.:: Reflections ::.

Archived under Heart-Melters , My Writings .

.:: Reflections ::.
Umm Junayd

Assalaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh

Isn't it amazing how much benefit is gained from spending a few minutes pondering? SubhaanAllaah, if only we but knew!

A series of events have occured recently which have, alhamdulillaah, led me to ponder. In the few minutes that I grasped with both hands, I was able to think over a few things - namely about my and your Lord, Allaah.

He says: "Your wealth and your children are but a trial." [64:15] and how true He is in His Words! I've had sleepless nights and tiresome days due to my son being unwell and although it may seem like nothing, indeed it's a trial! I'm obviously being tested to see how strong my faith is [which at the moment has had its low times] and whether I will turn to Allaah for help. Afterall, should I not? Is He not the One I worship and the One I should turn to for help? Will I be a hypocrite to that which I recite (Soorah al-Faatiha: 5)?

There are moments when I've wanted to cry because I feel hopeless and tired. Afterall, there is only so much I can do to try to ease my son's pain, yet I dont seem to be making a difference. Then the reality of the situation kicks in - I'm really not able to do anything, and it's by Allaah's Will and Mercy that he'll recover.

You see... we are weak... very, very weak and it's at times of hardship that we come to recognise this. At times of ease, we think everything's hunky-doory [please excuse the expression!] and we're doing fine - but when we face a hardship, that's when we remember Allaah.

Why is this? Do we not reflect upon the story of Prophet Yoonus (alayhis-salaam)? If it was not for the fact that He remembered Allaah at times of ease, Allaah would not have remembered him at his time of difficulty. But sadly many of us are like those who Allaah mentions:

"Whenever affliction touches a man, he prays to Us, whether lying down on
his side, sitting, or standing on his feet. But as soon as We relieve his
affliction he walks away as if he had never prayed to Us for removing that
affliction which touched him!" (10:15)

We should cry at this realisation - how ungrateful we are! Junayd's now sitting in front of me able to breath okay again [although not fully recovered], walhamdulillaah - and less than 24 hours ago we didn’t know what was going on with him, laa hawlaa wa laa quwwata illaa billaah! This ayah has been of real comfort to me:

"If Allah afflicts you with a calamity, none can remove it but He; and if He
intends to bestow a favour, none can withhold His bounty." (10:107)

For verily with Allaah is the cure and the success and to Him shall we return!