I recently read a comment on Facebook responding to another person’s post about someone that went through a life saving surgery. The first comment in response to the post  was, “Thank God that this was able to happen.” The very next comment was “Don’t thank God, thank the surgeon who performed this surgery.”

My initial reaction to this comment was shock, I actually gasped. I thought, why would someone say NOT to thank God? To me, that was one of the most arrogant statements that someone could say!

My next reaction was to feel a sense of pity towards that person. I realized that this person is missing out on the bigger truth. The only truth. And, this person may never be able to get through his/her own arrogance and ignorance, to see the truth!

The truth is, Allah (God) should always be praised and one should always be thankful for what one has, because it is all from Allah. Allah gave that surgeon the ability to perform that life saving surgery. The surgeon could do nothing without Allah’s Will. So, the first comment “Thank God that this was able to happen” was the most appropriate comment. Allah should be thanked always for all that He has provided, and He has provided it all! This is the bigger truth!

We have all experienced pain and tragedy, some of us are going through this right now. When it strikes, it takes us to our deepest grief. And, at these times we must be ever aware. We must be thankful to Allah, and be pleased with Allah always, for everything! Even when we are going through these times, we must be pleased with Allah and thank Allah for giving us the strength to endure and to learn. This is the bigger truth!

As Muslims,we know that we must thank Allah for everything, because without Allah, there is nothing. We know that we will be tested with tough times, with very difficult times, yet with these tough times comes ease. This is the bigger truth!

Prophet Muhammad said: “How wonderful is the situation of the believer, for all his affairs are good. If something good happens to him, he gives thanks for it and that is good for him; if something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience, and that is good for him. This does not apply to anyone other than the believer.” (Muslim)

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“Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: “Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return). “Inna Lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’oon” (Al Baqarah: 156)

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We must understand that Allah is the best of planners. He knows what is best for us and He has provided us with the best of all role models in Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Allah has provided us with the best of guides in the Qur’an. We must be pleased with all of Allah’s commandments and decrees. This is the bigger truth!

We will not always be provided with what we want, but we will always be provided with what we need. Allah does not provide for us based on our desires, He provides based on His Will. He alone knows what is best for us. We must be thankful and we must be pleased.  Some things that we desire may not be good for us, and Allah knows best. He may replace what we think is best with something that IS the best! This is the bigger truth!

They are those on whom are the salawat(blessings) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided-ones”. (Al-Baqarah 2:157)

We cannot be like those who are content only during good times:

“And among mankind, is he who worships Allah as it were, upon the very edge (in doubt); if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him, he turns back on his face (reverts back to disbelief after embracing Islam). He loses both this world and the Hereafter. That is the evident loss.” (Al-Hajj 22:12);

We are mere human beings. In the face of tragedy, we can still grieve. In the face of tragedy, we can still be sad. In the face of tragedy, we can still “experience”! And, we must be mindful. In both loss and gain, in sorrow and in joy, in the midst of tragedy and in the midst of abundant good, be patient, be pleased, be thankful, seek forgiveness, and seek help only from Allah. This is the bigger truth!

On the authority of Abu `Abbas `Abdullah ibn `Abbas (RA) who said: One day I was behind the Prophet (PBUH) [riding on the same mount] and he said:

“O young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice]:

Be Mindful of Allah and Allah will protect you.

Be Mindful of Allah and you will find Him in front of you.

If you ask, then ask Allah [alone]; and if you seek help, then seek help from Allah [alone].

And know that if the Nation were to gather together to benefit you with anything, they would not benefit you except with what Allah had already prescribed for you. And if they were to gather together to harm you with anything, they would not harm you except with what Allah had already prescribed against you.

The Pens have been lifted and the Pages have dried.” (At-Tirmidhi)

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Patience

With the darkness, comes the light.

With the storm, comes the sun.

With the draught, comes the rain.

With the pain, comes the relief.

With the sadness, comes the joy.

With the harshness, comes the comfort.

Patience

Be thankful, be pleased!

SubhanAllah

Alhamdulillah

Allahu Akbar

 This is the bigger truth!