How to Increase your Reliance on Allah in These Turbulent Times
And put your trust in the Ever-Living One Who dies not, and glorify His Praises, and Sufficient is He as the All-Knower of the sins of His slaves. — Qur’an 25[Al-Furqan]:58
There’s a popular saying: “tough times don’t last, but tough people do”, that’s very true. Tough people also have a threshold though; meaning they can break as well when the toughness heightens. The only thing that can make one unbreakable is Tawakul — complete reliance upon Allah. There’s too much going on in the world right now: the pandemic, recession, instability, name it. So how do we navigate through this period of trial that seems unending? We’ve seen people complain about 2020 being the worst year they ever lived. However, to some others, it’s their best year living. So it all depends on perspectives and how we are reacting to the challenges we come across. Situations like these aren’t new, it’s not the first and most likely wouldn’t be the last. So let’s explore how believers overcame hard times through reliance upon Allah. We hope through this you’re encouraged and rekindles your reliance upon Allah.
- Prophet Ibrahim AS and the fire: We all know the story of Abraham our great father who was an affable buddy to Allah. His life was filled with challenges from childhood all because he believed in the Only One True God. So in a particular instance, Ibrahim called people to the worship of God Alone against the claim of King Namrood who wants to share supremacy with Allah. Hence, the king ordered that Ibrahim be thrown into the fire. Before he was thrown into the deep blaze, he recited these beautiful words:
Ibn Abbas RA states that the last words Ibrahim AS spoke before he was flung into the blaze were: “Hasbunallah wa ni’mal Wakil — Allah is sufficient for us and how excellent a Protector!” (Bukhari).
And you know what happened next? Allah, the Lord of creation, Guardian and Protector of the believers decreed:
“O fire, be coolness and safety upon Ibrahim.” — Qur’an 21[Al-Anbiyah]:69
So Ibrahim relied upon Allah and thus he was saved. Indeed whoever truly trusts in Allah, Allah will take care of him and suffice him.
2. The imminent danger before Musa AS: The story of Prophet Musa AS is also one we are quite familiar with. He had called the Pharaoh king to the Oneness of Allah until the king wanted to persecute Musa and the children of Israel who believed with him. So Musa and the believers fled until they reached the red sea and there was no way to pass through. What happened next? The Quran tells us…
So they pursued them at sunrise. And as soon as the two sides came within sight of one another, Moses’ followers said, ‘We shall definitely be caught.’ [Musa (Moses)] said: “Nay, verily! With me is my Lord, He will guide me.” Then We inspired to Moses, “Strike with your staff the sea,” and it parted, and each portion was like a great towering mountain. Then We brought near the others [Fir’aun’s (Pharaoh) party] to that place. And We saved Musa (Moses) and all those with him. Then We drowned the others. Verily! In this is indeed a sign (or a proof), yet most of them are not believers. — Qur’an 26[Ash-Shuara]:60–67
If you truly believe Allah is with you, then be rest assured He will not forsake you.
3. Uncompromising spirit of the Messenger SAW: The pagans of Mecca tried to lure Allah’s Apostle to give up His call to the Oneness of Allah. They promised to offer him leadership and wealth, he rejected. The prophet SAW was even asked to do a 50–50 compromise: to worship their gods one day and they worship Allah on another. He refused, then they called upon his uncle Abu Talib to persuade him. Then he SAW gave the following response:
“O, my uncle! by Allah, if they put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left on condition that I abandon this course, until God has made me victorious, or I perish therein, I would not abandon it.”
As believers, we do not compromise our faith for a piece of cake. For verily, victory beacons after hardship.
4. Yunus AS in the belly of the whale: It’s a great burden and distress that you have the truth with you, you’re sent to deliver it to your people and yet they belie you. That was what exactly happened to the prophet Yunus AS. He got angered and frustrated, then decided to flee away from his people before Allah’s punishment descends on them.
The Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) said: “The supplication of Dhun-Nun (Prophet Yunus) when he supplicated, while in the belly of the whale was: “La ilaha Illa Anta Subhanaka Inni Kuntu Minaz-dhaalimeen.” Meaning: “There is none worthy of worship except You, Glory be to You. Indeed, I am one of the wrongdoers.” So indeed, no Muslim man supplicated with it for anything, ever, except Allah responds to him. — At-Tirmidhi
So next time when life hits you hard, be patient and remember Allah.
5. The repentance of Adam AS: The whole story around Prophet Adam and his wife’s creation, devil’s deception, expulsion, repentance, and pardon had all been decreed by Allah. Many of us know their story so there’s really no need going into the details. However, the key point here is how Allah inspired them to make this beautiful supplication that remains relevant and beneficial to us until the end of time.
They said, “Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.” — Qur’an 7[Al-A’raf]:23
Sometimes when things become difficult, we just need to acknowledge our shortcomings before Allah and make sincere repentance. This will surely open the way for good to come.
In sum, connect every situation back to Allah:
- Have unshakable faith in Allah
- Do not compromise your deen
- Know that Allah is with you
- Be patient and steadfast during trial
- Always repent and return back to Allah.
We ask Allah to count us among those who are able to execute good deeds solely for His sake. Ameen!
PS: And Success comes only by the will of Allah! If you find this piece beneficial, it’s by His Grace. It’s no scholarly work and we accept our mistakes. Suggestions are welcomed in making this effort better as well. You are free to share by any means for enlightenment purposes. Kindly give a “click-clap” to enable other readers on Medium to see this post. We ask Allah to keep us guided and steadfast upon the right path. We hope you’d read from us again next time in sha Allah!
Yaumul Jumu’ah 12th Dhul Qa’dah 1441 AH / Friday 3rd July 2020.
