The Pens Have Been Lifted and The Pages Are Dry

Have you ever wondered about how you got to where you are right now? Like right now. This very moment.

There are times when I wonder far ahead into the unforeseeable future and there are times when I look back into my past and reminisce. Either way, my mind will then transport me back to the present moment and I think, 

Whoa. Is this what time does to us?

Right here. 

Right now. 

Is this where I want to be? 

Is this who I want to be?




And then I think...

Maybe this is where I need to be.

Maybe this is who I need to be.

No matter how I feel about my situation right now - happy and grateful or unhappy and dissatisfied - I know that everything has happened by the will of God.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) once said: "O young man, I will teach you some words (of wisdom). Keep Allah in mind, He will preserve you. Keep Allah in mind, you will find Him in front of you. If you (have need to) ask, ask of Allah. And if you must seek help, seek help from Allah. Know that even if the (whole) community is united to (do something to) benefit you in any matter, they would not benefit you in ought save what Allah has written for you, and even if they were united to harm you in any matter they would not harm you in ought save what Allah has already written for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages are dry."  {Tirmidhi}

According to a line of transmission other than that of al-Tirmidhi (it reads):

"Keep Allah in mind and you will find Him in front of you. Get acquainted with Allah in days of ease and He will know you in days of distress. Know that what missed you could not have hit you, and what hit you could not have missed you. Know that victory comes with patience, relief follows distress, ease follows hardship."

To prioritise what I want over what I need is a flaw of mine.  Sometimes I don't even know what I need and that's why I'm grateful to have Allah (subhanahu wa taala) - Al Wali (The Protecting Friend), Ar-Rashid  (The Guide to the Right Path), As-Samad (The Satisfier of All Needs), Al-Mani' (The Preventer of Harm), Ar-Razzaq (The Sustainer).

Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum 

Birahmatika 'astaghith 'aslih li sha'ni kullahu wala takilni 'ila nafsi tarfata 'aini.

'O Ever Living, O Self-Subsisting and Supporter of all, by Your mercy I seek assistance, rectify for me all of my affairs and do not leave me to myself, even for the blink of an eye."

For good things to happen in our lives sometimes we need to change the environment we are in. Other times we need to change our attitude, embrace where and who we are at this very moment and make the most of what we have by using the abilities, gifts and blessings He has given us.

Recommended reads:
Divine Destiny
The Benefits of Belief in Divine Decree and Pre-Destination
10 Things Happy People Do Differently
20 Ways Life is Amazing (Even When It Hurts)
Courting Chaos: Embrace the Unexpected and Grow Into Yourself