Rahat-lil-Qalb

Embracing Allah’s Mercy and Wisdom: Trusting Through Life’s Trials

RLQAdmin — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 07:57:24 +0000

Introduction

In this life’s voyage, we stumble across moments of despondency, dejection, misery, regret, uncertainty, and downheartedness. Amidst such situations, resorting to and projecting our thoughts to the spiritual wisdom of the Qur’an can offer us solace and consolation. One of the most comforting themes threaded through the Qur’an is Allah’s Mercy. Probing into the mercy of Allah سبحانه و تعالى (may He be glorified and exalted) in the Qur’an not only gladdens and uplifts our spirits but also reasserts our faith in His infinite compassion and His loving mercy towards us.

Understanding Allah’s Rahmah

The Arabic word ‘Rahmah’ means ‘Mercy’. The very name of Allah سبحانه و تعالى, “Ar-Rahman” (The Most Merciful), and “Ar-Raheem” (The Especially Merciful) signifies the profound extent of His mercy.

But how is this mercy evident in our lives? Allah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Glorious Qur’an:

لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا ۚ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَعَلَيْهَا مَا ٱكْتَسَبَتْ ۗ رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَآ إِن نَّسِينَآ أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَآ إِصْرًۭا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِنَا ۚ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِۦ ۖ وَٱعْفُ عَنَّا وَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَٱرْحَمْنَآ ۚ أَنتَ مَوْلَىٰنَا فَٱنصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ

“Allah does not require of any soul more than what it can afford. All good will be for its own benefit, and all evil will be to its own loss. (The believers pray,) “Our Lord! Do not punish us if we forget or make a mistake. Our Lord! Do not place a burden on us like the one you placed on those before us. Our Lord! Do not burden us with what we cannot bear. Pardon us, forgive us, and have mercy on us. You are our (only) Guardian. So, grant us victory over the disbelieving people.”

Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 286

This verse from the Qur’an encapsulates a believer’s plea for Allah’s understanding, patience, and above all, His mercy, a mercy that is vast, ever-ready, and unconditional.

Allah’s mercy constantly surrounds us as we navigate through the challenges of this life.

‏إن لله تعالى مائة رحمة أنزلمنها رحمة واحدة بين الجن والإنس والبهائم والهوام، فيها يتعاطفون، وبها يتراحمون،وبها تعطف الوحش على ولدها، وأخر الله تعالى تسعاً وتسعين رحمة يرحم بها عباده يوم القيامة

Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Allah has one hundred mercies, out of which He has sent down only one for jinn, mankind, animals and insects, through which they love one another and have compassion for one another; and through it, wild animals care for their young. Allah has retained ninety-nine mercies to deal kindly with His slaves on the Day of Resurrection.”

(Bukhari and Muslim, Riyad as-Saleheen 420)

This Hadith not only foregrounds the immensity of Allah’s mercy but also emphasizes that what we witness in this life is merely a speck of the mercy awaiting us in the Hereafter.

Seeking and Embracing Allah’s Mercy

It is never too late to seek Allah’s boundless mercy. By trusting in His forgiveness, seeking repentance, and striving to improve, we can embrace His loving mercy, regardless of past mistakes. In this fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and broken. Reflecting on the mercy of Allah سبحانه و تعالى in the Glorious Qur’an can be our anchor. It serves as a reminder that no matter how great our problems may be, the mercy of Allah is even greater.

Allah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Glorious Qur’an:

قُلْ يَـٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ.

“Say, (O Prophet, that Allah says), “O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

(Surah Az-Zumar, Ayah 53)

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ تُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ تَوْبَةًۭ نَّصُوحًا عَسَىٰ رَبُّكُمْ أَن يُكَفِّرَ عَنكُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِكُمْ وَيُدْخِلَكُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍۢ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ

“O believers! Turn to Allah in sincere repentance, so your Lord may absolve you of your sins and admit you into Gardens.”

(Surah At-Tahrim, Ayah 8)

Furthermore, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said,

قَالَ اللَّهُ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ إِنَّكَ مَا دَعَوْتَنِي وَرَجَوْتَنِي غَفَرْتُ لَكَ عَلَى مَا كَانَ فِيكَ وَلاَ أُبَالِي يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ لَوْ بَلَغَتْ ذُنُوبُكَ عَنَانَ السَّمَاءِ ثُمَّ اسْتَغْفَرْتَنِي غَفَرْتُ لَكَ وَلاَ أُبَالِي يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ إِنَّكَ لَوْ أَتَيْتَنِي بِقُرَابِ الأَرْضِ خَطَايَا ثُمَّ لَقِيتَنِي لاَ تُشْرِكُ بِي شَيْئًا لأَتَيْتُكَ بِقُرَابِهَا مَغْفِرَةً

“Allah the Almighty said: O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it.”

(Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3540)

In a narration in Sunnan Ibn Majah, we find that Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

التَّائِبُ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ كَمَنْ لاَ ذَنْبَلَهُ

The one who repents from sin is like one who did not sin.

(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 4250)

A man asked Ibn Umar, “What did you hear Allah’s Messenger ﷺ saying regarding An-Najwa (secret talk between Allah and His believing worshipper on the Day of Judgment)?” He said, “(The Prophet ﷺ said),

يَدْنُو أَحَدُكُمْ مِنْ رَبِّهِ حَتَّى يَضَعَ كَنَفَهُ عَلَيْهِ فَيَقُولُ عَمِلْتَ كَذَا وَكَذَا‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ نَعَمْ‏.‏ وَيَقُولُ عَمِلْتَ كَذَا وَكَذَا‏.‏ فَيَقُولُ نَعَمْ‏.‏ فَيُقَرِّرُهُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ إِنِّي سَتَرْتُ عَلَيْكَ فِي الدُّنْيَا، فَأَنَا أَغْفِرُهَا لَكَ الْيَوْمَ ‏”‏‏.

One of you will come close to his Lord till He will shelter him in His screen and say: Did you commit such-and-such sin? He will say, ‘Yes.’ Then Allah will say: Did you commit such and such sin? He will say, ‘Yes.’ So, Allah will make him confess (all his sins) and He will say, ‘I screened them (your sins) for you in the world, and today I forgive them for you.

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6070)

These verses and Ahadith uplift us, reminding us that despair has no place in a believer’s heart. Allah’s mercy is always accessible, as He says:

وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱغْفِرْ وَٱرْحَمْ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ

And Say, My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for You are the best of those who show mercy.

(Surah Al- Mu’minoon, Ayah 118)

The Infinite Wisdom and Knowledge of Allah

Dear brothers and sisters, human knowledge and wisdom, even combined, are not even like a grain of sand compared to Allah’s infinite knowledge and wisdom. There is no comparison to it in any way.

Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) says in the Glorious Qur’an:

وَلَوْ أَنَّمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مِن شَجَرَةٍ أَقْلَـٰمٌۭ وَٱلْبَحْرُ يَمُدُّهُۥ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ سَبْعَةُ أَبْحُرٍۢ مَّا نَفِدَتْ كَلِمَـٰتُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌۭ.

If all the trees on earth were pens and the ocean (were ink), refilled by seven other oceans, the Words of Allah would not be exhausted. Surely Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.

(Surah Luqmaan 31:27)

This verse highlights Allah’s boundless knowledge and power, using a powerful metaphor to show that even all earthly resources couldn’t capture His words.

Once we understand this, we will realize that the rulings of Allah سبحانه و تعالى, all stem from knowledge, justice, wisdom and kindness.

Allah سبحانه و تعالى says:

وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقًۭا وَعَدْلًۭا ۚ لَّا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَـٰتِهِۦ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

The Word of your Lord has been perfected in truth and justice. None can change His Words. And He is the All-Hearing, All- Knowing.

(Surah Al-An’aam, Ayah 115)

Regarding this Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله said: “And all His deeds are beneficial, wise, merciful, just and good. Evil cannot be part of the deeds or words of the One Who is on the straight path; rather evil can only be part of the words and deeds of one who drifts away from that path.”

(Madaarij as-Saalikeen bayna Manaazil Iyyaaka Na’budu wa Iyyaaka Nasta’een 1:44)

Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) asserts that His rulings are based on truth and justice and the rulings of others are based on ignorance. And Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an:

وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ حُكْمًۭا لِّقَوْمٍۢ يُوقِنُونَ.

And who is better in judgement than Allah for a people who have firm Faith?

(Surah Al- Ma’idah, Ayah 50)

Allah teaches us that only His revelations are true; all else stems from whims and ignorance, no matter how it’s justified

All of the views and ideas that are contrary to what the Messenger ﷺ brought are based on whims and desires and the rulings of ignorance, even if those who propagate them describe them as rationally-proven facts with certain proof, which is akin to the polytheists describing their idols and statues as gods, and the hypocrites describing their endeavor to spread mischief on earth and turn people away from faith as an effort to spread righteousness and do what is right

(al-Sawaa’iq al-Mursalah 3:1046)

Submitting to Allah’s Wisdom in Trials

After knowing that Allah سبحانه و تعالى is “All Wise” and “All Knower”, do we (an insignificant slave of Allah, a weak creature) know more than what Allah knows, and that with our weak mind we could understand that which The Knower of the unseen cannot understand?

Allah سبحانه و تعالى, in His sublime wisdom, Allah may test believers by concealing the wisdom behind His rulings to assess their faith and see whether he will submit to the ruling of his Lord or will he object to His ruling and take an arrogant stance towards Allah (may He be glorified and exalted).

True believers submit to His will, even if the reasons are unclear, and seek His guidance.

Allah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Glorious Qur’an:

وَرَبُّكَ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَيَخْتَارُ ۗ مَا كَانَ لَهُمُ ٱلْخِيَرَةُ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ وَتَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ.

وَرَبُّكَ يَعْلَمُ مَا تُكِنُّ صُدُورُهُمْ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ.

وَهُوَ ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ لَهُ ٱلْحَمْدُ فِى ٱلْأُولَىٰ وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۖ وَلَهُ ٱلْحُكْمُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ.

Your Lord creates and chooses whatever He wills—the choice is not theirs. Glorified and Exalted is Allah above what they associate (with Him)! And your Lord knows what their hearts conceal and what they reveal. He is Allah. There is no god (worthy of worship) except Him. All praise belongs to Him in this life and the next. All authority is His. And to Him you will (all) be returned.

(Surah Al-Qasas, Ayah 68-70)

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah رحمه الله said:

Allah is not to be questioned about what He does because of His perfect wisdom, mercy and justice, not just because of His subjugation of creation and His might

(Majmoo Al-Fataawa 8/511)

Trusting Allah’s wisdom is central to faith. In trials, when outcomes are unclear, we must trust that Allah, the Just, knows what is best for us. Human reason is limited, but Allah’s knowledge is infinite. Misjudging this can lead to misguidance and distress.

Surrendering to Allah’s Lordship and Wisdom

The first step on the path of Islam is to surrender completely to the Lord of the Worlds, to His power, will, and rulings. A true Muslim submits fully to Allah’s commands and prohibitions, accepting His laws whether they align with personal desires or not. Islam requires total submission, in all matters, big or small.

Allah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Glorious Qur’an:

فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا۟ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًۭا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًۭا.

But no! By your Lord, they will never be (true) believers until they accept you (O Prophet) as the judge in their disputes, and find no resistance within themselves against your decision and submit wholeheartedly.

(Surah An-Nisa, Ayah 65)

My dear brothers and sisters, we must sincerely renew our faith and surrender to the Lord of the Worlds. Let us cleanse our hearts from doubts and negative thoughts, and turn to Allah in sincere repentance. As our faith strengthens, our trust in Allah will naturally grow.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

ذَاقَ طَعْمَ الْإِيمَانِ مَنْ رَضِيَ بِاللَّهِ رَبًّاوَبِالْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولًا

He has found the taste of faith who is content with Allah as his Lord, Islam as his religion and Muhammad as his Messenger.

(Saheeh Muslim, Hadith 39)

Over and above all these things, we must never forget that here is nothing to save us from the pain of doubt, uncertainty, hesitation and confusion for the words of Allah سبحانه و تعالى . Reading it persistently, understanding it, reflecting and pondering upon its meanings, seeking guidance, comfort and reassurance from it, is what will bring about peace and tranquility in our life.

An advice, from a smart and a wise philosopher, who has read the words of wise men and has great knowledge of philosophy and kalaam, says:

“The book of Allah (may He be glorified and exalted), is protection and refuge; in it there is healing, clarity, guidance and light; in it is the answer to every problem and to it will turn everyone who is confused. Its verses that speak in general terms are sufficient for people with sound hearts, and its verses that speak in detail offer sufficient healing for people with doubts in their hearts.

Its apparent meanings will call you in clear words to surrender to that which is hidden from you.

And its hidden meanings will indicate to you that you should comply with its apparent meanings. This is if you understand the difference between the divine and the slave. But if you are controlled by doubts and confusion, and you cannot see the difference between the good and the bad, or differentiate between the true reality of this and the false reality of that, then I fear that you will be doomed and you will continue to be confused, then your fate will be utter loss.”

(Al-Basaa’ir wa’dh-Dhakhaa’ir by at-Tawheedi 2:112-113)

Trusting Allah in Trials and Taking Action

My dear brothers and sisters, we need to understand that Allah سبحانه و تعالى is All-Wise and whatever He does, He does for a reason, whatever happens, it happens for a reason. Allah knows us and this is matched with another important concept, which is where Allah says:

لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا

Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope.

(Surah Al- Baqarah, Ayah 286)

Allah does not burden a soul with more than it can bear. Imagine facing an exam made by a robotic system that doesn’t know your struggles, it might feel unfair. But when a teacher who knows you creates the test, it feels more just and tailored to your level.

Now reflect on Allah, the One who created you and knows you better than anyone. He knows your strengths, your pain, your circumstances. So when you’re tested, know that the test is not random. It’s crafted by the All-Wise, All-Knowing, and it is always within your capacity. Trust His wisdom.

There’s an important point about our relationship with Allah. I once read about a brother whose son had autism. People at the Masjid kept telling him, “Pray more, make better du’a… your son will be cured.”

This sincere convert replied, “I am praying and making du’a… why isn’t this being removed?”

My dear brothers and sisters, this mindset is mistaken. Islam is not a transaction. Our relationship with Allah isn’t, “If I do this, He must give me that.” We worship Him out of love, trust, and submission, not as part of a trade.

