ĪMĀN (FAITH): THE BELIEVER’S GREATEST TOOL
A strong Īmān can keep you focused on the fact that ALLĀH alone ultimately controls all destinies and has power over all things. Remembering this fact alone at the moment of afflictions or despair can help you conquer the pain and provide you hope and the energy to keep moving forward, ALLĀH said: “Whatever ALLĀH grants to people of mercy – none can withhold it; and whatever HE withholds – none can grant it thereafter. And HE is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” {Ar-Rūm || Verse 2}
As Muslims, we should accept ALLĀH’s Decree both as it manifests itself around us and in our lives. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “…know (without doubt) that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, they would not benefit you except with what ALLĀH had already prescribed for you. And if they were to gather together to harm you with anything, they would not harm you except with what ALLĀH had already prescribed against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” {At-Tirmidhi}
It should be a relief to us that only ALLĀH is the Master of our destiny and we are only going to be tested about whether we reacted to what befalls us as true believers (i.e. being patient in adversity and grateful in prosperity). Suhayb reported: The Messenger of ALLĀH (ﷺ) said, “Wondrous is the affair of a believer, as there is good for him in every matter; this is not the case for anyone but a believer. If he experiences pleasure, he thanks ALLĀH and it is good for him. If he experiences harm, he shows patience and it is good for him.” {Muslim #2999}
As part of that belief, we should, therefore, recognize that ALLĀH does what HE wills for reasons that are only known to HIM. Any attempt to comprehend the wisdom of it all using our limited faculties, or to understand how our current situation fits in HIS overall plan can only lead us to erroneous conclusions resulting in increased frustrations. Ibn al-Qayyim (may ALLĀH have mercy on him) mentioned: “The servant does not always recognize the generosity of ALLĀH, HIS wisdom and kindness, nor does he always know the significant difference between what he was granted and what he was protected from. He is fond of matters being decided immediately even if they are mean, and refuses the later ones even if they are better. If the servant could just treat ALLĀH justly, he would have known that the pleasures of this world that ALLĀH has protected him from are better for him than those things which ALLĀH may have granted him from these pleasures. ALLĀH prevented him from some of them in order to bestow upon him something that is better.” {Al-Fawā’id || Page 89}
Even when all doors appear to have been closed, as true believers we should never let feelings of helplessness succumb to us. We should stay in control by hanging on to the Mercy, perfect Wisdom and Grace of ALLĀH.
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