IT WON'T STOP
and you have a choice
PART I
IT WON’T STOP AND YOU HAVE A CHOICE
We seem to have high expectations of and (almost) unwavering convictions in presumed causalities — since I’ve graduated (with a distinction infact), it should instantly get me a well paying job. Since I am married to the love of my life, life henceforth should be smooth sailing and a thorn-free bed of roses. Since I am a ‘good person’, ‘bad’ things should never happen to me. Since..
And it is interesting considering how often, real life insists on defying your expectations. Or does it not? Just mine? Ok.
In some other reality (read: Jannah), you can wish things into existence.
But habibty, you are not there yet. The toil has not ended.
This is not it.
There are’nt any perfect or ideal cases of “if-then”. It’s not on this menu.
What you will find on this menu, is an array of trials and complimentary experiences that prepare and refine you for the trial. An all-you-can-eat kind in fact.
Because, you are always in the middle of or approaching a trial (coming from gbas, approaching gbos) — and the great consolation for you, as a believer is knowing that you get to choose if the trial happens to you or for you.
The prophet ﷺ talks about your situation in a hadith,
“Amazing is the affair of the believer” he said, “Indeed his affairs, all of them are good for him. If he is tried with ease, he is grateful and that is good for him. And if he is tried with difficulty, he is patient and that is good for him. And this is the case only for the believer.”
Will you choose discontentment and impatience or patience and gratitude?
PART II
THIS IS WHAT I FORGOT TO MENTION
We had almost wrapped up when I realized I had told everyone (on instagram & whatsapp) but you (my beloved maillisters) that we are preparing for Ramadan at Maktabah with an intensive season of learning about and loving Allaah — how else can we deepen our connection with the Qur’aan (the speech of Allaah), elevate our worship (of Allaah) and level up our du’aa (to Allaah) other than by literally, getting to know Him?
Sheikh Sālih al-Uthaimīn رحمه الله in his book 'Qawā’id al-muthlā (one of our books for this season) says:
It is not possible for anyone to worship Allaah in a complete way, until he has acquired knowledge of the Names and Attributes of Allaah, the Exalted, in order to worship Him upon clarity.
To apologize, I’m extending the discount voucher at the end of this post to the first 5 people to sign up.
I can’t waittttt to meeet you at our virtual meet and greet this Friday, in shaa Allaah!!!!
And Darling,
I hope you do not forget that the trials won’t stop and you always have a choice —
and Allaah is with those who choose patience, rewards those who choose gratitude and loves those who excel in good deeds.
Your sister in striving,
Fatimah,
On the road to Ihsān
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