Our belief system should not be of a decree where we start to think that if I do this and this and this, then all the difficulties of my life will be alleviated. That is not our belief. I will tell you why;

Try to ponder over the stories of the Prophets of Allah (may He be glorified and exalted). They were the ones sent by Allah to teach, guide and purify us.

The Prophets are amongst the most Righteous people of all. The Qur’an speaks of the Prophets as being the greatest human beings of all times and calls them; “Blessed by Allah (may He be glorified and exalted)”. But, my dear brothers and sisters, take a step closer and think. Didn’t these great people face difficulties and trials?

Yusuf عليه السلام being betrayed and enslaved, and Muhammad ﷺ losing his family, they faced trials despite their righteousness. Their challenges show that trials are part of life, not a lack of faith. Trust Allah’s wisdom, not a transactional faith.

Building Trust Through Trials and Action

A step closer in understanding the Wisdom of Allah سبحانه و تعالى will make us acknowledge that its nothing but love and mercy that we receive from Allah because He tests us because He wants to see that if we truly claim to love Him, then are we ready to endure difficulties, oppressions, etc. and after facing the trials will we still be strong in our love for Him. He (may He be glorified and exalted), The Most Gracious wants us to choose Him freely, out of our free will, not forcedly. Ultimately, and beyond all, what Allah سبحانه و تعالى wants for us is only Goodness and nothing else. After facing the trials, it’s we who will receive the benefits in the end, either in this world or in the next.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

مَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُصِبْ مِنْهُ

If Allah wills good for someone, He afflicts him with trials.

(Saheeh al Bukhari, Hadith 5645)

Trust in Allah prepares us to face trials with wisdom, strengthening our Eemaan (faith) and those of around us. We trust His wisdom, knowing we can handle challenges with His help.

وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مَخْرَجًۭا. وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُۥٓ.

And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for them, and provide for them from sources they could never imagine. And whoever puts their trust in Allah, then He (alone) is sufficient for them.

(Surah At-Talaq, Ayah 2-3)

While we are in a hardship we should and we have to turn to Allah, trust Him and be hopeful that only He will relieve us. By His mercy he can grant us ease and restore our happiness. Thinking and analyzing too much can often create bigger problems than the ones we are trying to solve. We must keep in mind that as Muslim we are trained by Allah سبحانه و تعالى who understands the severity of the difficulties we are put into. It’s not about our perception of others or how we are perceived by others. It’s not about when and how we set out to do something or set upon a course of action. It’s not about the perception of what everyone else thinks. What’s more important is, Do We have that trust in Allah? “Even if it is difficult, Ya Allah, I will take the means. Ya Allah, I will do what’s necessary.”

That is what we are taught in Islam. We are taught that we must understand and accept the Asbaab (reasons/causes/means). We cannot sit in a corner and say, “Yaa Allah, my Rizq. Yaa Allah, my provision. Yaa Allah! Deliver it to me.” Rather, we must go seek for that provision. Even if it is difficult, even if it is challenging, we must go and we must take the means. No matter how smart we are or how smart we’ve been told we are, we must still take the means.

This thing goes back to the famous example of a person who did not tie his camel.

A man said “O Messenger of Allah, should I tie my camel and trust in Allah, or should I leave her untied and trust in Allah?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Tie her and trust in Allah.”

(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2517)

This is a big lesson for all of us to learn from. There is a place for us to have an impact and to have an influence. Those things which are within our capacity and to act upon, we must act upon. And those things which are beyond our capacity, we must understand the balance and the fact that those things are beyond our understanding and reach. We have no influence on what would be on the exam, we have no influence on how the boss thinks or the boss acts. We have no influence on what the trade market is doing. But the things that we do have influence on, the things that we can do, is to understand and implementing the concept of tying our camel and placing our trust in Allah (may He be glorified and exalted).

May Allah increase our Eemaan. May Allah fulfill the needs of those in need. May Allah help us understand and appreciate His wisdom in our lives. May Allah help us to overcome the difficulties and challenges in our lives with our Eemaan intact and increasing.

Conclusion: Faith as a Source of Strength and Peace

Looking at the bigger picture of this life helps us to put our problems and adversities in context. Our faith helps us to have a happier outlook and perspective. Strong established beliefs and spiritual striving are being acknowledged as a form of protection against emptiness. Many confess that the connection to a greater power or truth can give a sense of meaning and purpose. Amongst researchers the link between faith and preventing the feeling of emptiness, as well as combating it, is becoming agreed upon. In fact, it would be fair to predict that our faith and practice of Islam are probably directly, and proportionally, linked to our ability to deal with difficult situations.

Allah(may He be glorified and exalted), The Most Compassionate, wants us to succeed in this life and to achieve true success, positivity and peace. If we use our faith as a strong handhold and follow His commands, we will be taken care of and our troubles can be melted down or eradicated thereby.

May Allah help us all to do and say that which is right. And Allah knows best.

سُبْحـانَكَ اللّهُـمَّ وَبِحَمدِك، أَشْهَـدُ أَنْ لا إِلهَ إِلاّ أَنْتَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتوبُ إِلَـيْك

Glory is to You, O Allah, and Praise is to You. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but You. I seek Your forgiveness and repent to You.

The post Embracing Allah’s Mercy and Wisdom: Trusting Through Life’s Trials appeared first on Rahat-lil-Qalb.

Positive attitude during distress

Shaikh Subhan Madni — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 12:58:22 +0000

Introduction

Even though many Muslims in today’s time choose to think negatively about the world and its inhabitants, Islam actually encourages the opposite. Islam is a way of life which encourages and emphasizes positive thinking. If we want to make our journey a peaceful one in this Dunya then we must certainly believe that we will be put through tests and trials. Being tested in this Dunya, facing hardships, is something that we cannot completely ignore and omit. We cannot sit back and expect things to fall into place while allowing our minds and hearts to drift off track. One of the first and most basic things that we need to realise and commit ourselves to is maintaining a positive attitude at all times, especially when we are distressed or sad which, as this is an essential part of Islam. We must feed our minds and our hearts with the reality of this world (Dunya) which is just a temporary place where we are meant to face hardships.

Tests and Trials: A Qur’anic Perspective

Allah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Glorious Qur’an:

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ

And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.

(Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 155)

Allah سبحانه و تعالى also says

أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ ٱلْبَأْسَآءُ وَٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ نَصْرَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌۭ

Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, “When (will come) the Help of Allah?” Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near!.

(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:214)

After believing and having faith in Allah سبحانه و تعالى , do we still think that we will attain the goal of entering Paradise without being tested in this life?

We all will certainly be put to test in different ways like the ones before us, including the Prophets and the Messengers (peace be upon them all) of Allah سبحانه و تعالى. Some of them were afflicted by poverty, hardship, and trials so intense that they were shaken, to the point that even the Messenger and those who believed with him cried out:

“When will the help of Allah سبحانه و تعالى come?”
Indeed, the help of Allah سبحانه و تعالى is near. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:214)

When we reflect on this verse from the Qur’an we realise that no matter how severe our struggles may be, the help of Allah سبحانه و تعالى will surely come, at the time He wills. This belief will act as a boon to our distressed mind and heart. Hope, trust, belief and faith, these should form the foundation and pillars of our positive attitude.

The Year of Sorrow: The Prophet’s Example of Resilience

Even our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ went through numerous hardships and trials. In just a single year he went through hardships that many of us will never see in a whole lifetime. The year we are referring to is known as the Year of Sadness, and there’s no better way to illustrate ‘positive thinking in the face of hardship’ than by reflecting on this very year.

This was Aam al Huzn (the year of sorrow) in which our beloved Prophet ﷺ lost two of his dearest people. One was his wife, Khadeejah (may Allah سبحانه و تعالى be pleased with her), who was his absolute soulmate. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ always remembered Khadeejah (may Allah سبحانه و تعالى be pleased with her).

One time he ﷺ remarked his beloved wife Khadeejah (may Allah سبحانه و تعالى be pleased with her) as “she believed in me when all others disbelieved; she held me truthful when others called me a liar; she sheltered me when others abandoned me; she comforted me when others shunned me; and Allah سبحانه و تعالى granted me children by her while depriving me of children by other women.”

(Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 41, p. 356)

The second person was his uncle, Abu Talib, who was not only dearly beloved to him ﷺ, but also a crucial figure in his life from childhood through adulthood. Abu Talib was a strong political and moral supporter of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, standing by him during intense trials (fitan) and protecting him from the hostility and opposition of those who were fiercely against Islam.

Abu Talib was one of those good-hearted people who inspite of not entering into the fold of Islam had helped him ﷺ. After the death of Abu Talib, the Quraysh the Quraysh gained a free hand and intensified their persecution, as there was no one left to shield and protect the Prophet ﷺ

Yet, despite facing such heartbreaking losses and increased hostility, the Prophet ﷺ remained steadfast and resilient. He did not give up on his mission or question Allah’s سبحانه و تعالى plan. Instead, he turned even more sincerely to his Lord, continued spreading the message of truth, and sought new opportunities, like his journey to Ta’if. His perseverance during this painful period is a powerful reminder that hardships are not the end, they can be the beginning of something greater when we place our trust in Allah سبحانه و تعالى .

The Journey to Taif: Patience and Positivity in Action

With the sorrow of losing two of his beloved people still persisting, he ﷺ used to travel and visit different tribes and different individuals, inviting them to Islam. Yet, all the tribes and most of the people he went to, rejected him. At Taif, the second biggest town of Hijaz, there lived a big clan called Banu Thaqif. Prophet ﷺ left for Taif with the hope of winning them over to Islam, thereby providing a sanctuary for the Muslims from the persecution of the Quraysh and also establishing a base for the future propagation of Islam. On reaching Taif, Prophet ﷺ visited the three chieftains of the clan separately, and placed before each of them the message of Allah سبحانه و تعالى, and called upon each of them to stand by his side. Instead of accepting his message, they refused to even listen to him and not in keeping the famous Arab hospitality, each of them treated him most disrespectfully and rudely. They plainly told him that they did not like his stay in their town.

As they were the heads of the clan, Prophet ﷺ had expected a civil and friendly treatment and due courtesy in speech from them. But one of them sneered: “Hey, is it true that Allah سبحانه و تعالى has made you a Nabi?” The other exclaimed with ridicule: “Could Allah سبحانه و تعالى not lay His hand on anyone else, beside you to make him His Nabi?” The third one mockingly remarked: “I do not want to talk to you, for if you are in fact a Nabi, then to oppose you is to invite trouble, and if you only pretend to be one, why should I talk with an impostor?” [Tareekh-e-Islam 1/122]

Prophet ﷺ, who was a rock of steadfastness and perseverance, did not lose heart over this check from the chieftains and tried to approach the common people; but nobody would listen to him. Instead they asked him to clear off from their town and go wherever else he liked. When he realized that further efforts were in vain, he decided to leave the town, but they would not let him depart in peace and set the street urchins after him to hiss, to hoot, to jeer at, and to stone him. He ﷺ was so much pelted with stones that his whole body was covered with blood and his shoes were clogged to his feet. He left the town in this sorrowful light. When he was far out of the town and safe from the mob, he prayed to Allah سبحانه و تعالى saying:

رَبِّي، اِلَى مَنْ تَكِلُّنِيْ اِلَى بَعِيْدٍ يَتَجَهَّمُنِيْ ؟ اَوْ اِلَى عَدُوٍّ مَلَكْتَهُ اَمْرِيْ ؟ اِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ بِكَ غَضَبٌ عَلَيَّ فَلاَ اُبَالِيْ وَلَكِنْ عَافِيَتَكَ هِيَ اَوْسَعُ لِيْ، أَعُوْذُ بِنُوْرِوَجْهِكَ الَّذِيْ اَشْرَقَتْ بِهِ الظُّلُمَاتُ، وَصَلُحَ عَلَيْهِ اَمْرُ الدُّنْيَا وَاْلاَخِرَةِ مِنْ اَنْ تُنَزِّلَ بِي غَضَبُكَ اَوْ تَحُلُّ بِي سَخَطُكَ، لَكَ الْعَتْبَي حَتَّى تَرْضَي، وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ اِلاَّبِكَ. (الرحيق المختوم

“Oh Allah, I complain to You alone that I am weak, that I do not have any resources and that I do not hold any significance in the eyes of the people. O, Most Merciful of all those who show mercy, You are the Rabb (Lord) of the weak, and You are my own Rabb (Lord). To whom are You to going to entrust me? To a stranger who would look at me harshly or to an enemy, to whom You have given control over my affairs. If You are not angry with me, then I do not care for anything except that I should enjoy Your protection. I seek shelter in Your light (noor), which removes all sorts of darknesses and controls the affairs of this world and the hereafter. May it never be that you become angry with me or you are displeased with me. I must please you until You are happy with me. There is neither strength (to refrain from evil) nor any power (to do any good) except with You.” (Ar-Raheeq-Al-Makhtum)

The Heavens were moved by the Du’a and Jibreel (peace be upon him) appeared in front of The Prophet ﷺ greeting him with As Salaamu Alaikum and said: “Allah سبحانه و تعالى knows all that has passed between you and these people. He has deputed the angel in charge of the mountains to be at your command.” Saying this, Jibreel (peace be upon him) brought the angel before the very eyes of the Prophet ﷺ. The angel greeted the Prophet with As Salaamu Alaikum and said: “O, Nabi of Allah سبحانه و تعالى, I am at your service. If you wish, I can cause the mountains overlooking this town on both sides to collide with each other, so that all the people therein would be crushed to death, or you may suggest any other punishment for them.” The merciful and noble Prophet ﷺ said: “Even if these people do not accept Islam, I do hope from Allah سبحانه و تعالى that there will be individuals from their progeny who would worship Allah سبحانه و تعالى and serve His cause.”

Lessons from the Prophet’s Conduct

Look at the conduct, patience and the positivity of our noble Prophet ﷺ whom we profess to follow. We get so much irritated over a little trouble that we tend to forget our responsibilities as a Muslims. Our Eemaan dwindles and we try to look for solutions in things and places which will not help us at all. Thus, after searching, when we don’t see the clear sky, negativities pave their way in. Just for example, a mere abuse from somebody will make us keep on torturing them and taking revenge throughout our lives in every possible manner. But does this form of attitude befit people who claim to call themselves ‘Believers’ and ‘followers of the noble Prophet ﷺ?’

