Our faith – why not spontaneous decrees are revealed in our favour, has put us in conflicting situations…
BY Noor UL Shahbaz
This world is diverse, the people and other things in it are diverse, the overall life of people is sundry and it is a unique phenomenon of the best creator Almighty Allah. Since the evolution of mankind till date no one resembles with another creature, millions and billions of faces are around us it is very hard rather impossible to find a duplicate of our own. Billions of people have appeared on earth since time immemorial. Therefore, Allah created billions of pairs of eyes, billions of different fingerprints, billions of different eye tissues, billions of different humans. If He so willed, He could also create billions more. The words of Quran are, “Praise be to Allah, who created (out of nothing) the heavens and the earth, who made the angels, messengers with wings, two or three or four pairs: He adds to creation as He pleases: for Allah has power over all things.” [35:01] Allah also possesses the power to create many other things beyond our limited imagination. The entire extent of the treasures Allah has bestowed in this world for His servants is all within His sight. He sends down to us only that which He wills, all within a measure predetermined. Allah has created many worlds and beings which we cannot see.
Allah created the order of the universe in superb detail to allow man to grasp His greatness. A verse of holy Quran to this order reads, “… so that you may know that Allah has power over all things, and that Allah comprehends all things in His knowledge.” [65:12] Faced with the sublimit of the details of this order, man becomes in awe, recognizing that Allah’s wisdom, and knowledge and might is infinite. So expansive is Allah’s knowledge that what for us is “infinite” is in His sight already ended. Every event that has taken place since the creation of time, until deep into eternity, was predetermined and ended in Allah’s sight. Man must seek to appreciate the extent of Allah’s knowledge and reflect to comprehend His greatness. Allah mentions the infiniteness of His knowledge in the holy Quran as follows, “and if all the trees on earth were pens and the ocean (were ink), with seven oceans behind it to add to its (supply), yet would not the words of Allah be exhausted (in the writing): for Allah is exalted in power, full of wisdom”. [31:27 Luqmaan] The power and authority of Almighty Allah is running this universe and world hereafter and after the final Day of Judgment His power and authority is everlasting, eternal, and imperishable. The words of Almighty Allah in Quran are, “It is we who have created you: why do ye not testify to this truth? Do ye then see? The (human seed) that ye throw out, – Is it ye who created it, or are we the creators? We have decreed death to be your common lot, and we are not to be frustrated from changing your forms and creating you (again) in (forms) that ye know not. And ye certainly know already the first form of creation: why then do ye not celebrate His praises? See ye the seed that ye sow in the ground? Is it ye that cause it to grow, or are we the cause? Was it our will, we could crumble it to dry powder, and ye would be left in wonderment, (saying), “We are indeed left with debts (for nothing): “Indeed are we shut out (of the fruits of our labour)”. See ye the water which ye drink? Do ye bring it down (in rain) from the cloud or do we? Was it our will, we could make it salt (and unpalatable): then why do ye not give thanks? See ye the fire which ye kindle? Is it ye who grow the tree which feeds the fire, or do we grow it? We have made it a memorial (of our handiwork), and an article of comfort and convenience for the denizens of deserts. Then celebrate with praises the name of thy Lord, the Supreme! [56: 57-74] This human being is so stressed because we believe everything needs to happen right now.
We forget that everything happens in perfect timing. We always want everything to happen instantly. If we do not see anything changing on the outside, we start to lose faith in the power to manifest our reality. We might even start doubting if it’s real, or possible. We are stuck in conflicting situations because of our belief that why not spontaneous happening or fulfilment of our desires, aspirations is not in our favour and we reject the supreme authority and power of Almighty Allah. Nothing can calm us and give us inner peace besides the solid faith on Allah, His word (Quran) and life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), an inner peace that can send a surge of tranquillity and calmness all throughout our physical, mental and spiritual souls. Everyone has their own way of finding inner peace but for me and a lot of other Muslims, we find it through Allah and the perfect way of Islam.
Almighty’s words in Quran are, “and he provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if anyone puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion.” [65: 03]. Trust is a huge entity; it takes a lot of thought, vulnerability and care to give up. It is not easy to trust what you do not know, or what you have no control over. That is what is so beautiful about Islam to which we are followers. Muslim must have a strong belief that Almighty Allah’s plan is the best plan that could ever be fruitful for me. It does not mean not to make an effort in life, but rather it means: do all that you can and the best you can with what you can control. Then rest, leave up to Allah, he will accomplish that what is best for you. Quran says, “so lose not heart, nor fall into despair: for ye must gain mastery if ye are true in faith” [03: 139]. We get down and we get sad, that is all a part of what makes us human. When we find ourselves in a position like that, we have to implement the teachings of the Quran and follow the life style of beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his pious followers. He is always ready to guide us, watching over us, no matter how much we sin, He is there to forgive us and start a-new. Knowing that He is all around should give us some comfort. That whatever happens to us is what was meant to happen and that no matter how far we astray ourselves from Islam or Allah, He will always be with us and wanting the best for us. “No kind of calamity can occur, except by the leave of Allah and if anyone believes in Allah, (Allah) guides his heart (aright): for Allah knows all things” [64: 11]. In Islam one of the pillars Emaan is belief in preordainment or divine destiny. This means that we as humans are left to our free wills by Allah but are also subjected to a predestined decree: our fate, our destiny. It is important to understand that we are not in control of everything, that ultimate power and authority is with Allah. The things that we are not able to control, have to be accepted as they are, it is ill-advised for us to question why bad things happen to us, as everything that happens: is by the will of Allah. Everything that happens: is for a purpose, as a lesson to make us stronger or to bring ourselves closer to Allah, trust in Him and whatever is destined is for our benefit. In Quran Allah says, “O ye who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer, for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.” [02: 153]. Prayer, repentance, to praise His blessings, and be thankful for the life, limbs is the best way for us to feel calm and attain peace. This phenomenon is sporadic; it can happen anytime when you move towards Him with pious intentions. All I want to say is that, relieve your heart and mind from worldly stress and the hardships of this life. Remind yourself of the greatness and beautifulness of Heaven and what we have to be questioned for in Hereafter.
Noor UL Shahbaz,M.A, LL.M (GOLD MEDALIST) is a Guest Lecturer and former Acting Principal at Sopore Law College and can be reached at im1415151819@gmail.com
