Life has its hard moments - Part 2

Bismillah,

In my last post, I talked about how life sometimes throws its curve balls. I shared my example of being in college and how I coped with its toughest moments. That was over 5 years ago.

Few months back, I had the opportunity to talk to a friend of mine who is studying Islam overseas. This brother is a champ. Him, his wife and family have seen a lot of hard times ever since he started studying. Even one of the sheikhs told me that if he was in my friend’s situation, he himself wouldn’t know if he could handle the test this brother is going through.

This is an excerpt from of our conversation that day.

4:37 PM Brother: i’m really enjoying my classes, alhamdulillah

we got finals coming up

week after next

4:38 PM me: inshallah you do well in them…

just remember, when ever you are losing motivation or hope, you are a in a blessed position….

and Allah is only testing you to increase your ranks

a lot of brothers pray to be there

but never make it

4:39 PM Brother: dude what you just said means a lot

seriously

me: i love you bro…a lot…let me know if I can do anything for you

4:40 PM Brother: jazakallah khair :).

I knew he was going through some painful times but he was being strong and not complaining about it. Nevertheless, I wanted to give him words of encouragement.

Few days later, he wrote me an email that touched me.

“…By the way, remember what you told me online…whenever I am losing motivation or hope, I am in a blessed position…and Allah is only testing me to increase my ranks and you said how a lot of brothers pray to be here and never make it. well, i copied your statement word for word and put it up as my desktop background. those words meant a lot bro...”

I was so glad my few honest words went such a long way. He used them as a reminder for himself. This shows one should never hesitate or take lightly the opportunity to share kind words with others. You don’t know how you can touch their life.

Beyond the words was that he made this idea, this concept something that hung front of his face all the time. Reframing his tests as opportunities to increase his ranks with Allah. Reframing his tight and challenging place of studying Islam as a blessing that so many are longing for.

This is the essence of believing, whatever Allah decrees for you is a special gift from Him. It is an opportunity to be closer to Him and in turn be more happier.

Reflect on the things that you find to be continuous annoyances, things you keep going after but not getting. What will you make of the opportunity ?

April 16th, 2008 - Posted in Challenges | | 1 Comments