Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Tranquility

BismillahirRahmanirRahim
Assalaamu alaykum

I pray that this finds you in tranquility. Ameen.

If we follow the rules of Allah even though we might go through difficulties, Allah promises us ease. "So, truly with every difficulty is ease; truly with every difficulty is ease." Qur'an Ar-Sharh 94:5-6

In the Battle of Badr, the first meeting between the Muslims and the non-believers, it was a very difficult moment for the Muslims because they didn't know what the outcome would be. They saw with their eyes an adversary, more in numbers (more than 3x their number) and better in preparation while they were few (about 300 men). In this difficult times with difficult feelings in their heart, Allah gave them tranquility--Allah gave them sleep.

"Allah had helped you at Badr, when ye were a contemptible little force; then fear Allah; thus May ye show your gratitude." Qur'an AleImran 3:123

"After (the excitement) of the distress, He sent down calm on a band of you overcome with slumber, while another band was stirred to anxiety by their own feelings, Moved by wrong suspicions of Allah-suspicions due to ignorance." Qur'an AleImran 3:154

At the battle of Hunain, the Muslim had a big army and they felt confident of victory. When the enemy arrows were falling on the Muslims from every direction, Muslims were caught by surprise and most of the 12,000 Muslim army started fleeing from the battlefield. They lost trust in Allah. Camels were stumbling on one another--it was a chaotic scene and the alignment of the Muslim army was gone. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, started calling them who were running towards the sea. It was a very difficult time. But Allah revealed tranquility on the Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and on the believer and He supported them with soldiers, and this changed the situation in ways unimaginable.

"Assuredly Allah did help you in many battle-fields and on the day of Hunain: Behold! your great numbers elated you, but they availed you naught: the land, for all that it is wide, did constrain you, and ye turned back in retreat. Then Allah sent down His Tranquility on the Messenger and on the Believers, and sent down forces which you did not see: He punished the Unbelievers; and that is the recompense of the unbelievers." Qur'an at-Tawbah 9:25-26

Even though the world around you can be a great mess, Allah can give you sakinah, tranquility, peace in your heart. On the other hand things could be great and peaceful, but Allah can put in the heart the exact opposite feeling--feeling of despair. So we cannot judge the affair from the outside but what is important is what is inside you. Tranquility descend upon those with Iman, those who have trust in Allah (tawwakkul), depend on Allah and are grateful to Allah. If we depend on Allah and attribute our successes to none other than Allah, the help of Allah will come in times of difficulties. Otherwise, even on a land that is wide and spacious, you will feel congested and constrained.

May Allah pour upon us tranquility, make the best of our lives the end of it, the best of our deeds the last of them and the best of our days the day we meet Him. Ameen.

Allah knows best.

Wassalaam