WISHES

Or is there for man whatever he wishes? (Quran, 53:24)

In the name of the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful Allah

One of the beautiful comforts of life is to know He knows. Allah knows what is good for you. Allah knows your pain. Allah knows your good intentions. Allah knows your wishes and wants. Allah knows everything.

But you don’t.

قَالَ إِنِّي أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

Allah said, “Indeed, I know that which you do not know.” (2:30)

وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

And Allah Knows, while you know not. (2:216)

Man complains of not getting what he wants. Yet so many times, if he was granted what he wished, he will be ruined and destroyed.

وَلَوْ بَسَطَ اللَّهُ الرِّزْقَ لِعِبَادِهِ لَبَغَوْا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَٰكِن يُنَزِّلُ بِقَدَرٍ مَّا يَشَاءُ ۚ إِنَّهُ بِعِبَادِهِ خَبِيرٌ بَصِيرٌ

And if Allah had extended [excessively] provision for His slaves, they would have committed tyranny throughout the earth. But He sends [it] down in an amount which He wills. Indeed He is, of His servants, Acquainted and Seeing. (42:47)

Man complains of calamities and sadness. But perhaps through the ordeal Allah wishes to purify him and strengthen him, and Allah wishes for him to come close and display his patience.

وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ * فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ فَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِ مِن ضُرٍّ ۖ وَآتَيْنَاهُ أَهْلَهُ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنْ عِندِنَا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْعَابِدِينَ

And [mention] Ayyub, when he called to his Lord, “Indeed, adversity has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful.” Then We responded to him; so We lifted off the adversity that was upon him, And We gave him [back] his family and the like thereof with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for the worshippers. (21:84)

So many times man is depressed, anxious and worried. He is sad for his past and worried for his future. But man should take comfort in Allah’s overwhelming power, His infinite wisdom, His care and compassion, His doing what is best and His knowing all things. He should take solace in Allah’s predestination.

وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَىٰ أُمِّ مُوسَىٰ أَنْ أَرْضِعِيهِ ۖ فَإِذَا خِفْتِ عَلَيْهِ فَأَلْقِيهِ فِي الْيَمِّ وَلَا تَخَافِي وَلَا تَحْزَنِي ۖ إِنَّا رَادُّوهُ إِلَيْكِ وَجَاعِلُوهُ مِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ

And We inspired to the mother of Moses, “Suckle him; but when you fear for him, cast him into the river and do not fear and do not grieve. Indeed, We will return him to you and will make him [one] of the messengers.” (28:7)

Ibn Qayyim said: “Had Allah lifted the veil for his servant and shown him how He handles his affairs for him, and how Allah is more keen for the benefit of the servant than his own self, his heart would have melted out of the love for Allah and would have been torn to pieces out of thankfulness to Allah.

Therefore, if the pains of this world tire you do not grieve.

For it may be that Allah wishes to hear your voice by way of duaa (supplication).

So pour out your desires in prostration and forget about it and know; that verily Allah does not forget it.”