Even after so much suffering at the hands of the Taif mob, Prophet ﷺ neither cursed them nor did he wish for any revenge, even when he had the full opportunity to do so. Despite of all these difficulties and the trials, our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ always responded in a very positive way. Throughout all the hardships, including the loss of his beloved wife Khadeejah (may Allah سبحانه و تعالى be pleased with her), his dear uncle Abu Talib, his companions, and the grief of losing his own children, his Eemaan never wavered. There were times when he used to feel the sorrow but he never lost his positive attitude and continued spreading the message of Islam in the best of ways that he knew.

Allah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Glorious Qur’an:

لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌۭ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلْيَوْمَٱلْـَٔاخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًۭا

Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah often.

(Surah Al-Ahzab, Ayah 21)

And speaking about hardship Allah سبحانه و تعالى says

وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تُحِبُّوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَهُوَ شَرٌّۭ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

Perhaps you dislike something which is good for you and like something which is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know.

(Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 216)

This verse teaches a powerful lesson—what looks like a setback might actually be setting you up for something better. And what feels like a blessing could carry hidden harm. We see only a small piece of the puzzle, but Allah سبحانه و تعالى sees the full picture. So even when we go through pain, disappointment, or loss, we should hold on to the hope that Allah’s سبحانه و تعالى plan is better than ours. If we truly trust that He knows what we don’t, we’ll find comfort even in life’s hardest moments.

Nothing is more beneficial for us than abiding by the judgments of Allah سبحانه و تعالى , even if it is difficult for us at the beginning, because all its outcomes are good, peaceful, delightful, and pleasurable. In the same way, nothing is more harmful for us than committing what is forbidden, even if we love it. All its outcomes are pain, grief, emptiness, evil and misfortune.

Scholarly Wisdom on Embracing Hardships

Hassan Al Basri رحمه الله said: “Don’t hate hardships that you face. Perhaps that which you hate is what will save you and perhaps that which you like may harm you”.

Shaykh Saleh Al-Uthaymeen رحمه الله said: “Do not hate a thing which Allah سبحانه و تعالى has chosen for you; certainly whatever Allah سبحانه و تعالى has chosen for you has a greater benefit which you do not know about.”

We must always know that distress, hardship and problems are blessing in disguise for those who are patient and hope for reward from Allah سبحانه و تعالى. The believer’s psychology should be the one which remembers that, Allah سبحانه و تعالى forgive sins for every discomfort that he/she will experience throughout his/her life. Surely, trials are part of believer’s life journey. Perseverance is his reclining coach and Allah سبحانه و تعالى is the only hope for reward for every distress, hardship and emptiness.

Hadith Teachings: Positivity in All Circumstances

Prophet ﷺ said:

عَجَبًا لأَمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِنَّ أَمْرَهُ كُلَّهُ خَيْرٌ وَلَيْسَ ذَاكَ لأَحَدٍ إِلاَّ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاءُ صَبَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ

Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer for if he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (God), thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is a good for him in it.

(Saheeh al Muslim, Hadith 2999)

This Hadith teaches us to approach life with positivity. The good times are opportunities for gratitude and the difficult times are tests of patience. Both situations are good for us, so no matter what happens in our lives, there is always a way to benefit from it. We just need to think and believe that We will surely win with the Help from Allah سبحانه و تعالى.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

يَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى أَنَا عِنْدَ ظَنِّ عَبْدِي بِي، وَأَنَا مَعَهُ إِذَا ذَكَرَنِي، فَإِنْ ذَكَرَنِي فِي نَفْسِهِ ذَكَرْتُهُ فِي نَفْسِي، وَإِنْ ذَكَرَنِي فِي مَلأٍ ذَكَرْتُهُ فِي مَلأٍ خَيْرٍ مِنْهُمْ، وَإِنْ تَقَرَّبَ إِلَىَّ بِشِبْرٍ تَقَرَّبْتُ إِلَيْهِ ذِرَاعًا، وَإِنْ تَقَرَّبَ إِلَىَّ ذِرَاعًا تَقَرَّبْتُ إِلَيْهِ بَاعًا، وَإِنْ أَتَانِي يَمْشِي أَتَيْتُهُ هَرْوَلَةً

Allah says: ‘I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him) and I am with him if He remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than they; and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.

(Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Hadith 7405)

Conclusion: A Mindset of Hope and Victory

In this important Hadith Al-Qudsi, Allah سبحانه و تعالى Himself informs us of the importance of positive thinking about Him. We must maintain good thoughts about our Creator and not allow the devil to place evil thoughts in our minds. The more positively we think about Allah سبحانه و تعالى , the more benefits we will gain from it, in this world and the next

Prophet ﷺ said:

إِيَّاكُمْ وَالظَّنَّ، فَإِنَّ الظَّنَّ أَكْذَبُ الْحَدِيثِ، وَلاَ تَجَسَّسُوا، وَلاَ تَحَسَّسُوا، وَلاَ تَبَاغَضُوا، وَكُونُوا إِخْوَانًا

Beware of suspicion, as suspicion is the falsest talk, and do not spy upon each other, and do not listen to the evil talk of the people about others’ affairs, and do not have enmity with one another, but be brothers.

(Saheeh al Bukhari, Hadith 5143)

Negative thinking in our daily life is the root cause of chaos, hatred, enmity, jealousy, and disunity. This Hadith prohibits all causes of negative thinking, whether it be unfounded suspicion, backbiting, or spying. All these sins must be avoided.

Life gets tough sometimes, and what really helps us through is how we think. Islam teaches us to stay hopeful, trust that Allah سبحانه و تعالى knows what’s best for us, even when we don’t understand it right away. When we stop assuming the worst, avoid gossip or judging others and try to think good about people and about Allah سبحانه و تعالى , it brings so much peace to our hearts. Positive thinking isn’t just good for us, it brings us closer to Allah سبحانه و تعالى and helps us build better, kinder relationships with others too.

May Allah سبحانه و تعالى protect us all from all negative thoughts.

The post Positive attitude during distress appeared first on Rahat-lil-Qalb.

Expecting only from Allah : the path to lasting peace

Shaikh Subhan Madni — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:24:48 +0000

The Trap of Human Expectations

Expectation from everyone else other than Allah سبحانه و تعالى is something that so many of us in this world are unknowingly a slave to. We tend to expect people’s gratitude and favors in return for our goodness and kindness. And when our expectations are turned down we consider ourselves as a failure and the feeling of emptiness seeps in. We often feel sad or resentful when we’re not thanked enough for the good we’ve done for others. Broken families, fractured relationships, and hearts left in distress, all because gratitude was never shown for the kindness we offered. Is this how we, Muslims should be? Whenever we do a favor to someone, do we expect something in return? Do we feel regret if the amount of return doesn’t equate to the amount of effort we have given? Of course we do, Right?

Seeking Only from Allah سبحانه و تعالى

Allah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Glorious Qur’an

وَلَا تَمْنُن تَسْتَكْثِرُ. وَلِرَبِّكَ فَٱصْبِرْ

And do not confer favor to acquire more. But for your Lord be patient.

(Surah Al- Muddaththir, Ayah 6-7)

We should never expect anything from anyone except the Almighty, because people have the tendency to hurt us and let us down. Placing our good expectations solely in Allah سبحانه و تعالى is an act of worship and it is the key to true happiness and peace. Having good expectations of Allah سبحانه و تعالى is a noble act of worship that a believer should nurture in his heart at all times and in every stage of life. We must always have good expectations of Him when it comes to receiving guidance, provision (Rizq), every form of help, whether we are hoping for the righteousness of our offspring, the acceptance of our supplications, the forgiveness of our sins, or any matter of our lives.

Ibn Mas‘ood رضي الله عنه said: “By Allah سبحانه و تعالى , a believer is not endowed with a better blessing than having good expectations of Allah سبحانه و تعالى . By Allah سبحانه و تعالى , no person expects good of Him except that He gives him what he expected; for all good lies in His Hand.”

(Ibn Abi Ad-Dunya)

How wonderful it is to have good expectations from Allah سبحانه و تعالى and be certain that our heartbreaks will be healed, our hardships will be relieved, our toil will be succeeded by comfort, our tears will be replaced with smiles, our sickness will be followed by recovery and that after the worldly life comes to an end there will be Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous ones.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

(Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Hadith 7405)

Trusting Allah سبحانه و تعالى in Trials and Supplication

Clinging to false expectations from people or the situation won’t do us any good. Our faith, belief and all our expectations should be from the one who put us under the trials, so as to see who amongst us are the righteous ones. When we supplicate Allah سبحانه و تعالى we should have good expectations from Him that He will accept our supplication, when we give in charity for His sake, we should have good expectations from Him that He will reward us when we give up something for His sake, we should have good expectations from Him that He will compensate us with what is better than what we gave up, when we seek forgiveness, we should have good expectations from Him that He will forgive us and replace our sins with good deeds.

Al-Ma’moon said to Muhammad ibn ‘Abbaad: “I was informed that you show hospitality to all the visitors of Basra!” He responded: “Withholding generosity implies having bad expectations of Allah سبحانه و تعالى .”

Another version of his response reads: “He who has a rich master (i.e. Allah سبحانه و تعالى) can never become poor!”

In times of crisis, affliction, sacrifice, overwhelming fitnah (temptations), misfortune, debt, poverty, sadness, emptiness, and inner chaos, we must place our trust in Allah’s سبحانه و تعالى wisdom and expect from Him alone. And we must remember that sooner or later Allah سبحانه و تعالى will definitely show us the way out of our difficulties.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

مَنْ نَزَلَتْ بِهِ فَاقَةٌ فَأَنْزَلَهَا بِالنَّاسِ لَمْ تُسَدَّ فَاقَتُهُ وَمَنْ نَزَلَتْ بِهِ فَاقَةٌ فَأَنْزَلَهَا بِاللَّهِ فَيُوشِكُ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِرِزْقٍ عَاجِلٍ أَوْ آجِلٍ

Whoever suffers from poverty and he beseeches the people for it, his poverty shall not end. And whoever suffers from poverty and he beseeches Allah for it, Allah will send provisions to him, sooner or later.

(Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2326)

Prophetic Examples of Unshakable Trust

The Glorious Qur’an mentions the state of the Prophets and the Messengers when harsh adversities befell them; they had good expectations of their Lord with certitude and trust in His promise. Their actions and their belief were based on firm conviction rather than passing thoughts. An example is the response of Moosa عليه السلام to his people mentioned in Surah Ash Shu’ara,

فَلَمَّا تَرَآءَ الۡجَمۡعٰنِ قَالَ اَصۡحٰبُ مُوۡسٰٓى اِنَّا لَمُدۡرَكُوۡنَۚ

And when the two companies saw one another, the companions of Moosa said, “Indeed, we are to be overtaken!

قَالَ كَلَّا ۚ اِنَّ مَعِىَ رَبِّىۡ سَيَهۡدِيۡنِ ٦٢

[Moosa] said, “No! Indeed, with me is my Lord; He will guide me.

فَاَوۡحَيۡنَاۤ اِلٰى مُوۡسٰٓى اَنِ اضۡرِبْ بِّعَصَاكَ الۡبَحۡرَؕ فَانْفَلَقَ فَكَانَ كُلُّ فِرۡقٍ كَالطَّوۡدِ الۡعَظِيۡمِۚ ٦٣

Then We inspired to Moosa, “Strike with your staff the sea,” and it parted, and each portion was like a great towering mountain.

(Surah Ash Shu’ara, Ayah 61-63)

Another example is what our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had said to Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه when his enemies were standing by the entrance of the cave (where they were hiding):

لَا تَحۡزَنۡ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَنَا

Do not grieve; indeed, Allah is with us.

فَاَنۡزَلَ اللّٰهُ سَكِيۡنَـتَهٗ عَلَيۡهِ وَاَ يَّدَهٗ بِجُنُوۡدٍ لَّمۡ تَرَوۡهَا وَجَعَلَ كَلِمَةَ الَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوا السُّفۡلٰى ؕ وَكَلِمَةُ اللّٰهِ هِىَ الۡعُلۡيَا ؕ وَاللّٰهُ عَزِيۡزٌ حَكِيۡمٌ

Then Allah sent down His Sakeenah (calmness, tranquillity, peace) upon him, and strengthened him with forces (angels) which you saw not, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while the Word of Allah that became the uppermost; and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.

(Surah At-Tawbah, Ayah 40)

Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه narrates: I said to the Prophet ﷺ while I was in the Cave. “If any of them should look under his feet, he would see us.”

He ﷺ said,

مَا ظَنُّكَ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ بِاثْنَيْنِ اللَّهُ ثَالِثُهُمَا

O Abu Bakr! What do you think of two (persons) the third of whom is Allah?

(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith 3653)

The Role of Certainty in Supplication

We must also keep in mind that when a person is devoted to supplication, no matter how harsh the calamities and the hardships are he/she is never overwhelmed by them and is always guided to find ways out of them. His/her affairs are facilitated and all the efforts are blessed with success.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

ادْعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَنْتُمْ مُوقِنُونَ بِالإِجَابَةِ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَسْتَجِيبُ دُعَاءً مِنْ قَلْبٍ غَافِلٍ لاَهٍ

Call upon Allah while being certain of being answered, and know that Allah does not respond to a supplication from the heart of one heedless and occupied by play.

(Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3479)

Lastly, we must always be mindful that a Muslim should be confident in the vastness of the Mercy of Allah سبحانه و تعالى and that He accepts the repentance of His slaves and pardons their bad deeds.

Al-Fudhayl Ibn-al-Iyaad went to Sufyaan Ath-Thawri (may Allah سبحانه و تعالى have mercy upon them) on the Day of ‘Arafah and asked him:

“Who among the people is in the worst condition on this day?”

He answered: “The ones who think that Allah سبحانه و تعالى will not forgive them.”

This is because doubting His Forgiveness constitutes having ill expectations of Allah سبحانه و تعالى, The All-Forgiving, whose vast Mercy encompasses all things.

Conclusion

True peace lies in freeing ourselves from the shackles of human expectations and anchoring our hopes solely in Allah سبحانه و تعالى. By expecting only from Him, we align our hearts with the certainty that He alone controls all outcomes, turning our distress into tranquility and our trials into opportunities for growth and reward. This shift is not just a solution to emptiness; it is a pathway to a lasting, unshakable peace that transcends the fleeting validations of this world.

May Allah سبحانه و تعالى give us the guidance to trust in Him alone and have every form of expectations with Him at all times.

The post Expecting only from Allah : the path to lasting peace appeared first on Rahat-lil-Qalb.

