In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
I hear it often...
In fact, we all do...
Look around you and “see” the Creator...
I walked into the farm sometime about two weeks ago and saw so many fruits half eaten. Some were on the floor, and some were even still on the tree, but each had a colony of different insects feeding on it. And for those on the floor, even where two fruits are close to each other, there was no encroaching. One ant didn't miss its way and go eat the one next to it the next time.
And it reminded me of the ayah...
And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for them, and provide for them from sources they could never imagine. And whoever puts their trust in Allah, then He ˹alone˺ is sufficient for them. Certainly Allah achieves His Will. Allah has already set a destiny for everything. [Qur’an 65:3]
Like these fruits were not written for the farmer who had toiled and labored in whatever way he had, but for the insects and bats who would come and take from them.
‘Umar said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘If you were to rely upon Allah with the reliance He is due, you would be given provision like the birds: They go out hungry in the morning and come back with full bellies in the evening.”
What if we could rely on Allah ﷻ like this?
It will be so much easier to live without the hustle, competition, and all the other vices like gossip that envy brings.
What if we could just see Allah's "hand" in all that happens?
It is not every rain that would or should touch you.
Maybe you wouldn't always reap from what you sow. I mean, just because you plant something does not make you entitled to eating its fruit.
Not in this life, at least.
Which brings us to intentions?
It really does turn the most mundane into sources of ajr.
And here is another of my favourite hadith…
On the authority of Abu Abbas Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:
One day I was behind the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) [riding on the same mount] and he said, “O young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice]: Be mindful of Allah and Allah will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, then ask Allah [alone]; and if you seek help, then seek help from Allah [alone]. And know that if the nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, they would not benefit you except with what Allah had already prescribed for you. And if they were to gather together to harm you with anything, they would not harm you except with what Allah had already prescribed against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.” It was related by at-Tirmidhi, who said it was a good and sound hadeeth. Another narration, other than that of Tirmidhi, reads: Be mindful of Allah, and you will find Him in front of you. Recognize and acknowledge Allah in times of ease and prosperity, and He will remember you in times of adversity. And know that what has passed you by [and you have failed to attain] was not going to befall you, and what has befallen you was not going to pass you by. And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and hardship with ease.
O Allah, help me remember You, to be grateful to You, and to worship You in an excellent manner. Amin
With Love,
Nana
May Allah increase you in knowledge 🤍