Understanding Life
A life dilemma experienced by many people: amidst its crashing waves, the succession of events within it, and their intertwining, many of us become confused, disturbed, and bewildered, and at times even blind. This reaches a point where some devoid of faith hasten to escape the world entirely, God forbid, through suicide, which Islamic Shariah prohibits based on Quranic verses such as His Exalted saying: “And do not kill yourselves. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful” (Surah An-Nisa, 29), and in a hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever kills himself with a weapon will come on the Day of Resurrection holding that weapon in his hand, stabbing it into his abdomen in the Fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein. And whoever kills himself with poison will have the poison in his hand, drinking it in the Fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein” (authenticated by Al-Albani).
Thus, when paths narrow for us and bewilderment crowds our hearts, the believing monotheist quickly discovers that the most profound form of salvation and strength lies in relying on the Almighty Power, by renouncing our own power and might and entrusting them to Allah’s power and might. The believer realizes that he is seeking refuge in a firm stronghold, thereby entrusting his affairs to Allah. Tranquility descends upon him, and peace settles in his heart, allowing him to sleep soundly, for he knows that his case is in the hands of a Just Lord who does not neglect, and a Merciful One to whom nothing on earth or in heaven is impossible.
For anyone wishing to understand life correctly, he must ease his soul by fully entrusting and submitting to the Lord of the heavens and the earth in every decree He ordains for him. The Lord of Goodness brings only good. He should relinquish the weapon of his own planning, for Allah’s planning is the greatest of all plans, and leave management to Him, the Exalted. His only duty is to take material means within his capacity, for Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear. He should be content with Allah’s choice for him, for it is the greatest of choices. By the One in whose name I swear, how many matters we once considered the pinnacle of happiness and the completion of blessings, when Allah diverted them from us and we accepted this diversion with submission and gratitude to Allah, we discovered that if they had remained with us, we would have been the most wretched of people because of them!
You will not understand life correctly until you fully surrender the reins of your affairs to Allah, the Exalted, being content with whatever He has decreed for you, confident in the goodness of His choice for you, and entrusting all your matters to Him. Be assured that when Allah takes charge of your affairs, He shows you goodness and kindness you never expected. Understand life correctly, and you will live happily.
