAKE UP CALL ... we don't.
Once again I received a video from My Spiritual Fix and it got me thinking. It was entitled "Why Does Allah Do This To Me?" Do check out the video to hear Sh. Navaid Aziz address some very important points, inshAllah, some of which have inspired this article.
If we read the 99 names of Allah (swt) we would understand the true greatness of His all-encompassing entity. He is our Rabb - the Nurturer and the Planner of destiny. And not only our destiny, my dear sisters, but the destiny of even the tiny, microscopic bacteria that live in a human being's intestine. The giant, mammoth, blue whale ... the largest known mammal on earth - sustains itself by eating the most tiniest of birds. These birds never cease to exist. Who controls this cycle of life? Allah (swt). We consume millions of chicken, and cattle everyday. The supply never exhausts. Who controls our sustenance? Allah (swt).
This is destiny ...
Everything is predetermined. It's like we are the pawns on the chess board and Allah (swt) has the game plan. People who become overly engrossed in worldly success feel that they have it going for themselves. But Allah (swt) knows best. You may not wake up the next morning to tell the tale. Who're you gonna call? Game finish! This is called the Qadar of Allah (swt).
It is foolish, really, if one doesn't acknowledge the Qadar of Allah (swt). The sun rises by His command, sets by His command, the moon and the stars appear by His command and life and death come by His command. So if we sit and make long term plans for ourselves without saying InshAllah "By the will of Allah" - it signifies we're way too overconfident about ourselves being in control of our lives.
Similarly, we should also acknowledge that the trials and tribulations that come our way are also the Qadar of Allah (swt) and He has great Wisdom in His plans. Every plan that Allah (swt) makes is a Masterplan. And He has a Master Plan for each one of us regardless of us being Believers or non-Believers.
The common reaction to trials and tribulations is COMPLAIN. And the question "Why did Allah do this to me?" or "I'm the only one it happens to" or the like.
Who are we to question? This is not our life to live. It belongs to Allah (swt) and the game belongs to Him too. He plans each situation and we have to live through it. The strategy to win this game is to acknowledge the trials and tribulations as either challenges to test our character further to its limits if we are good; and as punishment to purify our deeds if we are wicked.
Lessons are to be learnt from each trial; each tribulation. And gratitude has to be offered. This is one of Allah's ways to provide us opportunities to make a difference in shaping our destiny. This is not granting control but an opportunity.
Sh. Navaid elaborates on a narration by Umar ibn Khattab (r.a.) who said that when they were faced by a trial they would thank Allah for 3 things:
1. The trial was not in our Deen
2. The trial was not as great as it could have been
3. Allah allowed us to be patient in the trial
Sh. Navaid elaborates that for every trial we should be thankful that:
1. The trial is not in our Deen i.e. it does not shake our Imaan and that our belief does not waver.
2. The trial is not as great as what some others face in this world. Millions of people go through greater tragedies in life. We have before ourselves the example of RasoolAllah (saww)'s life. He was a prophet and he went through challenges! Who are we to complain? He was born a posthumus child; never got the love of a father, and his mother passed away when he was 4. His grandfather passed away when he was 6. The only of his kin was his uncle Abu Talib (r.a.). The love of his life, Ummul Momineen Khatija (r.a.) passed away, he saw all his children pass away in his lifetime except for his daughter. When he embarked on the mission to spread the word of Allah (swt) he faced repulsion from the people who loved him, was sent into exile out of his hometown, he was stoned and slandered by people for whom he sought good. Should we still complain? Have we faced greater tragedies?
And how did things work out for RasoolAllah (saww)? His stance was elevated in this world and the HereAfter. He is remembered throughout the day in the Adhaan and the Salaah. He was patient!
3. We should be thankful that Allah allowed us to be patient in the trial. RasoolAllah (saww) was patient and "Innallaha ma'as sabireen" Indeed Allah is with the patient ones.
Ibn Abbas (r.a.) reported from RasoolAllah (saww) that: "Remember Allah in times of prosperity and Allah will remember you in times of adversity."
SO ...
STOP COMPLAINING!
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