Reliance on Allah The Most High II

ISLAM In Focus By ACP Alhassan Yaqub PhD,

Force Chief Imam
FHQ Jumu’at Mosque Abuja

Exerting efforts and placing one’s trust in God is among the greatest blessings we have that enable us to nurture and maintain our faith. It is the source that inspires hope, contentment and confidence during all times and situations, particularly during moments of fear and uncertainty. Allah promises to “provide for the believer from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah, then He is sufficient for him.”

Allah promises that we will indeed be among the superior if we are patient with the trials and tribulations that befall upon us. A part of being patient is accepting His Divine Decree, no matter how harsh the reality may seem. So, if you feel at a loss right now, do not grieve. Do not lose heart, for you have won a great victory of life. Allah says:

“Do not lose heart or despair- if you are true believers you have the upper hand-” (Q. 3:139).

We may not know the wisdom behind some of the things that happen to us in life, however, whatever happens is the Divine Decree of Allah, The Wise and Most Merciful.

When all hope seems lost, when evil prevails, remember Allah, The Most Merciful says: “My mercy encompasses all things” (Q. 7:156).

Sometimes, you might feel that nobody would understand the situation you are going through, and all you do is keep it to yourself without telling anyone. Remember, Allah knows and He is always near you. You can always let it out to the Creator of the Worlds, as He understands all the emotions you are facing.

The glorious Qur’an states that God “…knows what is in every heart.” (Q.67:13).

Allah the Almighty, in the following verse promised that every individual, especially the Prophets, will and have been afflicted with trials and tribulations so dire, we desperately need the help of Allah. Tests will surely occur in our lives, but Allah, The Most Knowledgeable ends the verse with a reassuring phrase, that He will always be near us, Insha Allah.

Allah says: “Do you suppose that you will enter the Garden without first having suffered like those before you? They were afflicted by misfortune and hardship, and they were so shaken that even [their] messenger and the believers with him cried, ‘When will God’s help arrive?’ Truly, God’s help is near.” (Q.2:214).

Texts like these in the Qur’an and Sunnah open the doors of hope for a person and steer him away from despair. They turn him in the right direction and lead him along the ideal path. They enable him to look towards the future with optimism: expecting the best from God, our Creator and Nourisher and hoping for His mercy as well as the best outcome that lies with Him.

By and large, expecting the best from Allah must not be confined to specific circumstances, occasions, or times. One must expect the best from Allah, The Most Beneficent while devoting oneself to Him, and hope for Allah’s blessings and pardon.

Similarly, one must also expect the best from Allah, The Most Merciful in all circumstances of life, including adversities. If a person is tested with things, one must not despair of God granting him mercy and relief. Rather, he must remain certain that whatever he faces would be a means to goodness.

Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “The extent of reward attained is proportional to the extent of trials experienced. Indeed, if Allah – the Most Exalted – loves a people, He makes them experience trials. If a person remains pleased throughout trials, Allah would be pleased with him; but if a person becomes angry due to them, Allah would be angry with him.”

A companion of the Prophet, Utbah Ibn Ghazwan (RA) said, “I saw myself as the last of only seven people with Allah’s Messenger (SAW). At that time, we had nothing to eat besides the leaves of trees, and they even caused lesions on the sides of our mouths. I had obtained a garment for myself and I split it to share with Saád ibn Maalik such that I wore one half as my lower garment and he wore the other half as his. However, today, each one of us is nothing less than a governor of an entire region.”

My brothers, continue to fear Allah, and always remember that a person with sound beliefs who strives to worship God in the best way must continue to expect the best from God in all situations, hope for what lies with Allah (SWT) and also fear the consequences of sins committed.

These glad tidings open the doors of hoping for Allah’s kindness and forgiveness. Al-Imaam ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy upon him) commented that hope drives peoples’ hearts towards Allah, The Most Kind and to the Hereafter; it also makes the journey more enjoyable. The difference between real hope and false hope is that the latter is accompanied by laziness. A person who has false hope does not tread the path of diligence and earnest striving. In contrast, real hope is accompanied by striving, diligent effort, and full trust in Allah, The Provider.

As Nigerian citizens, we should feel grateful for our country and make every effort to protect and preserve it. We must love our country and work for its unity and development.

We ask Allah to help and protect our country, guide and guard us and our leaders from every evil, calamity and difficulty; May He Almighty bring about safety, peace and security to our country. May Allah (SWT) save us from divisions, disunity, differences, corruption, violence, banditry, killings, terrorism and all kind of evils.

ACP Alhassan Yaqub PhD,

Force Chief Imam

FHQ Jumu’at Mosque Abuja