Worshipping Allah rightly : the souls path to peace

Shaikh Subhan Madni — Thu, 15 May 2025 07:51:37 +0000

In a world where material wealth and health often fail to bring true contentment, the quest for peace of mind and heart remains a universal need. The Glorious Qur’an declares that we were created to worship Allah سبحانه و تعالى alone, offering a path to tranquility through devotion. By worshipping Allah in the way He prescribed, following the Sunnah of His Messenger ﷺ we find balance, healing, and a lasting peace that fills the void no worldly gain can satisfy.

The Essence of Worship in Islam

Worshipping Allah سبحانه و تعالى (may He be glorified and exalted), in Islam is woven into the daily life of a Muslim which enable him/her to cultivate his/her relationship with Allah سبحانه و تعالى. It is a broad term that includes all actions, beliefs, and statements that are pleasing to Allah and in obedience to His will. It is an active part of daily life that can take place anywhere, and is not confined to a holy place. The purpose for which we were created is to worship Allah alone with no partner or any associates. Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) says in the Glorious Qur’an

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ.

“And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)”

[Surah Adh-Dhariyat, Ayah 56]

Following the Prophet’s Path

Allah has not left us to choose our own way of worship, rather He سبحانه و تعالى has sent His Messenger ﷺ and revealed the Glorious Qur’an, to show us the way and guide us with everything in this life and to attain a better place in the Hereafter . As such, there is nothing in terms of worship, goodness and guidance that Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) loves, but it has been explained by His Messenger ﷺ. Not a single Muslim disputes that Muhammad ﷺ is the best and most pious of mankind, the one who worshipped Allah and turned to Him the most at every instance of his life. Hence, the one who is truly guided is the one who follows his path and walks in his footsteps. Adhering to the path of the Prophet, Muhammad ﷺ is not something that is optional, but rather it is an obligation that Allah سبحانه و تعالى has enjoined upon His slaves, as He (may He be glorified and exalted) says in the Glorious Qur’an:

وَمَآ ءَاتَىٰكُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَىٰكُمْ عَنْهُ فَٱنتَهُوا۟ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ.

“And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it). And fear Allah; verily, Allah is Severe in punishment”.

[Surah Al-Hashr, Ayah 7]

وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍۢ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥٓ أَمْرًا أَن يَكُونَ لَهُمُ ٱلْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ ۗ وَمَن يَعْصِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَـٰلًۭا مُّبِينًۭا

“It is not for a believing man or woman—when Allah and His Messenger decree a matter—to have any other choice in that matter. Indeed, whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has clearly gone (far) astray.”

[Surah Al-Ahzaab, Ayah 36]

Allah سبحانه و تعالى also says,

لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌۭ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلْيَوْمَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًۭا

“Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah often.”

[Surah Al-Ahzaab, Ayah 21]

The Danger of Innovation in Worship

The Prophet ﷺ stated that every innovated kind of worship would be rejected and thrown back at the one who does it, no matter what it is.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي أَمْرِنَا هَذَا مَا لَيْسَ فِيهِ فَهُوَ رَدٌّ

“Whoever innovates into this matter (Islam) of ours that which does not belong to it, it will be rejected.”

(Saheeh Al Bukhari, Kitaab al Islaah, Hadith 2697)

No deed will be accepted and will be fruitful, unless it is done sincerely for the sake of Allah سبحانه و تعالى and in accordance with the traditions (Sunnah) of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. This is what is meant by the words of Allah (may He be glorified and exalted):

ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَٱلْحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًۭا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفُورُ

“He is the One Who created death and life in order to test which of you is best in deeds. And He is the Almighty, All-Forgiving.”

[Surah Al-Mulk, Ayah 2]

In accordance to this, Al-Fudayl ibn ‘Iyyaad said: “If a deed is not sincere and not correct, it will not be accepted. If it is correct but is not sincere, it will not be accepted unless it is both sincere and correct. ‘Sincere’, means that it is done for the sake of Allah سبحانه و تعالى and ‘Correct’, means that it is in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.”

Therefore, whoever wants to attain the Pleasure and Rida (“approval” or “perfect contentment with Allah’s will or decree”) of Allah, he has to adhere to the Sunnah) of His Messenger ﷺ. All paths to Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) are blocked and useless, except one: the path of His Prophet, Muhammad ﷺ.

The Prophet ﷺ was compassionate towards his Ummah and cared deeply for them. He did not leave anything good without elucidating it to them. Therefore, whosoever invents an act of worship, dhikr or wird and claims that it is good, is accusing the Prophet ﷺ whether he realizes it or not, of not conveying the religion as Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) commanded him to do, and inturn this person inculpates the Creator for not perfecting this religion for us.

For this reason, Imam Maalik (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Whoever introduces any innovation into Islam claiming that it is good is implying that Muhammad ﷺ betrayed the message entrusted to him, because Allah سبحانه و تعالى says:

ٱلْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمَ دِينًۭا

“This day, I have perfected your religion/faith for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”

[Surah Al-Maida, Ayah 3]

Thus, whatever was not part of the religion of Islam at that point should never be part of the religion of Islam today.

The Sahaabah, Taabi’een and Imams issued many warnings against innovation.

Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamaan رضي الله عنه said:

“Every act of worship which the companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not do, do not do it.”

(Sharh Usool I’tiqaad Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah of Imaam Al Laalikaa’ee)

Ibn Mas’ood رضي الله عنه said:

“Follow and do not innovate, for the religion is complete. Adhere to the old way (i.e., the way of the Prophet ﷺ and the Sahaabah.”

(Sharh Usool I’tiqaad Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah of Imaam Al Laalikaa’ee)

May Allah protect us all and help us all to avoid innovation and its people.

Worship as a Source of Balance and Healing

Thus my dear brothers and sisters, worshipping Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) in the rightful way is the only thing that can bring about balance in our chaotic lives and a sense of healing to our distressed heart. But we must also remember that Allah is in no need for our worship but rather, we are the ones who are in need for His mercy and grace. Healing indeed comes from Allah سبحانه و تعالى and the rightful way of worship acts as an instrument for the process of healing, giving us hope, confidence, contentment and the courage to fight our spiritual and emotional distress.

Allah سبحانه و تعالى informs us about the generous words of Prophet Ibraheem (peace be upon him)

وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ

“And He (alone) heals me when I am sick.”

[Surah Al-Shu’ara, Ayah 80]

During worship the soul dwells in tranquility and fulfills the purpose it was created for:

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

“I have not created the jinn and men except for this, that they worship me alone.”

[Surah Al-Dhariyat, Ayah 56

And regarding worshipping Allah alone, He (may He be glorified and exalted) says:

إِنَّنِىٓ أَنَا ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱعْبُدْنِى وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِذِكْرِىٓ

“It is truly I. I am Allah! There is no god (worthy of worship) except Me. So, worship Me (alone), and establish prayer for My remembrance.”

[Surah Al-Taha, Ayah 14]

The Purpose of Existence and Its Rewards

One of the key words in the above verse is “alone”, meaning that we consider and accept Him (may He be glorified and exalted) as the most important facet of our lives and that we judge ourselves and contemplate the reason for our existence and everything surrounding us in accordance with the criterion that He سبحانه و تعالى has revealed and taught. Whenever we deviate and fail to fulfill this sole core purpose, we tend to find our hearts lost, confused and wallowing in pain, sadness and sin.

For example, a pen has been created and designed to write and that is its sole purpose; no matter how pretty looking or expensive it is, it has no value and no practical use if it stops working. Putting it aside or getting rid of it completely is what we humans do with such a useless pen. But Allah’s patience and His mercy for us is immeasurable and expansive to an extent that He has given us time until the epilogue of our lives to try to fulfill that purpose and thus prove our worth and gain entry into Jannah.

“Worshipping Allah سبحانه و تعالى” encompasses obeying His commands, following the way that He taught us through the examples of His Prophets, seeking His help, believing in Him, relying on Him, trusting Him and His decisions and decree. This worship actually benefits, nurtures, and strengthens our souls, bodies and hearts and is the most essential nutriment for our peaceful survival. Without this worship, we tend to foist ourselves with traps, temptations, calamities, sadness, weakness, lack of contentment, emptiness, anxiety, depression, and eventually the sense of failure.

Whenever we feel failure, hardships or emptiness looming over heads, we should ask ourselves whether we are fulfilling our true purpose in life, and what sins or distractions have we knowingly or unknowingly fallen into. By annihilating the things that displeases Allah سبحانه و تعالى, striving to please Him, attaining His approval (ridah), and aiming to enter the paradise (Jannah), we will be able to set our footsteps back on track once again; on the straight path, In sha Allah. Worshipping Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) is a solace to those who find it difficult during times of distress and sadness. But there are numerous great blessings to be gained if one does it. These blessings can only be fully attained through worshipping Allah in the rightful way, and are essential for every human who wishes to live a fulfilling and a happy life. Worship (Ibaadah) is the most crucial aspect to attain a balanced life and healing to a distressed heart.

Conclusion

Worshipping Allah سبحانه و تعالى in accordance with the Sunnah of His Messenger ﷺ is more than a duty, it is the lifeline that restores balance and heals the heart. By fulfilling our purpose of creation, we find solace, strength, and a peace that transcends worldly turmoil, rooted in His mercy and guidance.

May Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) guide us to worship Him sincerely and correctly, granting us His approval and the tranquility of a heart aligned with His will. Let us strive to walk the path of His Prophet ﷺ, for in it lies our salvation and serenity.

The post Worshipping Allah rightly : the souls path to peace appeared first on Rahat-lil-Qalb.

The Power of constant zikr of Allah

Shaikh Subhan Madni — Mon, 05 May 2025 04:46:21 +0000

Allah سبحانه و تعالى commands us in the Glorious Qur’an:

يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اذۡكُرُوۡا اللّٰهَ ذِكۡرًا كَثِيۡرًا

“O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance.”

(Surah Al-Ahzab, Ayah 41)

Many people today seem to have everything, money, good health and success, yet still feel something is missing. There’s this emptiness inside, a restlessness that doesn’t go away, no matter how much they achieve. Why is that? Why don’t material comforts bring lasting peace?

The truth is, the heart needs more than just worldly success. It craves something deeper. And the Quran gives us the answer:

اَلَا بِذِكۡرِ اللّٰهِ تَطۡمَٮِٕنُّ الۡقُلُوۡبُ

“Truly, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find peace.” .

(Surah Ar-Ra’d, Ayah 28)

In this article, we’ll explore how the Zikr (remembrance) of Allah سبحانه و تعالى brings real peace… peace that lasts. Zikr isn’t just about repeating words; it’s about staying connected to Allah, finding comfort in Him, and letting His guidance shape our hearts. When we make Zikr a part of our daily lives, it changes the way we see things. It helps us handle struggles with patience, appreciate blessings with gratitude, and face life with unshakable faith

What is Zikr?

The Arabic word ‘Zikr’ means remembrance, and it usually refers to the Remembrance of Allah سبحانه و تعالى . Zikr is an all-embracing term that, in addition to including the ritual acts of worship it covers an array of activities of the tongue and the heart. It involves thinking and mentioning Allah سبحانه و تعالى perpetually and in all quarters of our lives. This is a form of worship which is not time-specific, but it has to be performed round the clock in order to permanently link one’s life with Allah سبحانه و تعالى and His service. A believer must constantly remember Allah سبحانه و تعالى because its fruits are way sweeter than what we can possibly imagine of, and the importance of constantly remembering Allah سبحانه و تعالى cannot be emphasized enough, particularly if we desire to be on the receiving end of Allah’s سبحانه و تعالى Attention, Grace and Mercy.

The Importance of Zikr

Allah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Glorious Qur’an:

فَاذۡكُرُوۡنِىۡٓ اَذۡكُرۡكُمۡ وَاشۡکُرُوۡا لِىۡ وَلَا تَكۡفُرُوۡنِ

Remember Me; I will remember you. And thank Me, and never be ungrateful.

(Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 152)

Further in the Glorious Qur’an Allah سبحانه و تعالى says

فَاِذَا قَضَيۡتُمُ الصَّلٰوةَ فَاذۡكُرُوا اللّٰهَ قِيَامًا وَّقُعُوۡدًا وَّعَلٰى جُنُوۡبِكُمۡ

When the prayers are over, remember Allah—whether you are standing, sitting, or lying down.

(Surah An-Nisa, Ayah 103)

One of the benefits of remembering Allah سبحانه و تعالى is that as long as a believer remembers Allah, he is continuously in a state of prayer, whether he is standing, sitting or lying in bed.

Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه reported Allah’s Messenger ﷺ as stating that:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ: أَنَا مَعَ عَبْدِي إِذَا ذَكَرَنِي وتحركتبِي شفتاه

Allah says: “I am with my servant when he remembers me and his lips move making mention of me.”

(Mishkaat al Masaabih, Hadith 2285)

Imagine the degree of honor that Allah سبحانه و تعالى is trying to give us when He says that He is with His loyal and sincere servant when he remembers Him. When a servant remembers Allah سبحانه و تعالى , his Lord too will remember him. Beyond doubt, when Allah سبحانه و تعالى remembers someone, it will entail many benefits for him. This means that the more we engage in Zikr, the closer we become to Allah سبحانه و تعالى , benefiting from His mercy and guidance.

Zikr is the Best Deed

Jabir ibn Abdullah رضي الله عنه reported: Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said,

عنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَا عَمِلَ آدَمِيٌّ عَمَلا أَنْجَى لَهُ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ مِنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ

The son of Adam never acts with a deed better to save him from the punishment of Allah than with the remembrance of Allah.

(al-Mu’jam al-Awsaṭ lil-Ṭabaraani, Hadith 2296)

This highlights how Zikr is a shield against punishment and a means of immense reward.

There are many verses in the Glorious Qur’an and a numerous amount of Ahadiths in this relation but to sum it up, we need to remember Allah سبحانه و تعالى at all times because it is essential for us. Forgetting or being careless about His remembrance is something Allah سبحانه و تعالى has forbidden in the Glorious Qur’an.

Being Heedless In Zikr and The Consequences of Forgetting Allah سبحانه و تعالى

Allah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Glorious Qur’an:

وَاذۡكُرْ رَّبَّكَ فِىۡ نَفۡسِكَ تَضَرُّعًا وَّخِيۡفَةً وَّدُوۡنَ الۡجَـهۡرِ مِنَ الۡقَوۡلِ بِالۡغُدُوِّ وَالۡاٰصَالِ وَلَا تَكُنۡ مِّنَ الۡغٰفِلِيۡنَ

Remember your Lord inwardly with humility and reverence and in a moderate tone of voice, both morning and evening. And do not be one of the heedless.

