IECRC (USA & Canada)

Tuesday, November 25, 2003

Volume 1, Issue 3 (Shawwal 1424)

A favor from Me

Don’t you recognize it?

What is there that is not a

Thank You?

Sura 55, Ar Rahman (Most Kind)

Allah is Wise, All Knowing.  What He, Exalted be His Name, says in the Holy Qur’an is 100% true.  As Muslims we know this for certain, without a doubt.  There are times we may not understand the wisdom in an ayat (verse, sign) but that is due to our lack of knowledge and understanding, not the Wisdom of Allah or the truthfulness of His Word.

In Sura 42 Al-Shura (Consultation), ayat 30, we are told misfortune comes to us due to what we have earned.  And our beloved guide, the one Allah chose to clarify the meaning of life for us, Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings on his sweet soul, said:

For every sadness, every sorrow,

every ache and pain,

even the prick from a rose,

Allah erases a sin.

This means sadness, sorrow, pain or any discomfort we may suffer, are payments for our sins and we no longer owe a debt for them.  Just as we cannot enumerate the blessings of Allah Almighty, we cannot know how many times in a day we think bad thoughts or do bad deeds.  Every act of commission without the Command of Allah and every act of omission to the Command of Allah is an act for which we are accountable.

If we remember that our Lord and Master is absolutely free to do whatever He likes and in His Hand is all good, then Insha Allah we would also remember everything that comes to us comes from Him and is good for us.

Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, may his soul be blessed, in his book Futuh al Ghaib, summarizes lessons from the Holy Qur’an:

As for the trial of man – sometimes it comes as a punishment for any violation of law and any sin which has been committed; at others it comes with the object of removing the defects and refining the nature of man and at still others it comes to raise a man in spiritual rank.

Shaikh Farid ad Din Attar, in his hagiological book, Muslim Saints and Mystics, told the story of one of the Friends of Allah (Wali Allah) (may they be blessed) who enjoyed the loving and respectful treatment of his wife and daughter.  One day, for no apparent reason, both females spoke loudly and rudely to him.  The Friend retired to a private place and pleaded with Allah to forgive him for whatever he had done, or had not done, to cause the harshness they were displaying toward him.  Immediately after that private conversation his wife and daughter returned to their normal loving and respectful behavior.

In the late 1990’s in California, a Muslim brother had been out of work for six months and was actively looking for a job that would support him and his family.  Finally he was hired, though the pay was a great deal less than he had previously earned. The day before he was to start this position, he slipped and broke his leg.  The employer had to find a replacement for him.  His friends were more upset than he was.  He insisted there is wisdom behind everything and patiently accepted the decree of Allah.  While recuperating, he again began job hunting.  Not only did he find a job in his field but the pay was much more than the job he lost.

Allah is Great and His Timing Perfect

We should graciously accept and recognize what comes to us is a gift from the Most Loving and Wise Creator.  It may be a warning of our disobedience in time to correct the mistake, it may be an atonement for a sin we knowingly or unknowingly committed or an exaltation of our spiritual rank.  In any event it is:

A gift from Me

Don’t you recognize it?

What is there that is not a

Thank You?

Khadija J.C. Locks

Sister Khadija is a resident of Los Angeles, CA. She is the author of “The Wealth of the Inheritors”, published by Nuqoosh Press, Lahore, Pakistan. She is currently working on a book on the subject of Islamic stories for children. She is a regular contributor to the IECRC Newsletter.