Ahmed was a businessman who had worked hard to build his company from the ground up. For years, everything ran smoothly—his business was successful, his employees were happy, and the future looked promising. But recently, things started going downhill. Competitors began taking market share, and tensions among his team made decision-making difficult. To make matters worse, sales were plummeting. Despite his efforts to turn things around, nothing seemed to work.

Ahmed, feeling uneasy about the future, did Istikhara and decided to start a second company. It was a backup plan, a way to diversify his efforts in case things didn’t improve. But his decision wasn’t well received. “Why are you wasting your money on something new? Focus on fixing your existing business,” his friends and colleagues said. They couldn’t understand why he would pour resources into something when he already had an established company.

But Ahmed trusted his instincts. Despite the criticism, he went ahead and launched the second business.

A few months later, the situation in his first company spiralled out of control. The board of directors, after many heated discussions, decided to remove Ahmed from the company he had built. It was a devastating blow. For a moment, he felt defeated—everything he had worked for seemed lost. But then he remembered his second company, the one that everyone had doubted. It was already operational, and it gave him a fresh start, something to fall back on when everything else crumbled.

This experience taught Ahmed a valuable lesson—one he couldn’t have understood at the time. His decision to start a new venture, despite the criticism, had been part of a bigger plan. And that plan reminded him of a story he had heard many times, the story of Prophet Nooh عليه السلام

Prophet Nooh عليه السلام, too, had faced a situation where others couldn’t see the wisdom behind his actions. Allah had instructed him to build an ark in the middle of dry land. The people around him mocked him. They couldn’t understand why he was building such a large vessel on dry land. But Nooh عليه السلام didn’t let their scorn deter him. He trusted Allah’s command, even when it didn’t seem to make sense to anyone else.

When the flood finally came, it was that very ark—built under Allah’s guidance—that saved him and his followers. The people who had mocked him were left behind, while Prophet Nooh عليه السلام and those who believed were protected. What seemed strange at one point of time became their salvation.

Ahmed realized that his own story was similar. He had faced criticism for starting his second business, just as Prophet Nooh عليه السلام had faced mockery for building the ark. But in both cases, what seemed like a wrong move at the time turned out to be exactly what was needed. Allah’s plan had been at work all along.

The lesson Ahmed learned is one that applies to all of us: sometimes, we won’t immediately see the wisdom behind the challenges we face or the decisions we make. People may question our choices, and we may even doubt ourselves. But when we put our trust in Allah, knowing that He sees what we don’t, we realize that every struggle has a purpose.

Now, it’s important to clarify that I am in no way suggesting that Ahmed’s faith or actions are on the same level as those of Prophet Nooh عليه السلام. Prophet Nooh عليه السلام was commanded by Allah to build the ark as part of his mission to save the believers, while Ahmed’s decision to start a second business was a personal choice for worldly reasons. Prophet Nooh’s actions were directly connected to his obedience to Allah in matters of faith, whereas Ahmed’s decision was about navigating his business struggles. The similarity here lies in the response of the people around them. Both men faced skepticism and criticism for decisions that were difficult for others to understand, but which ultimately proved to be the right course in the end.

Take, for example, the case of a young man searching for a spouse. Guided by the teachings of Islam, he prioritizes finding a righteous partner who practices the Deen, believing in the words of the Prophet ﷺ, who said: “marry the religious woman, otherwise you will be a loser.” Yet, those around him pressure him to choose someone based on looks, career status, or modern ideals of success. Despite the criticism, the young man trusts in Allah’s guidance, knowing that true happiness and success in marriage come from shared faith and values.

Similarly, consider a man who receives a high-paying job offer from a well-known financial institution. The position promises a lucrative salary and high social status, but the institution is interest (riba)-based, which go against Islamic teachings. Despite the financial appeal, he chooses to decline the offer and instead accepts a lower-paying job at a halal business, one that aligns with his values and avoids riba. People around him may call his decision short-sighted, questioning why he would turn down such a prestigious opportunity, but he trusts that by adhering to Allah’s commands and avoiding what is forbidden, he will be rewarded with greater blessings and peace in the long run.

As you think about Ahmad’s story, ask yourself: how many times have you found yourself in a similar situation? Where your decisions were questioned, or you felt misunderstood for choosing a path that aligned with your values and faith? It’s not easy, and it can be discouraging. But here’s the truth: when you base your decisions on faith, trust in Allah, and keep your intentions pure, you are on the right path—even if it’s hard to see the results right away. So, before you make any big decisions, take a moment to seek goodness from Allah’s in the work you intend to do by performing Istikhara, and then go forward with confidence, knowing that what pleases Allah will always bring you peace in the end.

Don’t let fear of peoples judgment, discouragement, or temporary setbacks pull you down. Life is full of challenges, but if you hold on to your faith and stay firm in your trust in Allah, you’ll find that things will fall into place—even if it’s not how you expected. Keep going, stay positive, and remember that Allah’s plan is always better than what we can imagine.

I ask Allah to grant us all the wisdom to make decisions that are pleasing to Him. I ask Allah to strengthen our hearts with patience and trust in His plan, and help us remain steadfast in our faith no matter what challenges we face. I ask Allah to guide us in every step we take, ease our worries, and bring peace to our hearts. Bless our efforts and protect us from any harm. Aameen.