Captured Feelings

I am not enough, but Allah is enough for me

The power of “Hasbiallahu wa ni’mal wakil”

Photo by Gökhan SAĞDAŞ on Unsplash

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For years, the self-help world echoed the mantra: “I am enough.” Repeat it like an affirmation, they said. Believe it, and success would follow. Believe it with your whole being, and everything will fall into place.

So I said it all the time, plastered inspirational quotes on my phone wallpapers, and tried to feel the power of sufficiency surge through me. But it felt hollow and empty. The truth, the nagging feeling I couldn’t silence, was: I am actually not enough. Not by myself, at least.

Not enough to control the chaos of life. Not enough to guarantee a happy ending. Not enough to shield myself from the inevitable hurts and disappointments from other people. This inherent lack, this human condition, clashed with the forced positivity of “I am enough.” It felt like a betrayal of my very real humanity.

Then, I was guided to the powerful Islamic concept:

Hasbiallahu wa ni’mal wakil — Allah is sufficient for me, and He is the best Disposer of my affairs.