Glad Tidings to Believers 

By Arbeena Altaf Bhat

“Every time Tawhid becomes stronger in the heart of a slave, his iman, calmness, trust (in Allah), and conviction become stronger.” Says Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله. 

NEVERTHELESS, these are the words of peace and tranquility for a serene believer, the slave who sticks all his hopes and expectations to His Generous creator, the Omnipotent Lord, the most Merciful and the Giver of Peace, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. Tawhid is not just believing in oneness of Allahﷻ, it demands khuloos in knowing that whatever trail, tribulation and fitn comes your way, you’ve the One whose power turns mountains to ashes, the One who parted the Red Sea, the One who cooled the fire and turned it into a garden, the One who split the moon in half, the one Who decorates the sky with gazillion stars, the One who brought the sun back from horizon for His beloved slave, the One who never abandons you even if you leave yourself, the One who wrote the Quran; the letters to comfort you, the One who chose you to be among His best creation, the One who gives you provision, the One who cures you when you’re sick, the One who brings Noor when it seems dark everywhere, the One who comforts your distressed heart, the One who loves you immensely, covertly and organically.

I was always afraid that after sacrificing everything when I’ll not be able to give anything, would anyone care if I exist? The long road has exhausted my feelings and expectations but all this didn’t render me hopeless. Allahﷻ had blessed me with islam when I was born, and I never felt it before. When I found myself anxious and distressed without any reason, my heart was telling me to follow the Light. There was no consciousness of Allahﷻ, I felt like a blind person holding a rope, which led nowhere. I’d lost myself somewhere ages ago. I used to feel so low and abandoned. There was no one to talk to, especially in our society when a person has a million unanswered things, and he somehow gains the audacity to ask them is considered “باور” (insane) . I was exploding inside and numb outside. Eventually, I realized that I’m completely alone in this world. Not physically, but on a spiritual level. Completely isolated, not by choice. But this is the Qadr of Allahﷻ, part of my test in this Dunya. It’s not easy to remain steadfast when it’s just you. And you have so many outside forces trying to drag you down. But Alhamdulillah, it is Allahﷻ who gives strength to carry on even when we are alone. Who guides us back to the light, when we are caught in darkness, Subhan’Allah.

Allahﷻ gifted me with His consciousness. Heﷻ blessed me with Hisﷻ love that mended all the brokenness inside me. Now, every breath he makes me take obeys Himﷻ and everything seems so perfect and right in place, ماشاءالله. Even when it comes to His people, Allahﷻ directs us to be good to His creation, speak good words to them, be humble…. When your motive is to please the Creator and your intentions are pure, Allahﷻ softens your heart and He ﷻ guides you to love and respect everyone Fi Sabilillah(for the sake of Allahﷻ) and that never tires a humble believer, سبحان الله. Allahﷻ has promised to send tranquility on the hearts of His true slaves, those who come with Qalb e Salim and, undoubtedly, His promise his Haqq. A person should have at least a modicum of self-love in order to save himself from the hellfire and rather steer towards Paradise and wallahi Allahﷻ has made it so easy for us that we are unaware.

There are a few kind of people who don’t like to go out on holidays, they just like to sit in their rooms and spend time with Allahﷻ. And when they go out, they miss their joyful isolation with Allah’s remembrance, the peace that it brings to their existence, their distressed hearts. These are the same people who believe in the friendship of Allahﷻ alone, they are the same ones who don’t wait for anyone to ask about them, they are the ones who always smile, free in imagination, try to never hurt anyone. Those who do not have a reliable person to tell their sorrows and believe in addressing their grief only to Allahﷻ ; Sitting alone but never lonely, groveling in space, talking to the earth, the sky, flowers, trees, the moon…..about Allahﷻ, they get the same comfort that one gets from lamenting and sobbing the deceased. Allahﷻ suffices their incompleteness.

How beautiful is it that Allāhﷻ will eagerly forgive you for the things you can’t even forgive yourself for! We very often remember the tears and distress someone brought to us, but we never usually remember the tears we cause other people intentionally and unintentionally. Beware of the wrong you do to people. The one verse we all should always always remember is, “and your Allahﷻ never forgets” try not to hurt anyone, fear the distress you cause them. Always always reflect on what you say or do. And whenever things go wrong, make them right as soon as you realize it. Allahﷻ commands us in the Quran to forgive graciously, so what hinders you? If you love Allahﷻ with “Khuloos,” what is keeping you back?

Seek forgiveness of whom you did wrong and seek forgiveness of Allah so that you may succeed. Open your heart to yourself. Forgive. Forgive everyone who did you wrong, fisabillah. Forgive yourself. How many more days are you going to choke your soul in self-guilt?Allahﷻ forgives every sin, don’t despair of His Mercy. Emerge as a strong believer and free up the cached space in your heart and your mind for the better things to come. Every single pain and sadness that Allahﷻ afflicts us with has a purpose. Pain is a messenger from Allahﷻ, humble yourself and recognize it. Miseries are not here to stay. The core of every single struggle that we go through is Allahﷻ trying to pull us back to Him. The intensity of tribulations depicts how much Allah loves you. Blessing is that every moment of grief that pushes you to prostrate in front of your Creator. I really, sincerely believe that Allah will not allow a single tear to drop from your eyes if He is not to dry it up. Your Allah is as much real as your struggle is and you know what is most Khubsurat is that, “Your Rabb has not Abandoned you.” And “And ˹surely˺ your Rabb will give so much to you that you will be pleased.” These are the words of Solace and Sukoon sent to you from As-Salaam; the All Perfect and the Giver of Peace.

Love for the one who created you and chose you to be best of His creation, your mercifully loving Lord, your Rabb should be seamless and consistent. Ibn Khalid has said,”Be mindful of Himﷻ in all your movements and times of stillness, at every moment, with every blink of the eye, with every thought, wish or any other state. Feel His nearness to you! Know that He looks and is aware of you, that nothing that you conceal is Hidden from Him. He is with you with His knowledge, awareness, and power. If you are righteous, He will guide, assist, and protect you.” The patience in obeying the commands of Allāh ﷻ is easier than the patience in enduring His punishment. When Allah’s name is engraved in hearts, then in everything we see, we see Him. Wallahi, obeying Allahﷻ and His Messenger ﷺ is the key to ultimate peace and enlightment . There’s nothing in the hustle bustle of this Dunya, everything is with Allahﷻ and with the prophecy that we have to return to Him ﷻ, a person should imperatively prepare for it.

“And give glad tidings to those who turn to Him with humbleness.”  [22:34]

“And [all] faces will be humbled before the Ever-Living, the Self-Sustaining. And he will have failed who carries injustice.”  [20:111]

One of my favorite names of Allah ﷻ is Al-Fattah الفتاحThe Opener. He’s the one who can open a path for you when you see no way out. He’s the one who can untie you from the things that hold you back. He’s the one who can open your eyes to seeing His love and reflection in the world. He’s the one who can open your heart to receiving His mercy and guidance. So may Allahﷻ, the Opener, grant us the openings we need.

Aamīn

• The author studies medicine at SUMS, Iran and can be reached at [email protected] 

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