Assalamualaikum. kaif haluk? it is the busiest time of the semester, assignments cropping up, with just four weeks away from finals. the right time to quickly recharge, spiritually and mentally..InsyaAllah. For the ultimate panacea for all ills and weariness, (for true believers) is contained within the words of Allah, that is the Quran.
O mankind! There has come to you a good advice from your Lord (i.e. the Qur'an, ordering all that is good and forbidding all that is evil), and a healing for that (disease of ignorance, doubt, hypocrisy and differences, etc.) in your breasts, - a guidance and a mercy (explaining lawful and unlawful things, etc.) for the believers. (Yunus:57)
".... Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest" (ar-Ra'd:28)
In pursuing our interests in this dunya, dear brothers and sisters, never forget that we will eventually return to Allah. This life is short. So the discomforts that you are tested with, is only temporary. If you are true in wanting to attain Allah's pleasure, who knows it better than Allah? We are all being tested according to our respective capabilities. InsyaAllah, He knows best.
Narrated from Aishah r.a.: "No calamity befalls a Muslim but that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it, even though it were the prick he receives from a thorn," (Sahih Bukhari)
May Allah made us among the people who attain success, both in the world and hereafter, insyaAllah!
From Surah al-Qasas:
7. And We inspired the mother of Musa (Moses), (saying): "Suckle him [Musa (Moses)], but when you fear for him, then cast him into the river and fear not, nor grieve. Verily! We shall bring him back to you, and shall make him one of (Our) Messengers."
8. Then the household of Fir'aun (Pharaoh) picked him up, that he might become for them an enemy and a (cause of) grief. Verily! Fir'aun (Pharaoh), Haman and their hosts were sinners.9. And the wife of Fir'aun (Pharaoh) said: "A comfort of the eye for me and for you. Kill him not, perhaps he may be of benefit to us, or we may adopt him as a son." And they perceive not (the result of that).10. And the heart of the mother of Musa (Moses) became empty [from every thought, except the thought of Musa (Moses)]. She was very near to disclose his (case, i.e. the child is her son), had We not strengthened her heart (with Faith), so that she might remain as one of the believers.11. And she said to his [Musa's (Moses)] sister: "Follow him." So she (his sister) watched him from a far place secretly, while they perceived not.12. And We had already forbidden (other) foster suckling mothers for him, until she (his sister came up and) said: "Shall I direct you to a household who will rear him for you, and sincerely they will look after him in a good manner?"
The Quran is indeed a form of blessing and mercy to mankind. No matter how many times we read it, there is always something new to be learnt from it..MasyaAllah. I used to read the translations of the Quran really fast, without taking the time to decipher the underlying meanings of them =(. Well, if you are reading through a medical prescription specifically written for you, you wouldn't rush through it without understanding it, would you? You would want to take some time reading and maybe do some googling of the medications prescribed. Because health is something dear to you =)
The Quran is like a prescription by Allah to cure all kinds of ills, mostly related to the soul. If iman is something dear to you, you would want to preserve it according to what is recommended in the Quran al-Karim, insyaAllah.
I was reading over the translation above, of Surah al-Qasas, verse 7 to 13, and I wanted to share a few thoughts of how these verses relate to my current situation, insyaAllah. The verses above recount to us of the story of Musa a.s, of how his mother decided to send him adrift in the river, to save him from being killed by the Pharaoh at that time. All male babies were commanded to be killed, for selfish reasons of the Pharaoh. The river drifted Musa a.s towards the palace of the Pharaoh, and his wife found the baby. This all happened by Allah's will, and He is indeed the Best Planner.
Musa's mother knew this and she feared the worst, knowing that her baby was in the hands of the Pharaoh's wife! They could do anything to him. Note Allah related a short happening of how the mother of Musa a.s, nearly disclosed that Musa was indeed her son, when she hardly could contain her fear of what could happen to Musa a.s. In short, her tawakkal towards Allah was being tested. And she could have given way, if she was not strengthened by her faith. In verse 13, as a result of her being patient and firm, by Allah's willing, she was returned her son.
There is a significant lesson to be learnt in this short event. a simple event but an important message, insyaAllah. It is pertaining tawakkal (reliance) upon Allah, in whatever that we do. When we rely upon Allah, it means that we are surrendering our fate wholeheartedly to Allah (that is, after you've done your best in that particular situation).
It is pertinent that we be patient and have positive thoughts of Allah. He promised in the Quran that He will never put a trial too hard on us (al-Baqarah:286)
It is the principle of tawakkal (acceptance) that complements one's iman, insyaAllah (al-Anfal:2).
When Allah tests us with a trial, He will look upon our reactions. If we are patient in facing the trials, He promised us many great returns, insyaAllah. (al-Mukminun: 11)Humans are not perfect beings. We were created imperfect and flawed. It is with the help and assistance of Allah that we made it throughout life. In work, studies, job interviews, anything. (Luqman: 22) Even in the pursuit of fortifying our iman, it is never relied on our efforts alone. =)
My trials may be different from yours, but I believe that we are being tested in accordance to our abilities and strengths, insyaAllah. Just be strong, and know your grounds and always know the prime intentions of your actions. If you've got a pure intention, insyaAllah..He will eventually reward you, through ways that you couldnt even think of =) (at-Talaq:3)
Say: "O 'Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (az-Zumar:53)Wallahu a'alam
Zinnirah Unveiled