(Surah Al-A’raf, Ayah 205)

As human beings we have tendency to make mistakes and most importantly, forget about the signs of Allah سبحانه و تعالى We tend to forget how Allah سبحانه و تعالى is eagerly waiting for us to communicate with Him and be successful in this life and the next. But despite of our forgetfulness, weakness and hastiness Allah سبحانه و تعالى continuously reminds us about the benefits of remembering Him and also reminds us about the detriments of not remembering Him.

Regarding heedlessness, Allah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Glorious Qur’an:

اِنَّ فِى اخۡتِلَافِ الَّيۡلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَمَا خَلَقَ اللّٰهُ فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضِ لَاٰيٰتٍ لِّـقَوۡمٍ يَّتَّقُوۡنَ

اِنَّ الَّذِيۡنَ لَا يَرۡجُوۡنَ لِقَآءَنَا وَرَضُوۡا بِالۡحَيٰوةِ الدُّنۡيَا وَاطۡمَاَنُّوۡا بِهَا وَالَّذِيۡنَ هُمۡ عَنۡ اٰيٰتِنَا غٰفِلُوۡنَۙ

اُولٰٓٮِٕكَ مَاۡوٰٮهُمُ النَّارُ بِمَا كَانُوۡا يَكۡسِبُوۡنَ

Most surely in the variation of the night and the day, and what Allah has created in the heavens and the earth, there are signs for people who guard (against evil). Surely those who do not hope in Our meeting and are pleased with this world’s life and are content with it, and those who are heedless of our communication; (as for) those, their abode is the fire because of what they earned.

(Surah Yunus, Ayah 6-8)

Acquiring peace of mind and heart, in today’s time, has become as scarce as hen’s teeth. And one of the reasons for this is probably because we all have indulged ourselves in things which are insignificant. We spend our time enjoying worldly things instead of remembering the One who created us to worship Him. Remembering Allah سبحانه و تعالى has its benefits in providing peace and comfort to our hearts as Allah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Glorious Qur’an

اَلَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَتَطۡمَٮِٕنُّ قُلُوۡبُهُمۡ بِذِكۡرِ اللّٰهِ ؕ اَلَا بِذِكۡرِ اللّٰهِ تَطۡمَٮِٕنُّ الۡقُلُوۡبُ ؕ

Those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.

(Surah Ar-Ra’d, Ayah 28)

The perfect and the finest thing to do to attain peace of heart and mind, happiness and tranquility is by the remembrance of Allah سبحانه و تعالى. On the contrary, if one does not remember Allah, then there will be no peace, tranquility or happiness of the heart.

Allah سبحانه و تعالى warns us about neglecting His remembrance:

وَمَنۡ اَعۡرَضَ عَنۡ ذِكۡرِىۡ فَاِنَّ لَـهٗ مَعِيۡشَةً ضَنۡكًا وَّنَحۡشُرُهٗ يَوۡمَ الۡقِيٰمَةِ اَعۡمٰى

But whoever turns away from My Reminder will certainly have a miserable life, then We will raise them up blind on the Day of Judgment.

(Surah Ta-Ha, Ayah 124)

Heedlessness leads to hardship, anxiety, and a void in the heart that nothing in this world can fill. True contentment lies in remembering Allah.Turning away from the remembrance of Allah سبحانه و تعالى will have such a ramification which will unquestionably lead to a life of hardship. As such, we must enact upon this reminder and remember Allah سبحانه و تعالى as much as possible.

How to Remember Allah سبحانه و تعالى ?

Zikr is not confined to the tongue; it should reflect in our hearts and actions:

1. With the Tongue – Saying Tasbeeh (Subhan Allah), Tahmeed (Al-hamdu Lillah), Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar), Tahlil (Laa Ilaaha Illallaah), Istighfar, recitation of Qur’an, and the daily Azkaar taught by the Prophet ﷺ [Refer to Hisnul Muslim (Fortress of the Muslim)]

2. With the Heart – By confessing and acknowledging His Blessings upon us, having sincere Tawakkul, being happy with what He has predestined for us, and pondering and contemplating about the Creator of the heavens and the earth and whatever lies in between them.

3. Through Actions – Performing good deeds such as Salaah, fasting, charity, Hajj and living according to Allah’s commands.

Zikr is a means of blessings and reward from Allah سبحانه و تعالى and also results in peace of mind. It is vital for our salvation that we remember Allah سبحانه و تعالى at all times, both in private and when amongst people. The men and women who remember Allah سبحانه و تعالى have been specially mentioned in the Qur’an amongst the categories of people that are dear to Allah.

إِنَّ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ وَٱلْمُسْلِمَـٰتِ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ وَٱلْقَـٰنِتِينَ وَٱلْقَـٰنِتَـٰتِ وَٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ وَٱلصَّـٰدِقَـٰتِ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرَٰتِ وَٱلْخَـٰشِعِينَ وَٱلْخَـٰشِعَـٰتِ وَٱلْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَٱلْمُتَصَدِّقَـٰتِ وَٱلصَّـٰٓئِمِينَ وَٱلصَّـٰٓئِمَـٰتِ وَٱلْحَـٰفِظِينَ فُرُوجَهُمْ وَٱلْحَـٰفِظَـٰتِ وَٱلذَّٰكِرِينَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًۭا وَٱلذَّٰكِرَٰتِ أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةًۭ وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًۭا

Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so – for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.

(Surah Ahzab, Ayah 35)

Conclusion

Zikr is the key to closeness with Allah سبحانه و تعالى , peace of heart, protection from punishment, and success in both the worlds. We must strive to make Zikr an essential part of our lives so that we can earn Allah’s سبحانه و تعالى love, mercy, and ultimate reward – Jannah.

May Allah سبحانه و تعالى make us among those who remember Him often. Aameen.

The post The Power of constant zikr of Allah appeared first on Rahat-lil-Qalb.

Finding peace through du’a

Shaikh Subhan Madni — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:30:47 +0000

These days, we’re surrounded by everything, money, opportunities, social media, the latest gadgets…you name it. But still, so many of us don’t feel okay. Our minds are filled with stress, our hearts feel heavy, and deep down, there’s this emptiness that just won’t go away. Even people who seem to have it all, good jobs, nice homes, a comfortable life will quietly admit they still feel like something’s missing.

The truth is, real peace, the kind that settles your heart and gives you clarity, it doesn’t come from what you own or how perfect life looks on the outside. It comes from something much deeper. In Islam, one of the most beautiful and powerful ways to find that peace is through Du’a.

Du’a isn’t about fancy words or just asking for things. It’s you opening up your heart and speaking to the One who created you. Whether you’re struggling, grateful, scared, or just need someone to listen, Du’a is your safe space. It’s that quiet moment where it’s just you and Allah سبحانه و تعالى . No filters, no pressure. Just pure, honest connection. And in that connection, that’s where peace begins.

Du'a: A Direct Line to the Creator

Du’a is one of the most important tools and an aid which Allah سبحانه و تعالى has given us. It’s an immensely personal means for us to communicate and connect with the Almighty. A Du’a is our conversation with our Creator, the relay of our thoughts and words to Him. We can use any words, ask for anything good, for ourselves or for anyone else, in this life and the Hereafter. It has been described as the essence of worship, for by turning to Allah سبحانه و تعالى we are affirming that He alone has the power to grant or deny our wishes, desires, hopes and ambitions. Du’a does not require eloquence. Even if a person cannot express himself properly, one should know that Allah سبحانه و تعالى understands the whisper of the heart. So you may cry, remain silent, or even make Du’a with your eyes, and remember that Allah سبحانه و تعالى knows what you are asking for. What matters is the sincerity of the heart. It doesn’t take much to realise how blessed we are as Muslims, for Allah سبحانه و تعالى has allowed us to have a direct and an open communication with Him interminably, with absolutely no mediator or an agent in between.

As Muslims, we have two main ways of communicating with Allah سبحانه و تعالى. The first way is through Salaah, the five obligatory daily prayers. These prayers have certain conditions that must be fulfilled for our prayers to be sound and valid. The second way of communicating with Allah سبحانه و تعالى is by making Du’a. This is a huge mercy from Allah سبحانه و تعالى

Du’a The Essence of Worship

Du’a isn’t just a part of Ibaadah (worship)… it is Ibaadah.

The Prophet ﷺ emphasized this profound truth in clear words:

الدُّعَاءُ هُوَ الْعِبَادَةُ

The supplication, is worship.

Then he recited :

‏وقالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ

And Your Lord said: “Call upon me, I will respond to you. Verily, those who scorn My worship, they will surely enter Hell humiliated.

(Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3372)

These powerful statement teaches us that making Du’a is not a side act; it’s the very heart of our relationship with Allah سبحانه و تعالى . Why? Because when you make Du’a, you:

1. Acknowledge Allah’s سبحانه و تعالى power and mercy

2. Show your dependence on Him alone

3. Express your humility and submission

Du’a isn’t just about asking, it is an act of ‘ubudiyyah (servitude). The more we call upon Allah سبحانه و تعالى , the more we live the reality of

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help..

(Surah Fatihah, Ayah 5)

Du'a – The Weapon of the Believer

From the above mentioned Hadith it can be ferreted out that supplication is a weapon of a believer. It is a form of worship which a believer upholds during good or bad times. An essential ingredient in this aspect is to constantly supplicate when we are in a good situation so that we may be answered when we are in a state of chaos, confusion and distress. Du’a is more than words; it is the weapon of the believer. It arms the soul with hope, shields the heart from despair, and connects the servant to the Lord of the heavens and the earth. Whether in times of ease or hardship, a believer never puts down this weapon. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to remember Allah سبحانه و تعالى in times of ease so that He remembers us in times of hardship.

Allah سبحانه و تعالى says:

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ٱدْعُونِىٓ أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِى سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دَاخِرِينَ

And your Lord says, “Make Du’a before Me, I will accept for you. Verily, those who disdain My worship surely will enter the hellfire contemptible.

(Surah Ghaafir, Ayah 60)

This verse is revealing to us how Allah سبحانه و تعالى will accept every single one of our Du’as. The word “will” in this verse should give us a zest of confidence. After all, Allah سبحانه و تعالى is Al-Qaadir. There is nothing that surpasses Allah’s سبحانه و تعالى power. Allah سبحانه و تعالى can make even the impossible happen.

A Du’a can have a swarm of purposes. It can be empowering, uplifting and transformational. We must make Du’a to not only call upon the Almighty in our times of need or to express our thanks for what He has given us, but to channel our emotions, our spirituality and our desires because ultimately, we are expressing our humble submission to Him and Him alone, and our need for Him

The Importance of Patience and Persistence

Making humble and constant Du’a is the key. And keeping away from sins and acts of disobedience is an utmost necessity, as these have a bad effect on the tranquility and peace of heart and mind. We have to constantly make Du’a and make sure that we do not despair if we do not notice that our supplication is answered.

The Prophetﷺ said:

يُسْتَجَابُ لأَحَدِكُمْ مَا لَمْ يَعْجَلْ فَيَقُولُ قَدْ دَعَوْتُ فَلاَ أَوْ فَلَمْ يُسْتَجَبْ لِي

The supplication of one of you is granted if he does not grow impatient and say- I supplicated my Lord but it was not granted.

(Saheeh al Muslim, Hadith 2735)

In another narration the Prophet ﷺsaid,

لاَ يَزَالُ يُسْتَجَابُ لِلْعَبْدِ مَا لَمْ يَدْعُ بِإِثْمٍ أَوْ قَطِيعَةِ رَحِمٍ مَا لَمْ يَسْتَعْجِلْ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا الاِسْتِعْجَالُ قَالَ ‏”‏ يَقُولُ قَدْ دَعَوْتُ وَقَدْ دَعَوْتُ فَلَمْ أَرَ يَسْتَجِيبُ لِي فَيَسْتَحْسِرُ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ وَيَدَعُ الدُّعَاءَ ‏

The supplication of the servant is granted in case he does not supplicate for sin or for severing the ties of blood, or he does not become impatient. It was said: Allah’s Messenger, what does:” If he does not grow impatient” imply? He said: That he should say like this: I supplicated and I supplicated but I did not find it being responded. and theu he becomes frustrated and abandons supplication.

(Saheeh al Muslim, Hadith 2735)

Allah’s سبحانه و تعالى Generosity in Accepting Du’a

By allowing us to make Du’a to Him, Allah سبحانه و تعالى has given us a direct helpline to speak to Him, literally whenever we want. Think of how merciful and generous Allah سبحانه و تعالى is. Who else should we go to with our needs, concerns and distress other than the One who can solve all our problems in the blink of an eye if He chooses to?

We must always remember that Allah سبحانه و تعالى loves to give to us. He is Al-Kareem.

Messenger of Allah ﷺ سبحانه و تعالى said:

إِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى حَيِيٌّ كَرِيمٌ يَسْتَحْيِي مِنْ عَبْدِهِ إِذَا رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ إِلَيْهِ أَنْ يَرُدَّهُمَا صِفْرًا

Your Lord is munificent and generous, and is ashamed to turn away empty the hands of His servant when he raises them to Him.

(Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith 1488)

Du’a Can Change Destiny

Furthermore, Du’as hold so much power in and of themselves because they can change Qadr (Divine Destiny). Our Prophet ﷺ told us that,

لاَ يَرُدُّ الْقَضَاءَ إِلاَّ الدُّعَاءُ

Nothing can change the Divine decree except Du’a.

(Sunan at Tirmidhi, Hadith 2139)

Although Allah سبحانه و تعالى has written everything in the al-Lawh al-Mahfuz (Preserved Tablet). He has also allowed for things to change through Du’a. This is a powerful motivation to keep making Du’a, as it can change what was previously destined to happen.

The Sweetness and Power of Du'a

Finally, it is crucial to mention that there is a sweetness that comes from making Du’a and only people who frequently make Du’a will be able to taste that sweetness. So my dear brothers and sisters, we have to supplicate, for supplication is one of the greatest weapons of the Muslims. In order to strengthen one’s Imaan and attain the peace of mind and heart, one should also seek help from Allah سبحانه و تعالى through sincere and frequent Du’a. Let us not think about questions like when will Allah’s سبحانه و تعالى help come? Or When will Allah سبحانه و تعالى help us and accept our Du’as?

What Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah سبحانه و تعالى be pleased with him) has said regarding this topic will indeed help us understand the concept of making Du’a and waiting for it to be answered. It was reported that Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah سبحانه و تعالى be pleased with him), one of the closest Companions of the Prophet ﷺ said:

“I am not worried about whether my Du’a will be responded to, but rather I am worried about whether I will be able to make Du’a or not. So if I have been guided (by Allah سبحانه و تعالى) then (I know) that the response will come with it).”

The Blessing of Being Guided to Supplicate

We must try to understand and remember that whenever Allah سبحانه و تعالى allows our tongue to move in asking him something, it means that He wants to give us something. There is no situation in which Allah سبحانه و تعالى will give us guidance (Tawfeeq) and success to be able to make this Du’a except that Allah سبحانه و تعالى wants to answer that Du’a for us. Therefore, we must not concern ourselves with the way our Du’a is going to be answered but we should only be concerned for the ability to make the Du’a in the first place. It’s a great blessing from Allah سبحانه و تعالى that we are driven to the ability to call upon Him. So, let’s not waste and ignore this blessing that Allah سبحانه و تعالى has bestowed upon us. My dear brothers and sisters, let’s be thankful to Allah سبحانه و تعالى and never stop making Du’a to Him and never fall back in asking for His Grace, Mercy and assistance. The Sahabaa (may Allah سبحانه و تعالى be pleased with them) used to make Du’a for the smallest of things. They used to even ask Allah سبحانه و تعالى for salt for their food.

Prophetic Teachings on the Scope of Du'a

Prophet ﷺ said:

لِيَسْأَلْ أَحَدُكُمْ رَبَّهُ حَاجَتَهُ حَتَّى يَسْأَلَهُ الْمِلْحَ وَحَتَّى يَسْأَلَهُ شِسْعَ نَعْلِهِ إِذَا انْقَطَعَ

Let one of you ask his Lord for his every need, even until he asks Him for the strap of his sandal when it breaks.

(Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3604)

This teaches us that nothing is too big or small to ask Allah سبحانه و تعالى for. We have to think good of Allah سبحانه و تعالى at any cost that He will for sure answer our call and bless us with the best in this world and in the next. But we must also realize that Allah سبحانه و تعالى answers the person according to his assumption about Him.

RasoolAllah ﷺ said:

(Saheeh al Bukhari, Hadith 7405)

Du'a in Times of Distress - Words from the Prophet ﷺ

Apart from all the above mentioned things, Prophet ﷺ even taught us what words to say at times of distress, sadness and chaos. Among them are:

Hudhayfah (may Allah سبحانه و تعالى be pleased with him) narrated that “When anything distressed the Prophet ﷺ he prayed.”

(Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith 1319)

Ibn `Abbas (may Allah سبحانه و تعالى be pleased with him) narrated that: The Prophet ﷺ used to invoke Allah سبحانه و تعالى at the time of distress, saying,

لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ الْعَظِيمُ الْحَلِيمُ

La ilaha illal-lahu Al-`Azim, al- Haleem

لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ رَبُّ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ

La ilaha illal-lahu Rabbu-s-samawati wal-ard

رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ

wa Rabbu-l-arsh il-azim.

(Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Hadith 6345)

It was narrated that Asma’ bint ‘Umais said: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ سبحانه و تعالى taught me some words to say at times of distress:

اللَّهُ اللَّهُ رَبِّي لاَ أُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا

Allah! Allahu Rabbi la ushriku bihi shay’an (Allah, Allah is my Lord, I do not associate anything with Him)

(Sunan ibn Majah, Hadith 3882)

Anas bin Malik (may Allah سبحانه و تعالى be pleased with him) narrated that: “Whenever a matter would distress him, the Prophet ﷺ would say:

يَا حَىُّ يَا قَيُّومُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيثُ

Ya Ḥayyu yaa Qayyoom, bi-raḥmatika astagheeth (‘O Living, O Self-Sustaining Sustainer! In Your Mercy do I seek relief)

He ﷺ said: “Be constant with:

يَا ذَا الْجَلاَلِ وَالإِكْرَامِ

Yaa Dhal-Jalaali wal-Ikraam (O Possessor of Majesty and Honor)

(Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3524)

Trusting Allah’s سبحانه و تعالى Wisdom and Timing

My dear brothers and sisters, try it, let’s be patient and consistent. There is nothing that Allah سبحانه و تعالى does not want us to have, which is good for us. The only things that He is keeping away from us are those which are either of no or little good to us in this world and the Hereafter. Sometimes, He keeps things at a distance from us, while He wants to test our patience and only wants to beautify the reward for us. This delay is not only a trial, but also it is a means of our preparation. Sometimes we think that we can handle somethings, but only Allah سبحانه و تعالى knows what we can handle and not. Let’s trust His wisdom. He knows us more than what we will ever know ourselves.

The Foundation of Belief in Du'a

Let’s keep making Du’a and ask for things that are important to you and we shall see how things around us change. We may not see the results immediately, but things will be falling in their place, In sha Allah سبحانه و تعالى . We will see things which were difficult before getting easy, tight shut doors opening up, peace and contentment.

The most important pre-requisite for Du’a or act of worship is Imaan. With Allah’s سبحانه و تعالى help let’s sow the seed of belief so deep in our hearts, that nothing disrupts or uproots it. No calamity, not any number of trials should be strong enough to shake our lives, if we truly believe in Allah سبحانه و تعالى. We must believe that Allah سبحانه و تعالى loves us and wants only the best for us. Let’s be sincere in our faith and remember that our Creator is the Most Merciful, He سبحانه و تعالى is Just and is not unfair to any living soul.

Conclusion

Lastly, I would like remind us all about a hadith in which Allah سبحانه و تعالى has shown His immense mercy for this Ummah.

Abu Huraira (may Allah سبحانه و تعالى be pleased with him) reported Allah’s سبحانه و تعالى Messenger ﷺ as saying:

يَنْزِلُ اللَّهُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ حِينَ يَمْضِي ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ الأَوَّلُ فَيَقُولُ أَنَا الْمَلِكُ أَنَا الْمَلِكُ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَدْعُونِي فَأَسْتَجِيبَ لَهُ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَسْأَلُنِي فَأُعْطِيَهُ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَسْتَغْفِرُنِي فَأَغْفِرَ لَهُ فَلاَ يَزَالُ كَذَلِكَ حَتَّى يُضِيءَ الْفَجْرُ

Allah descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the first part of the night is over and says: I am the Lord; I am the Lord: who is there to supplicate Me so that I answer him? Who is there to beg of Me so that I grant him? Who is there to beg forgiveness from Me so that I forgive him? He continues like this till the day breaks.

(Saheeh Muslim, Hadith 758)

Du’a is not just a means to get what we want, it is the bridge that connects our heart to the One who knows what we need. When practiced consistently and sincerely, Du’a becomes a lifeline, especially in times when life feels heavy and peace feels distant.

Through Du’a we anchor our hearts to As-Salaam (Allah سبحانه و تعالى) – The Giver and Source of Peace. And when the heart is anchored, no storm can truly shake us. If you have everything, but feel like you have nothing, make Du’a. Because in that conversation lies the beginning of peace.

May Allah سبحانه و تعالى grant us all the Tawfeeq (guidance) and the ability to make Du’a. May Allah سبحانه و تعالى make us amongst the ones who are patient believers.

The post Finding peace through du’a appeared first on Rahat-lil-Qalb.

Gratitude to Allah : The heart’s path to peace

Shaikh Subhan Madni — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 08:02:12 +0000

In a world filled with uncertainty and complexity, many possess material wealth and health yet lack the peace of mind and heart that brings true contentment. The Glorious Qur’an teaches that “Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find peace” [Surah Al-Ra’d, Ayah 28], pointing us toward a deeper, lasting tranquility. Among the many paths to this peace, gratitude to Allah سبحانه و تعالى stands out as a transformative practice. By recognizing and appreciating His countless blessings, we shift our perspective from emptiness to fulfillment, anchoring our hearts in a state of serenity that endures life’s trials.

The Essence of Gratitude in Islam

Being thankful and showing gratitude means reciprocating kindness, being humble and sincere, and giving praise to the one who has done good and kind things. Everything we have and everything we get is from our Provider and our Sustainer, Allah سبحانه و تعالى . This is the reality of our existence, a fact that we cannot deny after entering into the fold of Islam. Allah سبحانه و تعالى has bestowed us with countless blessings, both big and small. It is only right that we be grateful to Allah سبحانه و تعالى for all that He has done for us. And being grateful does not mean that we keep on saying meaningless ‘thank you’, but rather it’s an attitude that we need to develop, it’s a lifestyle and a way of thinking.

Human Ingratitude: A Qur’anic Reflection

Every moment of our lives is part of an ongoing chain of Allah’s سبحانه و تعالى countless gifts. Many of us due to our outlook on life or our circumstances, fail to see that we are receiving unimaginable and uncountable bounties and blessings from our Creator. We fail to realize that for even the tiniest of the affairs we depend on Allah سبحانه و تعالى at all times. Allah سبحانه و تعالى has made it clear that we will never be able to count all of His blessings upon us, since they are innumerable. But we as human race are truly unfair, totally ungrateful and forgetful creatures. The only time we call upon or remember Allah سبحانه و تعالى is the time when we are in a serious problem or when we are unable to find solutions for our problems. We often fall short in giving this right to Allah سبحانه و تعالى which He truly and solely deserves. At times, when we are enjoying the blessings of Allah سبحانه و تعالى we tend to forget Him but when a small problem befalls upon us, we start calling upon him with everything we have. This statement is found in the Glorious Qur’an, emphasizing humanity’s ungratefulness and heedlessness of Allah’s سبحانه و تعالى blessings. Allah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Glorious Qur’an:

وَءَاتَىٰكُم مِّن كُلِّ مَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَإِن تَعُدُّوا۟ نِعْمَتَ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَآ ۗ إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ لَظَلُومٌۭ كَفَّارٌۭ

And He has granted you all that you asked Him for. If you tried to count Allah’s blessings, you would never be able to number them. Indeed, mankind is [generally] most unjust and ungrateful.

(Surah Ibrahim, Ayah 34)

Allah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Surah Yunus

وَإِذَا مَسَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ ٱلضُّرُّ دَعَانَا لِجَنۢبِهِۦٓ أَوْ قَاعِدًا أَوْ قَآئِمًۭا فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُ ضُرَّهُۥ مَرَّ كَأَن لَّمْ يَدْعُنَآ إِلَىٰ ضُرٍّۢ مَّسَّهُۥ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِلْمُسْرِفِينَ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ١٢

Whenever someone is touched by hardship, they cry out to Us, whether lying on their side, sitting, or standing. But when We relieve their hardship, they return to their old ways as if they had never cried to Us to remove any hardship! This is how the misdeeds of the transgressors have been made appealing to them.

(Surah Yunus, Ayah 12)

Furthermore, Allah سبحانه و تعالى says

وَمَا بِكُمۡ مِّنۡ نّـِعۡمَةٍ فَمِنَ اللّٰهِ ثُمَّ اِذَا مَسَّكُمُ الضُّرُّ فَاِلَيۡهِ تَجْئَرُوۡنَۚ ٥٣

ثُمَّ اِذَا كَشَفَ الضُّرَّ عَنۡكُمۡ اِذَا فَرِيۡقٌ مِّنۡكُمۡ بِرَبِّهِمۡ يُشۡرِكُوۡنَۙ ٥٤

لِيَكۡفُرُوۡا بِمَاۤ اٰتَيۡنٰهُمۡؕ فَتَمَتَّعُوۡا فَسَوۡفَ تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ

And whatever you have of favor – it is from Allah. Then when adversity touches you, to Him you cry for help. Then when He removes the adversity from you, at once a party of you associates others with their Lord. So they will deny what We have given them. Then enjoy yourselves, for you are going to know.

(Surah An-Nahl, Ayah 53-55)

The Infinite Blessings of Allah

Consider our body for an instance. It’s made up of one hundred trillion cells. Each cell is a blessing from Allah سبحانه و تعالى But this does not mean that there are only one hundred trillion blessings in the human body. There are far more in number, since Allah’s سبحانه و تعالى blessings manifest themselves within each one of those cells in innumerable ways. Moreover, each cell is exposed to an incalculable number of potential threats, from viruses to cancer to a variety of malfunctions, and Allah سبحانه و تعالى through His Mercy, protects the cells from all of these. Therefore, we can never get down to enumerate the blessings that Allah سبحانه و تعالى bestows upon us at every moment.

Even if we entertain the thought and the idea that the blessings that Allah سبحانه و تعالى bestows upon any one of us is some finite number, that number would not take into account all of the misfortunes that Allah سبحانه و تعالى withholds from us, though He certainly tries some of His servants with those misfortunes. Then there are all the blessings that Allah سبحانه و تعالى has bestowed upon our predecessors, our contemporaries, and our descendants and on the incalculable aspects of creation upon which our lives depend.

Allah سبحانه و تعالى reminds us and says:

وَمَا بِكُم مِّن نِّعْمَةٍۢ فَمِنَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ ثُمَّ إِذَا مَسَّكُمُ ٱلضُّرُّ فَإِلَيْهِ تَجْـَٔرُونَ ٥٣

And whatever you have of favor – it is from Allah. Then when adversity touches you, to Him you cry for help.

(Surah An-Nahl, Ayah 53)

Gratitude as an Act of Worship

We should look at ourselves and the way we behave towards Allah’s سبحانه و تعالى blessings. Do we use them in obedience to His commands? Do we realize that Allah سبحانه و تعالى has a right over us in everything that He gives us? If we are blessed with wealth, the poor have a right in it. If we are blessed with health and strength, the weak and the infirm have a right in it. If we are blessed with knowledge, then those who are in want of knowledge have a right in it. Every ability we are blessed with carries a right for those who are unable.

We must thank Allah سبحانه و تعالى for enabling us to do what others cannot. An essential part of our gratitude to Him is to give from what He has blessed us with to those who are unable to support themselves. We should remember that every blessing we enjoy will inevitably come to an end. Either we will lose the blessing some day in our lives or we will depart this life and leave that blessing behind. But we must remember as well that Allah سبحانه و تعالى will surely increase the blessings for us if we are thankful to Him.

Allah سبحانه و تعالى says:

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِى لَشَدِيدٌۭ

And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed, “If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more. But if you are ungrateful, surely My punishment is severe.

