Nafsiya Reflections: Soon!

We sometimes ask ourselves, how do the disbelievers live their lives not knowing who Allah (swt) is? How are they able to lift their worries, their doubts, their pain, off their chests to Allah (swt), unable to trust that Allah (swt) will not let anything go in vain, to not feel secure in knowing they will always be protected closing their eyes at night reassured that no matter what happens they will never be alone. HE (swt) will always be there, and that everything is in HIS hands, that HE (swt) has everything they need.

Often being raised in a Muslim family, an Arab family especially, we can become accustomed to the words we hear over and over. We may not look into the meaning behind the words we use so often. Not giving what we say or hear deep thought. We are told, “have patience” but do we remember that

[إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى ٱلصَّـٰبِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍۢ]

Only those who endure patiently will be given their reward without limit.]...? [Surah Az-Zumar: ayah 10]

Or when we greet one another as Muslims, “Assalamu Alaykom wa Rahmat Allah wa Barakatuh”... We may not be listening or thinking about the meaning behind that beautiful Duaa having Allah (swt's) mercy on us, to have HIS barakah. How would that state of mercy and barakah affect us, and our day; to walk in the street smiling at our brothers and sisters, greeting one another, knowing we are making duaa for each other. What a bond that creates! Subhan Allah!

We may take for granted Surah al - Fatiha, a Duaa we make to Allah (swt), every day, at least 17 times! Do we stop to think about what we are asking Allah (swt) for? Do we stop to think about what it means to be on the 'Sirat al Mustaqeem', the straight path? How about being grateful for what Allah (swt) has given us or taken away from us; alhamdulilahi Rab al Alameen?

How about the other times, we make Duaa not being fully aware of what it means to face our hands to the sky, or to the ground in sujood, asking for whatever our hearts desire or pleading to end the oppression we are living as an Ummah. At times, in the back of our minds, it may feel like our Duaa is not going to be answered. We see Gaza going through a broadcasted genocide, and none of our armies have flinched yet. Logically we question how could this be happening?! We may be making Duaa unaware that we are relying on what we believe to be our reality, on what we see, what we hear, and how our minds interpret what is happening, or what is not happening. We may lose faith in the idea that Tahreer may come from Syria that we are falling deeper and deeper, moving farther and farther away from the rise of our Ummah. But have we forgotten the words of Allah (swt), in Surah At-Talaq, ayah two:

[وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مَخْرَجًۭا]

"And whoever fears Allāh - He will make for him a way out."

'A way out.'

Or in Surah al Baqara, Ayah 214:

[أَلَآ إِنَّ نَصْرَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌۭ]

"Indeed, Allah’s help is ˹always˺ near."

'Always near.'

Or in Surah at-Talaq, Ayah three:

[وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُۥٓ]

"And whoever puts their trust in Allah, then He ˹alone˺ is sufficient for them"

'He ˹alone˺ is sufficient for them.'

Have we become accustomed to hearing these beautiful ayah, not feeling their meanings within us? Have we been pulled into Dunya believing what our eyes are showing us and believing in the utter silence we hear?! Forgetting that Allah (swt) sees all and has promised us victory?!! Do we not have complete and utter faith that HIS (swt) plan is perfect?! HE (swt) knows when and where the turning point will be?!! It will be in the face of all those who plotted against it!

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said,

«ثُمَّ تَكُونُ مُلْكًا جَبْرِيَّةً فَتَكُونُ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ أَنْ تَكُونَ ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُهَا إِذَا شَاءَ أَنْ يَرْفَعَهَا ثُمَّ تَكُونُ خِلَافَةً عَلَى مِنْهَاجِ النُّبُوَّةِ ثُمَّ سَكَتَ»

“Then there will be an oppressive rule, and things will be as Allah wishes them to be. Then Allah will end it when He wishes. Then there will be a Khilafah according to the method of Prophethood.” Then he (saw) fell silent.” (Musnad Ahmad)

We make Duaa but we should not focus on the outcome. Once we make the Duaa... once we utter the words, they go to Allah (swt), and HE (swt) does what HE wills. And it is the best of plans. We must not despair, lasmahAllah or be devastated by what we see, for Allah (swt) Sees and Hears, and is all happening according to HIS (swt) plan. HE (swt) is All-Aware. What better hands to put our lives in than His?!

We often need to pause and refocus our minds, to re-hear what we have become accustomed to in order to get off the hamster wheel of this Dunya and its emotions, redirect ourselves, redirect our actions, and have stronger faith. Faith that victory is coming. That victory is near. Soon.

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