[Faith Friday] Al-Munfarija: The Reliever with Imam Suhaib Webb

"Why do bad things happen?"

"Allahu'alam," Imam Suhaib Webb said. 

We won't always get the answers we want but if we continue to listen or look carefully, we'll know in due time. This is what I've learned in the one-day course "al-Munfarija" (The Reliever) by Ella Collins  Institute and Muslim Professionals Forum last week. Nobody has the perfect life and we're all bound to face hardship and challenges in some or another. What makes things worse is when we compare our lives to someone else's. 

But what if these "bad things" aren't necessarily bad? What if they're a means to better things and a better you? I know, it's hard to see it this way when you're under a lot of pressure and you can't seem  to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I've been there and all I can say is, it's not a pretty place to be but if you just hang on a little bit more when you're about to give up, things do get better, God willing.

Some things are completely out of your control but some aren't. Surround yourself with people who uplift you. Help others when they're in need. Draw yourself closer to Allah (subhana wa taala) instead of distancing yourself from Him because dua (supplication) and qadr (fate) are constantly fighting. Isn't it great that Prophet Muhammad (salallahu alayhi wasalaam) has informed us about the best times to make dua?

"And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided." (2:186)

One of my favourite lines from the poem Al-Munfarija by Imam Nahawi is: "There is no deviance in their step." This means life's affairs reach us in a perfect way, in a step by step fashion. Things do not happen in a haphazard way, but what befalls us, whether good or bad, is rooted in divine wisdom.

I've never thought of it that way. Sure, we tell ourselves "everything happens for a reason" but when we say nothing happens haphazardly it truly highlights the role God plays in our lives and if He has allowed something to happen we should trust Him and continue to seek his aid and guidance.  

"Allah listens to the one who praises Him." — Prophet Muhammad (saw) (Bukhari and Muslim) 

My sister and I with the real deal, Imam Suhaib Webb

When was the last time you turned to Allah, and I mean really, really turned to Allah? Times of hardship are the best opportunities for us to do so. Often times when we feel like we have no one else to turn to, we turn to Him and we learn to be more sincere with Him as our duas become more meaningful when our needs are heightened. Hence our relationship with the Creator strengthens and we find clarity again. Next time, we'll turn to Him first and foremost.
That's the gist of what I learned at the "al-Munfarija" course so if Imam Webb ever holds the class in your town try your best to not miss it. No one is perfect but he is surely gifted, mashaAllah. I felt like a heavy weight had been lifted off my shoulders just by listening to his explanation of the poem. Alhamdulillah. Have a blessed Friday everyone! Remember to love the life you've been given and all the ups and downs that come with it because the One who gave you life created them to make you *better* not bitter.