(Surah Ibraheem, Ayah 7)

Over and above, a part of our gratitude to Allah سبحانه و تعالى is to serve Him with what He gives us and to use what we have in ways that are lawful and pleasing to Him. We should not be like Qaaroon. Some wise people advised him by saying:

۞ إِنَّ قَـٰرُونَ كَانَ مِن قَوْمِ مُوسَىٰ فَبَغَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ مِنَ ٱلْكُنُوزِ مَآ إِنَّ مَفَاتِحَهُۥ لَتَنُوٓأُ بِٱلْعُصْبَةِ أُو۟لِى ٱلْقُوَّةِ إِذْ قَالَ لَهُۥ قَوْمُهُۥ لَا تَفْرَحْ ۖ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْفَرِحِينَ ٧٦

Indeed, Qaaroon was from the people of Moosa, but he behaved arrogantly towards them. We had granted him such treasures that even their keys would burden a group of strong men. Some of his people advised him, “Do not be prideful! Surely Allah does not like the prideful.

(Surah Al-Qasas, Ayah 76)

Qaaroon replied to them and said:

قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُۥ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ عِندِىٓ ۚ أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدْ أَهْلَكَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ مَنْ هُوَ أَشَدُّ مِنْهُ قُوَّةًۭ وَأَكْثَرُ جَمْعًۭا ۚ وَلَا يُسْـَٔلُ عَن ذُنُوبِهِمُ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ ٧٨

He said: “This has been given to me only because of the knowledge I possess.” Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him generations, men who were stronger than him in might and greater in the amount (of riches) they had collected? But the Mujrimoon (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) will not be questioned of their sins (because Allah knows them well, so they will be punished without being called to account).

(Surah Al-Qasas, Ayah 78)

We often do not notice or even consider a blessing that we have until we lose that blessing or are threatened with its loss. How many blessings, benefits and bounties do we take in for granted? How many blessings surround us in our families, our friends, our work, the status we enjoy, the connections we have, even our hopes and our dreams? Even this planet in which we live is a blessing, how it possesses everything needed for life to thrive.

Allah’s Call to Thankfulness

Allah سبحانه و تعالى has mentioned some of the blessings that He has bestowed upon His slaves, and has commanded them to be grateful for what He has bestowed upon them, and has informed us that only a handful of them give thanks to Him. Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُلُوا۟ مِن طَيِّبَـٰتِ مَا رَزَقْنَـٰكُمْ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لِلَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ

O you who have believed, eat from the good [i.e., lawful] things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is [indeed] Him that you worship.

(Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 172)

وَلَقَدْ مَكَّنَّـٰكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَجَعَلْنَا لَكُمْ فِيهَا مَعَـٰيِشَ ۗ قَلِيلًۭا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ

And surely, We gave you authority on the earth and appointed for you therein provisions (for your life). Little thanks do you give.

(Surah Al- A’raf, Ayah 10)

وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦٓ أَن يُرْسِلَ ٱلرِّيَاحَ مُبَشِّرَٰتٍۢ وَلِيُذِيقَكُم مِّن رَّحْمَتِهِۦ وَلِتَجْرِىَ ٱلْفُلْكُ بِأَمْرِهِۦ وَلِتَبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ٤٦

And among His Signs is this, that He sends the winds as glad tidings, giving you a taste of His Mercy (i.e. rain), and that the ships may sail at His Command, and that you may seek of His Bounty, in order that you may be thankful.

(Surah Ar-Room, Ayah 46)

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ فَٱغْسِلُوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْمَرَافِقِ وَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْكَعْبَيْنِ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًۭا فَٱطَّهَّرُوا۟ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰٓ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَآءَ أَحَدٌۭ مِّنكُم مِّنَ ٱلْغَآئِطِ أَوْ لَـٰمَسْتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا۟ مَآءًۭ فَتَيَمَّمُوا۟ صَعِيدًۭا طَيِّبًۭا فَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُم مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْ حَرَجٍۢ وَلَـٰكِن يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهِّرَكُمْ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُۥ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

O believers! When you rise up for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads, and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of (full) impurity, then take a full bath. But if you are ill, on a journey, or have relieved yourselves, or have been intimate with your wives and cannot find water, then purify yourselves with clean earth by wiping your faces and hands. It is not Allah’s Will to burden you, but to purify you and complete His favors upon you, so perhaps you will be grateful.

(Surah Al-Ma’idah, Ayah 6)

The Mercy of Allah for the Grateful

Therefore, the One who is most deserving of thanks and praise from people is Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) because of the great favors and blessings that He has bestowed upon His slaves in both spiritual and worldly matters. Everything that Allah سبحانه و تعالى has given us demands us to present our thanks and gratitude towards Him and be grateful for all the blessings that He has given us. If we tried to count Allah’s blessings upon us, we would never be able to enumerate them. He has blessed us and will forgive us of our shortcomings in showing gratitude for these blessings.

Allah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Glorious Qur’an:

وَإِن تَعُدُّوا۟ نِعْمَةَ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَآ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ

And if you would count the favours of Allah, never could you be able to count them. Truly! Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

(Surah An-Nahl, Ayah 18)

Allah has commanded us to give thanks to Him for those blessings, and not to deny them or to be ungrateful.

Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an:

فَٱذْكُرُونِىٓ أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لِى وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ ١٥٢

Remember Me; I will remember you. And thank Me, and never be ungrateful.

(Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 152)

Finding Peace Through a Grateful Heart

Gratitude to Allah سبحانه و تعالى transforms our perspective, turning every moment into a reminder of His boundless mercy and generosity. By cultivating a lifestyle of thankfulness, we not only fulfill our duty to our Creator but also find the peace that eludes us amidst worldly abundance, knowing that every blessing is a gift from Him alone. Let us thank Him always, for in gratitude lies the key to a contented heart.

May Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) make us among those who are truly grateful, who use His blessings to please Him and who find tranquility in recognizing His infinite favours.

The post Gratitude to Allah : The heart’s path to peace appeared first on Rahat-lil-Qalb.

Faith/Trust in Allah: The key to lasting peace

Shaikh Subhan Madni — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 14:09:16 +0000

Introduction

Faith in Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) is like a lifeline that keeps us steady, especially when life gets tough. It’s more than just a belief—it’s a deep, trusting relationship with Allah that fills our hearts with a sense of security and peace. The Quran reminds us that real peace comes from this kind of faith, where we fully trust in Allah’s power, wisdom, and mercy. With this faith, we start to see life’s challenges differently—not just as difficulties, but as chances to grow spiritually and get closer to Allah. When we embrace this kind of faith, we find comfort in knowing that we’re always under Allah’s care, and no matter what we go through, we’re never truly alone.

Faith/Trust in Allah

Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) says in the Glorious Qur’an:

اَلَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَلَمْ يَلْبِسُوْٓا اِيْـمَانَهُمْ بِظُلْمٍ اُولٰۗىِٕكَ لَهُمُ الْاَمْنُ وَهُمْ مُّهْتَدُوْنَ

Those who believe and do not taint their faith with wrongdoings will feel more secure and will be better guided.

(Surah Al- An’am, Ayah 82)

Having strong faith in Allah and knowing His ability to rescue His believing servants, will surely bring our hearts at ease. When we settle in our minds that we are under constant assistance of the Most Powerful, then we shall discern the inner peace and the sense of contentment. Faith acts as a shield, protecting us from the anxieties and uncertainties that often plague our hearts. It reminds us that no matter how daunting our circumstances may appear, we are never truly alone. We have the Creator of the heavens and the earth by our side, guiding and supporting us through every trial.

Let us take a look at the story of Musa عليه السلام and the Bani Israel (Children of Israel) when they were approached by the powerful army of Firaun (Pharaoh). The Bani Israel felt that it was their end, however, Musa عليه السلام had strong faith in Allah.

Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) says in the Glorious Qur’an:

Those who believe and do not taint their faith with wrongdoings will feel more secure and will be better guided.

(Surah Al- An’am, Ayah 82)

Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) says in the Glorious Qur’an:

فَلَمَّا تَرَاۗءَ الْجَمْعٰنِ قَالَ اَصْـحٰبُ مُوْسٰٓي اِنَّا لَمُدْرَكُوْنَ
قَالَ كَلَّا ۚ اِنَّ مَعِيَ رَبِّيْ سَيَهْدِيْنِ
فَاَوْحَيْنَآ اِلٰى مُوْسٰٓي اَنِ اضْرِبْ بِّعَصَاكَ الْبَحْرَ ۭ فَانْفَلَقَ فَكَانَ كُلُّ فِرْقٍ كَالطَّوْدِ الْعَظِيْمِ

And when the two companies saw one another, the companions of Musa said, “Indeed, we are to be overtaken!” [Musa] said, “No! Indeed, with me is my Lord; He will guide me.” Then We inspired to Musa, “Strike with your staff the sea,” and it parted, and each portion was like a great towering mountain.

(Surah Al- Shu’ara, Ayah 61-63)

This profound event teaches us that when we place our trust in Allah, He provides us with guidance and opens pathways that we never imagined. The sea that once appeared as an insurmountable barrier became a clear path to safety for the believers, demonstrating that no situation is too difficult for Allah to resolve.

At any difficult moment, that incapacitates our abilities to find our way out, we must remember that we have Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) with us, who is not incapable or unable or stoppable by any force. We need to be duty-bound to direct our thought and our hopes to Him, and say “Indeed, with me is my Lord; He will guide me.” Or “Indeed, Lord is with me/us.”

As our faith increases, so will our inner peace. Without having faith in Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) and commitments to do deeds that uplift our faith, any perceived inner peace shall be delusional and unsustainable. Without faith in Him, surely, we will be crawling on a losing path.

Faith is not merely a spiritual comfort; it is the foundation upon which true peace is built. It gives us the strength to face adversity with courage, knowing that our lives are in the hands of the One who is most merciful and just.

Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) says in the Glorious Qur’an:

قُلْ مَنْ يُّنَجِّيْكُمْ مِّنْ ظُلُمٰتِ الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ تَدْعُوْنَهٗ تَضَرُّعًا وَّخُفْيَةً ۚ لَىِٕنْ اَنْـجٰىنَا مِنْ هٰذِهٖ لَنَكُوْنَنَّ مِنَ الشّٰكِرِيْنَ
قُلِ اللّٰهُ يُنَجِّيْكُمْ مِّنْهَا وَمِنْ كُلِّ كَرْبٍ ثُـمَّ اَنْتُمْ تُشْرِكُوْنَ

Say, (O Prophet), “Who rescues you from the darkest times on land and at sea? He alone you call upon with humility, openly and secretly: “If You rescue us from this, we will be ever grateful.” Say, “Only Allah rescues you from this and from every distress, yet you associate others with Him in worship.”

(Surah Al-An’am, Ayah 63-64)

For sure, Allah is the only one who can cure us from every distress. He is the only one who can bring about peace and contentment to our hearts and He is our best hope and our best savior. In every breath, in every moment of our lives, we must strive to strengthen our faith, for it is through faith that we find the true essence of peace and the courage to face the world with hope and resilience.

Conclusion:

Strong faith in Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) is the key to navigating life’s difficulties with grace and confidence. When we truly believe that Allah is with us, guiding us through every challenge, our hearts are filled with a deep and lasting peace. This faith empowers us to face adversity with patience and trust, knowing that Allah’s wisdom is beyond our understanding and that He will always provide a way out. By anchoring ourselves in this unwavering faith, we can find true contentment and serenity, knowing that our ultimate refuge and salvation lies with Allah alone. Let us strengthen our faith and live with the assurance that, with Allah by our side, we can overcome any obstacle and experience the profound peace that only He can provide.

The post Faith/Trust in Allah: The key to lasting peace appeared first on Rahat-lil-Qalb.

The Role of Faith in Stress Management

RLQAdmin — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 07:29:48 +0000

Introduction:

Life is full of ups and downs, and stress is something we all face at different points. But Islam provides a comforting perspective to help us handle these challenges with strength and hope. At the core of stress management in Islam is faith—a deep belief in Allaah and the understanding that He is always in control. When we hold on to this faith and strive to do good, we find the courage to face even the toughest situations. Trusting in Allaah’s plan and accepting Qadr (divine destiny) helps us stay calm and grounded, no matter what life throws at us. In this article, we’ll explore how these teachings can guide us toward inner peace and resilience, making life’s struggles a little easier to bear.

1. Belief in Allaah and Righteous Deeds

Many of us long for peace. It’s something we all seek, yet despite the wealth and material comforts we have, many still feel restless inside. People today possess everything-money, cars, and possessions-but still lack something essential: inner peace. In the past, people didn’t have much, yet they found happiness in simpler lives. Even with little, they felt content.

But today, with all our advances, peace seems harder to find. So, where does true peace come from?

The first step toward finding peace is faith in Allaah and living a righteous life. When we know and believe that Allaah created us with a purpose, and we understand that purpose, it brings tranquillity to our hearts. It’s not about expecting everything to be perfect or getting everything we want. True peace comes from living in harmony with Allaah’s will and fulfilling the purpose He created us for.

Allaah promises that,

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّنْ ذَكَرٍ اَوْ اُنْثٰى وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهٗ حَيٰوةً طَيِّبَةً ۚ وَلَـنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ اَجْرَهُمْ بِاَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوْا يَعْمَلُوْنَ

“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.”

(Qur’an 16:97)

A “good life” does not mean wealth or material success. It’s not about having riches fall from the sky, but about having peace of mind, even in the face of hardship. A person with inner peace can face difficulties and still remain joyful. It’s like children, who, despite getting upset over small things, quickly bounce back and find joy again. This ability to remain positive in tough times comes from within. For example, a child might feel overjoyed at a simple gift, like a piece of chocolate, because they appreciate it with pure gratitude, whereas if it is given to an elderly man he will not feel the same. It’s not the chocolate itself, but their attitude of thankfulness that brings them happiness. Similarly, when we learn to appreciate life and approach it with a grateful heart, we can find peace-even in the most challenging situations.

This is why Islam teaches us to change from within. Our external circumstances may stay the same, but if we change our mindset, we can experience peace in any situation. Our thoughts and beliefs shape our reality. If our minds are filled with stress and negativity, it will affect our physical health and overall well-being. That’s why faith in Allaah and living a life of good deeds are the first steps toward finding true peace in our lives.

2. Trust in Allaah

We often try to solve problems on our own, thinking we can handle everything. However, sometimes the more we try, the bigger the problem becomes. We forget that our strength has limits, but Allaah’s power is unlimited. When we rely solely on our own abilities, anxiety and stress grow. But when we place our trust in Allaah, we remember that He can do anything. Our weaknesses are not His weaknesses. This realization brings peace and comfort to our hearts. We do our best, and then we trust that Allaah will take care of the rest.

