Turning to Allah Almighty

A heartfelt plea

Turning to Allah Almighty

When facing challenges, we should take the appropriate steps to overcome them. However, we should also turn to our Lord. Our problems may involve domestic issues, money troubles, litigation, illnesses or facing oppression. Whatever difficulty we face, we should first implore our Creator, for all affairs are under His control. Who can remove our difficulties besides Him? Who can remove our pain and bring us peace? His majesty is such that He simply states ‘Be’, and whatever He has ordained happens immediately. By His command, not only do the sick become healthy, but the dead come back to life. By His command, the rivers and seas split to form paths. By His command, fire becomes cool and harmless. By His command, the inside of a whale becomes a place of refuge for man. It is He who destroyed an army with elephants through small birds and left many tyrants and oppressors to decay under the earth.

The fact that we as servants of a Lord of such majesty face all sorts of problems alludes to one thing: we are to blame ourselves for the state we are in. Distancing ourselves from Him and weakening our connection and trust in Him has led us to where we are. We explore every avenue to try and resolve our issues but do not turn to Him.

However, today, if we turn to Allah Almighty as we should, our life can be turned around. Our difficulties can end. We can have brighter days ahead with Allah’s mercy showering on us like rainfall. Allah Almighty has ordered us in the Holy Quran to return to Him:

وَ اَنِیْبُوْۤا اِلٰى رَبِّكُمْ وَ اَسْلِمُوْا لَهٗ

'And turn towards your Lord and submit in His majestic court.’^[1]

We should divert our attention towards Him. We ought to repent and become obedient to Him with our heart, soul and wealth.^[2] Allah Almighty Himself declares the one who turns to Him as His excellent person. Prophet Sulayman عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم is mentioned by Allah Almighty in this regard:

نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُؕ-اِنَّهٗۤ اَوَّابٌؕ(۳۰)

‘What an excellent bondsman. He is indeed most repenting (to Allah).’^[3]

Words of praise are mentioned in verse 44 of the same chapter regarding Prophet Ayyub عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلاَم turning to his Lord. Referring to the reward in the Hereafter for those who turn to their Lord, Allah Almighty states:

اِنَّ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ وَ اَخْبَتُوْۤا اِلٰى رَبِّهِمْۙ-اُولٰٓىٕكَ اَصْحٰبُ الْجَنَّةِۚ-هُمْ فِیْهَا خٰلِدُوْنَ(۲۳)

‘Indeed, those who believed, and performed good deeds, and turned themselves towards their Lord; they are the people of Paradise; they will abide therein forever.’^[4]

We too should turn to Allah Almighty for every need. The doors to His mercy are always opened for His people. Shortcomings only exist on our part. It is mentioned in a Hadith Qudsi that Allah Almighty stated: ‘When a person draws closer to Me by one handspan, I draw closer to him by one arm’s length. When he draws closer to Me by one arm’s length, I draw closer to him by the span of two outstretched arms. And when he walks towards Me, My mercy runs towards him.’^[5]

Turning to Allah Almighty at times of need also yields worldly benefit. On one occasion, the Prophet’s Companion Sayyiduna Abu Mi’laq Ansari رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ set out on a journey with business goods. He was stopped by an armed robber who said: ‘Hand over all of your goods to me and prepare to be killed.’ He رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ replied: ‘Your purpose is to acquire wealth. So, take all of my wealth and allow me to go.’ The robber responded: ‘No, I only intend to kill you.’ Sayyiduna Abu Mi’laq Ansari رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ stated: ‘As you have already decided on killing me, give me some respite so that I may offer salah.’ The robber allowed him to do so, and so the companion performed wudu, offered salah and supplicated to his Lord three times. Suddenly, a horse-rider brandishing a spear appeared. He advanced towards the robber and finished him off with one strike. Sayyiduna Abu Mi’laq Ansari رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ addressed the mysterious horse-rider by saying: ‘Allah Almighty assisted me during this difficulty through you. Who are you?’ The rider replied: ‘I am an angel from the fourth heaven. When you supplicated for the first time, I heard the heavens’ doors. When you supplicated the second time, I heard the shriek of those in the heavens. When you supplicated for the third time, I heard the following being said: “This is the supplication of someone distressed.” I requested Allah Almighty: “Grant me permission to finish off the robber.” Hence, I then came to assist you by the permission of Allah Almighty.’^[6]

A common misconception found amongst the masses is the assumption that Allah Almighty is pleased with them if they are living a life of luxury or have a successful business. Conversely, they think that Allah Almighty is displeased with them if they experience problems or worries. Although this can be the case, the opposite can also be true. Sayyiduna Malik bin Dinar رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْـه used to say: ‘If Allah Almighty loves His servant, He constricts his worldly affairs, lessens his worldly pastimes and states, “Do not become distant from Me.” As a result, that person becomes free to worship Allah Almighty. On the other hand, when Allah Almighty dislikes a servant, He places the world in front of him and states: “Stay away from Me so that I do not see you before Me.” You will see people of this category engrossed with land or business.’^[7]

When facing difficulties, I request all Muslims to sincerely turn to their merciful Lord instead of losing hope and then take practical steps to address their problems. The Ameer of Ahl Al-Sunnah دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـهْ stated in one of his letters: ‘We pursue expediencies and do not tire in chasing people of high status. However, there are shortcomings on our part in turning to our Lord with sincerity despite supplications having the ability to change destiny. All matters are under His control. During times of great difficulty, the representatives [of Dawat-e-Islami] should gather and recite Khatam Ghausiyyah etc. and make arrangements to offer Salat-ul-Asraar and Salat-ul-Haajat.’^[8]

May Allah Almighty allow us to rectify our inner and outward states. May He allow us to be thankful to Him at all times and turn to Him.

اٰمِیْن بِجَاہِ النَّبِیِّ الْاَمِیْن صَلَّی اللہ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلہٖ وَسَلَّم