Trials of uncertainty- Reflections and Insights of a Muslimah…

We’ve all been there right?

We’ve experienced that challenge or trial be it familial, studies or finances, where we go through a hardship and look to the future with uncertainty. Not knowing what will unfold. Not knowing which way the current will flow.

This is Dunya afterall.

But these challenges can teach us SO much. Here are some valuable gems which I’ve extracted from certain experiences of my own, Alhamdullilah.

1.Resilience

Allah enables us to develop our resilience, through difficult challenges. By putting us through difficult and uncomfortable situations, it gives us the opportunity which pushes us to grow (as growth occurs where there is discomfort and pain). Allah tells us in the Quran that “Allah will not burden a soul beyond that it can bear” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:286). This explains that for ANY challenge which Allah chooses for us- He is guaranteeing that we are capable of coming out of the other side- we CAN get through it and withstand it. Hence, this implicitly alludes to the fact that Allah has put the capability inside of us to rise to the challenge and be resilient. He speaks of our unmet potential here- which is very empowering, and hopeful.

The manner in which Allah invites us to gain resilience, is by calling us to Him. This resilience is built off of faith in Allah. I have found that the intensity of the challenge quite often puts us in a state of stress, where we are unable to focus effectively on the various facets of life. However, the situation forces us to Remember Him, The Eternal Refuge, and gain relief from Him- “Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest” (Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:28). Hence, the challenge provides the conditions for developing resilience in us through developing our ability in relying on Him.

2.The Reality of Allah- The All-Powerful

The trial also is an opportunity to reconnect and remind ourselves of the reality of Allah, of WHO He is via His Attributes. In particular, the challenge allows us to reaffirm the belief that Allah is capable of ANYTHING. He is Al- Qadir- The All-Powerful. He is limitless and He does things with ease which we may deem as impossible.

From my own experience, I had to logically reason that the outcome had not yet unfolded, despite how worried I felt about the future. This reinforced in me the perspective that I cannot live in a way which prematurely accepts a certain outcome, when I do not know what the future holds, as Allah knows what I do not and He is the All-powerful, capable of forming any outcome. Hence, this realisation brings form a level of humility of not knowing what is ahead as that is only known to Allah, and in accepting Allah as being The All-Powerful. Soon after I felt it more natural to remain hopeful of Allah’s intervention and support in this situation. To further demonstrate the need to remain open- minded and the truth of this Attribute of Allah, we know from the story of Musa AS, that even when there was no way to be found to escape Pharoah, Allah defied the laws of physics and made a way for Musa AS and his people through splitting the sea.

Do we need to say more than that!

So, even if you are feeling like a way out of a situation is impossible, that is simply untrue as Allah is capable of anything and “And whoever fears Allah- He will make for him a way out And will provide for him from where he does not expect” (Surah At-Talaq 65:2-3). By remembering this, hope starts feeling very real and tangible. Alhamdullilah.

3.The reality of Allah- The Most Generous

Another attribute that this trial can call us to remember is that Allah is The Most Generous. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Verily your Lord is Generous and Shy. If His servant raises his hands to Him (in supplication) He becomes shy to return them empty” [Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi]. This beautiful Hadith indicates to the reality of Allah in giving in abundance and His strong willingness in responding to our supplications and requests.

Allah won’t turn away from us unless we turn away from Him, and He is always accessible if we sincerely seek Him “And whoever comes to me walking, I will go to him running”(Hadith Qudsi). So, this attribute about Allah made me realise that we need to truly believe that Allah wants to give us goodness in Abundance. He wants what is best for us and He is on our side. Believe that Allah is going to grant goodness to you because you know WHO He is- The Most generous, and at the same time know that He knows best and seek His blessing in disposing your affairs in the best way possible

4. Allah’s challenges come from a place of love

Often times we are blind-sighted to the blessings of Allah, just as a child is blind-sighted from the benefit of his mother’s nurturing behaviours towards him.

Except, Allah loves you even more that a mother loves her own child.

So, if a mother’s actions nurture and grow and develop the child, then imagine the fruits of a challenge which Allah chooses for you. Imagine the growth, resilience gained, purification, spiritual transformation, strength developed, from a challenge that The All-Knowing chose for you. SubhanAllah.

5. Istikara and Isthishara

Istikara and isthishara are part of a beautiful guidance system which aid the believer in approaching trials and decisions in an empowered way which also relies on Allah. More to come about this topic which you can find in the blog archive section here.

Those were some of my insights which I gained from my own experiences of developing resilience, realising Allah’s capability to do anything if He wills, realising Allah’s attribute in giving in abundance and being the Most generous and reminding myself of the immense love which Allah has for us.

What are some lessons on Deen have you learnt through your own experiences? -Drop your comments down below!