The finishing line

‎In the Name of Allaah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.   

"When (will come) the Help of Allah?" Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near!" Q2:214   

‎

As humans, we cannot change our destiny but we can choose to be happy with our destiny however it turns out to be. When Allaah created the Pen, He commanded it to write, so it wrote down the decrees of all things including what's  going to be ours and what isn't. In reference to the hadith in Abu Dawud authenticated by Al-Albani in Sahih Abi Dawud.‎

At what point does someone know that something wasn't written for him or her? The answer is simply just after the finishing line but not at the finishing line. 

This assertion if true, then dictates that man should not lose hope and neither should he despair when asking Allaah for anything that doesn't seem forthcoming because to Allaah, His Promise is bounding never to be overwhelmed by the "like" or the "dislike" of the entire human race. 

The point here is, a lot of people have been praying to Allaah to rescue them from certain situation or to make a favorable decision on their behalf on certain issues even when the finishing line seem very tight and close and as such some might be unsettled inwardly with the thought of "Am I really going to have my request granted by Allaah because the tunnel is only getting darker and the wind seem to be blowing in the opposite direction in which the boat is sailing." 

But amazingly we have not taken time or rather we have not appreciated the fact that Allaah has a Sunnah (pattern and way of doing things as He wills) and this sunnah He has shown its manifestation in the lives of those that are most beloved to Him and these are none other than His prophets (AS). ‎

‎

"And Allaah does what He Wills" Q14: 27

So no change will you find in Allaah's Sunnah (way of dealing), and no turning off will you find in Allaah's Sunnah (way of dealing) Q35:43

To substantiate this claim, we will find in the 21st chapter of the Qur'an the amazing story of the friend of Allaah, Ibrahim (AS) in relation to the topic of our interest. At a time when Ibrahim (AS) was the only Muslim on the face of earth, the entire enemy forces gathered against him by gathering a huge amount of wood and made a hole in the ground and set it aflame and it burned with huge sparks and immense flames.

It was said in the Tafseer (exegesis) of ibn Katheer that there had never been a fire like it. Ibrahim (AS) was put into a catapult and hauled into the fire but as the Hausa's would say "Ko a bakin kura, ka gode wa Allaah" (even when being swallowed by hyena, praise Allaah) Ibrahim (AS) said "sufficient for me is Allaah, and He is the best disposer of affairs."

But just at the finishing line, Allaah's command was swift. Allaah said: "O fire! Be you cool and safety for Ibrahim". Ibn Abbas said there was no fire left on earth that was not extinguished.

Yet another apt example to illustrate the above assertion was the case of Yaqub (AS) in the 12th chapter of the Qur'an when after losing Yusuf (AS) he lost his sight because he was aggrieved, sorrowful and sad and Imam Qatadah said in all these, Yaqub did not complain to a created being. He did not only lose his most beloved son Yususf (AS) but also lost Binyamin the full brother of Yusuf and Rubil who remained in Egypt waiting to secure the release of his brother who was accused of theft.

But just at the finishing line, Allaah's succor was brought his way when he said "patience is most fitting (for me). May be Allaah will bring (back) all to me. Truly, He! Only He is All-Knowing, All-Wise." Q12:83 at the critical moment, when after begging Allaah to bring back Yusuf, Allaah took his second son and in the process he also became blind but he never despaired nor doubted that Allaah will rescue him and Allaah did rescue him.

Allaah not only returned back his lost sight but also united him with Yusuf and Binyamin.

The story of Ayub is not far-fetched. He had plenty of livestock, cattle and crops, many children and beautiful house, and he was tested in these things, he lost everything he had including his health but his trust in Allaah.

But just at the finishing line, Allaah said: "He cried to his lord: "Verily, distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy." This statement of his prompted an instant response from Allaah and He answered his call and removed the distress that was on him and he was compensated with others like the family lost and his first family were left for him in Paradise. The view shared by Mujahid as quoted in ibn Katheer.

Conclusively, no one was ever tested with more trials and tribulations like the most beloved of Allaah Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). On one occasion the odds seem against the prophet and his companions (RA) during the day of Uhud when the hypocrites said: "Verily, the people have gathered against you, therfore fear them." But it (only) increased them in faith, and they said: "Allaah is Sufficient  for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs." Q3:713‎

Just at the finishing line, Allaah came to their rescue and He said: "So they returned with grace and bounty from Allaah. No harm touched them; and they followed the pleasure of Allaah. And Allaah is the Owner of great bounty." Q3:174

Brothers and sisters in Islam, no matter how difficult your situation seems, however long you've been asking Allaah to grant you your lawful heart desires, however dark the tunnel seems, however insurmountable the hurdles on the path seem, my message to one and all is that:"‎Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near!" Q2:214 

Penabdul@yahoo.com

@amraabdul

I:G @penabdul