“Kak Sumi, have you ever just not cared and then magic happens?” said my friend Filzah from Homies in Jannah.
Wow. This obviously is the complete opposite me. haha… Let me explain. That’s because, I believe nothing is going to happen until I put in the work. And this is a good trait that Allah swt has given me. Wanting to see something go through till the end.
HOWEVER, this is also is the cause of my stress, anxiety, and sadness unless I understand something that is so profound.
لا حَوْلَ وَلا قُوَّةَ إِلا بِالله
Nothing happens, there’s no power except with Allah swt.
This might get me in trouble, but I’m beginning to think not necessarily the work that we put in, no matter how hard the effort, will give us the result that we want. THERE! I said it out loud. At least, this is what I believe at the age of 38. And yet, the legacy of Rasulullah (saw) and the sahabah were, they were the most hardworking individuals I have ever heard about. They did not have a lax attitude towards goal setting and hard work. How are they doing this?
How do we as Muslims work super hard, and not have any expectation on what Allah swt has in store for our Qadr (fate)? How do we work hard, engrossed with our work, yet maintain a healthy balance of sabr (resilience)?
It’s easy for me to talk about Islam, when I’m not engaged with worldly pursuits. But when I’m hustling, balancing hard work and tawakkul, it’s super hard. Praying on time is super hard. Caring about halal and haram is hard. Fulfilling Allah’s commandments is hard. Engaging with people and keeping my heart free of ill-feelings is hard.
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِىْ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِىْ الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَّقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ.
Our Lord, grant us good in the world, and good in the Hereafter. And save us from the punishment of the Hellfire.
I can safely say, while in pursuit of my worldly aspirations, I fall short on so many things. I strive and I fumble, get up again. Strive and fumble. Get up again. Strive and fumble. Because even the most hardworking man, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon hm) took 15 years of sacrifice, prosecution, and torture before the Muslim community gained their first victory in the Battle of Badr.
When all else fails, I think about what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and the companions (may Allah be pleased with them) went through. Then I look at my air-conditioned home, an unMarie Kondoed kitchen pantry full of food, coordinated coloured furniture and all, “Sumi oh Sumi, you’re alright!” hahaha…
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