Allaah’s teachings remind us of this beautiful truth. Allaah says,

وَّيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَـحْتَسِبُ ۭ وَمَنْ يَّتَوَكَّلْ عَلَي اللّٰهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهٗ ۭ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ بَالِغُ اَمْرِهٖ ۭ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللّٰهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا

“And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him”

(Qur’an 65:3)

This means that when we depend on Allaah, He will be enough for us, no matter what happens. This trust gives us courage, even in the most difficult situations.

Think of Prophet Yaqub عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ and his son, Prophet Yusuf عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ. When Yaqub عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ lost his beloved son, he was deeply saddened. Yet, he did not allow despair to take over him. He said,

قَالَ اِنَّـمَآ اَشْكُوْا بَثِّيْ وَحُزْنِيْٓ اِلَى اللّٰهِ وَاَعْلَمُ مِنَ اللّٰهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُوْنَ

“I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allaah, and I know from Allaah that which you do not know”

(Qur’an 12:86)

Even in his pain, Yaqub عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ trusted in Allaah’s wisdom and plan. He believed that Allaah could bring good from even the most difficult circumstances.

Sometimes, in life, we face hardships like financial struggles or personal losses. It’s easy to feel lost and hopeless, and some may even consider giving up. But this feeling of despair comes from forgetting the power of Allaah. A person who trusts in Allaah knows that no matter how difficult life gets, if Allaah wills, everything can change.

Trusting in Allaah brings inner peace. Even when we feel weak and helpless, we remember that Allaah has always provided for us. Think about how we were nourished before we were born, while we were still in our mother’s womb. We had no hands, no way to ask for food, but Allaah provided for us in ways we could never understand. This is the same Allaah who will take care of us now.

When we trust in Allaah, we are free from fear, frustration, and anxiety. We can sleep peacefully, knowing that Allaah is in charge of everything. Trust in Allaah is a powerful source of comfort, reminding us that we are never alone.

3. Belief in Qadr (Preordained Destiny): A Path to Peace and Resilience

Believing in destiny can bring peace, especially in moments of loss or hardship. When something unexpected happens, like a valuable item breaking or an accident occurring, it’s natural to feel upset and confused. We often wonder, “Why did this happen?” or “What could I have done differently?” However, believing in destiny can help us find comfort in these challenging times. This is a key element of stress management in Islam, as it helps us navigate difficult situations with patience and understanding.

Imagine a driver who survives an accident, but whose family members are injured or lost. He may repeatedly think, “If only I had taken a different route…” These thoughts can haunt him and make his life miserable. But if he believes that what happened was meant to happen, he can begin to find peace. This belief in destiny helps him accept what has occurred and move forward, trusting that what was meant to be happened by Allaah’s will. This mindset also supports stress management, allowing us to find inner calm in situations where we feel powerless.

Even doctors who don’t believe in destiny often tell their patients that certain things were meant to happen and could not have been avoided. This belief that everything is written can help people cope with illness, loss, or difficult situations. By trusting in Allaah’s plan, we can stop worrying about things we can’t change, and instead focus on how to move forward. This approach is a form of stress management, helping us release the burden of anxiety over the uncontrollable aspects of life.

It’s important to understand that believing in destiny does not mean being passive or inactive. It doesn’t mean waiting for things to happen on their own. Instead, faith in destiny gives us the strength to face challenges with courage. It teaches us that while we can make efforts, the outcomes are ultimately in Allaah’s hands. If something is meant to happen, it will, and we cannot change that. This acceptance is part of stress management in Islam, where we trust that the outcomes are part of a greater plan.

This belief also reminds us not to dwell on regret or boast about our successes. Whether we face pain or blessings, we should remember that everything comes from Allaah. If we lose something, like a large sum of money, we may feel sad. But if we accept that it was part of our destiny, we can find peace and stop blaming ourselves. This perspective is an important aspect of stress management, as it encourages us to focus on gratitude rather than regret.

In Islam, we are taught to trust in destiny-not to endlessly blame ourselves or others for the outcomes of our lives. Allaah says in the Quran,

قُلْ لَّنْ يُّصِيْبَنَآ اِلَّا مَا كَتَبَ اللّٰهُ لَنَا ۚ هُوَ مَوْلٰىنَا ۚ وَعَلَي اللّٰهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ

Say: “Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allaah has ordained for us. He is our Maulaa (Lord, Helper and Protector).” And in Allaah let the believers put their trust

(Qur’an 9:51)

Believing in destiny helps us let go of unnecessary regrets and pride, and focus instead on moving forward with gratitude and patience. This trust in Allaah is one of the key components of stress management in Islam, helping us release the tension that comes from trying to control every aspect of our lives.

Destiny reminds us that while we must put in effort, the ultimate results are beyond our control, and accepting this brings peace of mind and emotional resilience.

Conclusion:

Finding peace amidst life’s struggles is something we all strive for, and Islam offers timeless wisdom to help us achieve that. Strengthening our belief in Allaah, trusting His wisdom, and embracing the concept of Qadr (divine destiny) give us a sense of calm, even during life’s toughest moments.

When we truly believe that everything happens for a reason, as part of Allaah’s perfect plan, it changes how we approach challenges. Instead of being consumed by worry or stress, we can focus on doing our part while leaving the outcomes to Him. This mindset doesn’t mean life will be free of difficulties, but it helps us navigate them with patience and confidence.

Faith becomes the anchor that steadies us in the storms of life, building resilience and teaching us to find peace even when things don’t go as we hoped. By placing our trust in Allaah, we open the door to inner strength and clarity, no matter what comes our way.

The post The Role of Faith in Stress Management appeared first on Rahat-lil-Qalb.

Heartfelt peace through love of Allah

Shaikh Subhan Madni — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 11:48:51 +0000

In a world filled with distractions and fleeting pleasures, many find themselves searching for a deeper sense of fulfillment and peace. While material success and worldly desires may provide temporary satisfaction, true and lasting peace can only be found in the love for Allah (may He be glorified and exalted). This profound love transcends the superficial and connects us to our Creator in a way that fills our hearts with genuine tranquility and contentment. Through understanding and embracing the love for Allah, we can attain the ultimate peace at heart that we all seek.

Love of Allah

The most gratifying human emotion is love and the most beautiful and perfect semblance of love is to love Allah (may He be glorified and exalted). We stay away from sin because we fear Allah and we fear the punishment of Hellfire, but we worship Allah and do good deeds and draw ourselves closer to Allah because we love Allah and we hope for Paradise. This Love, between the worshiper and the Creator is fulfilling and it fills our hearts, especially when we know that Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) loves us. To love Allah is more than simply pronouncing our love for Allah; it is acting upon this love by obeying Him, worshiping Him, liking what He likes, and disliking what He dislikes.

The Most Glorious name of our creator is ‘ALLAH’ and this is the primary name of Allah (may He be glorified and exalted). The name ‘ALLAH’ comes from the root word ‘Al-ILAH’, the one and only who is worthy to be worshipped. This name is mentioned throughout the Qur’an and Allah uses the term ‘ALLAH’ to remind us that The One that created us, The One that sustains us, The One that we call upon, is the only One that is worthy of our worship. The Lord that we talk about ‘Allah’, He is Allah because He possesses every beautiful names and attributes.

Allah is Al-Wadud, The Loving and The Beloved. No matter how much Love you have in this Life, from your friends, from your spouses, from your parents, from everyone else in this world, you will always have a void in your heart that can only be fulfilled with the love of Allah. And this is what, Shaykh Ibn-al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) mentions. He says:

“Indeed in the heart there is a void that can only be fulfilled with the Love of Allah”.

A lot of us don’t realize this, and we imbue and fill up the void in our hearts with the desires of this world. Whether it be through wealth, through women, or through everything and anything else. We try to fulfill it through desires, but as these worldly desires are fulfilled we notice that we become more empty and the void space magnifies itself. Going against worldly desires and preventing ourselves from over indulging in worldly desires help us to live a healthy and a balanced life. This controlled nature will keep us in constant awareness of the transient nature of this world. For example, saving up money is good but greed and miserliness is frowned down upon. While there is nothing wrong with enjoying a delicious meal, gluttony and overeating is discouraged in Islam. Thus, fulfilling this void space in our heart with each and every single worldly desires won’t be fruitful because that portion of our heart was created for the love of Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) alone. Shaykh Ibn-al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) gives a beautiful example where he goes onto exclaiming that the love of Allah in the heart of the believer is like a tree, the roots are the fear of Allah, the trunk is the humility for the sake of Allah, the leaves are modesty for Allah, and the fruits that it bears is the obedience to Allah. Thus, we can see that our whole relationship with Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) revolves around Love and this is why Shaykh Ibn-al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) gives his other famous parable and says that our journey of worship towards Allah is like that of a bird whose head is love and its two wings are fear and hope.

Now, what is a bird without a head? Is it going to survive? Will it be able to fly without navigating itself despite of having the wings?

Similarly, if our journey to Allah does not begin with love then our journey will not progress and that is why we all must constantly remind ourselves that Allah loves us and He wants us to love Him as well. He is Al-Wadud, one of the most unique names of Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) where not only is Allah the subject but He is the object as well. When we say that Allah is Al-Rahman, He is the one who shows mercy but not the one to whom mercy is shown upon. When we say that Allah is Al-Ghaffar and Al-Ghafoor, He is the forgiver but He is not the one who needs forgiveness. But when it comes to Al-Wadud not only He is loving, but He is the beloved as well.

Learning the Names and Attributes of Allah will increase our love towards Allah. This Love of Allah can only be attained by knowing Him. This love emanates from loving Allah for what He is. Each of the names and attributes of Allah, and each of the meanings and concepts that they refer to, dictate that He must be loved with the utmost love; this also includes all His deeds, because every blessing from Him is due to His generosity and every punishment is due to His justice. Therefore, He deserves to be praised in all situations, and He deserves to be praised at times of ease and of hardship. This is the most sublime and the most perfect type of love, and this is the love of the elite. This Love paves the way for His Glorification. Knowing Him, Loving Him and Glorifying Him, all three are directly proportional to each other. It means that, we cannot Glorify Him until and unless we Love Him and we cannot Love Him until and unless we Know Him. That is why Allah says in the glorious Qur’an:

فَاعْلَمْ اَنَّهٗ لَآ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنْۢبِكَ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَالْمُؤْمِنٰتِ ۭ وَاللّٰهُ يَعْلَمُ مُتَقَلَّبَكُمْ وَمَثْوٰىكُمْ

So know (O Muhammad ﷺ) that, Laa ilaaha illallaah (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and believing women. And Allah knows well your moving about, and your place of rest (in your homes).

(Surah Muhammad, Ayah 19)

Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) orders His beloved Prophet ﷺ to first know who Allah is and then ask for forgiveness. When we start knowing Him, start to realize His blessings and bounties upon us, we shall automatically start loving Him as He should be loved.

Now, let us take a peek into the matters of glorifying Allah (may He be glorified and exalted). To glorify Allah means to acknowledge His greatness. It involves praising Him and submitting our will, willingly, to His will. What we know is that there is not a tree except that it glorifies Allah, not a bird except that it glorifies Allah, not any one of Allah’s creation except that it is glorifying Him, except that we do not understand their glorification. Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) says in the Glorious Qur’an:

تُـسَبِّحُ لَهُ السَّمٰوٰتُ السَّـبْعُ وَالْاَرْضُ وَمَنْ فِيْهِنَّ ۭ وَاِنْ مِّنْ شَيْءٍ اِلَّايُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِهٖ وَلٰكِنْ لَّا تَفْقَهُوْنَ تَسْبِيْحَهُمْ ۭ اِنَّهٗ كَانَ حَلِــيْمًا غَفُوْرًا

“The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein, glorify Him and there is not a thing but glorifies His Praise. But you understand not their glorification. Truly, He is Ever Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving.”

(Surah Al-Isra, Ayah 44)

And the Prophet ﷺ says:

إِنِّي أَرَى مَا لاَ تَرَوْنَ وَأَسْمَعُ مَا لاَ تَسْمَعُونَ إِنَّ السَّمَاءَ أَطَّتْ وَحُقَّ لَهَا أَنْ تَئِطَّ مَا فِيهَا مَوْضِعُ أَرْبَعِ أَصَابِعَ إِلاَّ وَمَلَكٌ وَاضِعٌ جَبْهَتَهُ سَاجِدًا لِلَّهِ

“I see what you do not see, and I hear what you do not hear. The heaven is creaking and it should creak, for there is no space in it the width of four fingers but there is an angel there, prostrating to Allah.

(Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Zuhd, Hadith 4190)

Far beyond our understanding and contemplation. Isn’t it? The skies shake and creak and they have the right to shake and creak because there is not a distance of four fingers, except that an Angel is making ruqooh, an Angel is making sujood, and Angel is making Qiyaam to Allah. And this will continue till the day of judgement.

Every single creation of Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) is showing their love by glorifying Him because this is the love that Allah has created for Himself.

Now, a question arises, where is our love for Allah?

It is a normal condition for us all to experience highs and lows when it comes to the level of our worship. There are times when we feel that the love for Allah is alive and is present in our hearts and we take delight in our rituals of worship and calling upon Allah. But, there are times when we feel that the love for Allah has become subtle, and we may feel a break away from Allah and less motivated. What we need are the ways to help us intensify our love for Allah and to help us stay motivated. Reading and understanding the Glorious Qur’an, performing voluntary prayers, remembering Allah, remaining humble towards Allah, giving charity from things that are dear to us, remembering Allah’s Beautiful Names and Attributes, performing the night prayers, keeping good company, gratitude towards Allah, are ways of glorifying and praising Allah through our actions. And these are some of the effective steps of keeping the love for Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) alive in our hearts.

Conclusion

In our quest for true peace and contentment, the love for Allah (may He be glorified and exalted) stands as the cornerstone of our spiritual journey. This love is not merely an emotion but a profound and transformative relationship that shapes our actions, thoughts, and aspirations. By knowing Allah through His beautiful names and attributes, we deepen our love for Him, which in turn brings us closer to fulfilling our purpose as His creation. As we navigate the complexities of life, let us strive to fill the void in our hearts with the love of Allah, allowing it to guide us, uplift us, and grant us the peace we so earnestly seek. Through this unwavering love and devotion, we can attain a state of tranquility and fulfillment that transcends the fleeting pleasures of this world, bringing us true and lasting peace at heart.

The post Heartfelt peace through love of Allah appeared first on Rahat-lil-Qalb.