بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Inspired by a reflection From Khalisa M. https://quranreflect.com/posts/39229 


How many times do we stop and ask ourselves —

فَمَا ظَنُّكُم بِرَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
'What then do you expect from the Lord of all worlds?' [Surah As-Saffat 37:87]

Yes —
Life hurts.
It leaves wounds we can't explain.
It may make you feel abandoned… forced to stitch your soul back together… alone.

But even when life turns its back on us,
Don’t we still see doors open?
Maybe not at once —
But later… we realize: it was all a test.

And the real question was never about the pain.
It was always:

How did we think of Allah… while it was happening?

🔥 Ibrāhīm (عليه السلام) —
Thrown into fire.
Not just hated by his people — but by his own father.
Can you imagine that pain?

'If you do not desist, I will surely stone you! So be gone from me for a long time.'
[Surah Maryam 19:46]

He chose His Lord above all else.
He lost what we fear losing most.
And in return? He was honored — in this life and the next.
His name… eternal.
His descendants… filled with prophets.
His legacy… carved into every Hajj, every heart that turns to Makkah.

Then look at Yūsuf (عليه السلام) —
Thrown into a well.
Sold as a slave.
Imprisoned for a crime he never committed.

And what does he say?

'He was truly kind to me… when He freed me from prison.'
[Surah Yusuf 12:100]

Subḥān Allāh.
He didn’t even mention the well.
No bitterness. No blame. Just gratitude.

And where does Allah place him?
From the still, dark water of the well
To the throne of a kingdom.

Because those who trust Allah… are never left behind.

Now what about you and me?

When life throws us into the pit —
When the fire surrounds us —
Do we still say His name?
Do we still hold ḥusn aẓ-ẓann — a good opinion — of our Lord?

I once came across a reflection by Khalisa M., and it hit my heart:
https://quranreflect.com/posts/39229 

Yes, life tests us.
But the test fades.
And what remains… is how we thought of Allah during it.

Do we still believe He's Ar-Raḥmān when things go wrong?
Do we still believe He's Al-Wakīl — the best of Disposers — when the world lets go?

After the pain of Uḥud, the believers were wounded, exhausted, and vulnerable.
But still… they marched with the Prophet ﷺ to Ḥamrāʾ al-Asad,
just a day or two after Uḥud — despite fresh wounds and trembling limbs.

And then, they were warned:

'Your enemies have mobilized against you — so fear them!'

But instead of fear?

فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَـٰنًۭا وَقَالُوا۟ حَسْبُنَا ٱللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ ٱلْوَكِيلُ
'It only increased them in faith. And they replied: 'Allah is enough for us, and the best to rely on.''
[Surah Āl-ʿImrān 3:173]

These were the very same words spoken by Ibrāhīm (عليه السلام) —
as he stood before the fire,
rejected by his father, abandoned by his people.

Even then —
when Angel Jibrīl offered him help —
he didn’t ask for rescue.

He simply said:

حَسْبُنَا ٱللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ ٱلْوَكِيلُ
'Allah is enough for us, and the best to rely on.'

Because Allah was enough. Always.

And so too, at Ḥamrāʾ al-Asad, the wounded companions, freshly scarred from Uḥud,
echoed that same declaration of trust — not from comfort,
but from pain, exhaustion, vulnerability.

And what happened next?

فَٱنقَلَبُوا۟ بِنِعْمَةٍۢ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍۢ لَّمْ يَمْسَسْهُمْ سُوٓءٌۭ ۖ
'So they returned with Allah’s favor and bounty — no harm touched them at all…'
[Surah Āl-ʿImrān 3:174]

They didn’t even fight.
But because they trusted Him…
Allah protected them, raised them, and rewarded them.

No fighting. No wounds. Just reward.
Because they had unshakable trust in Allah.

So again I ask:

How do we think of Allah… when we’re tested?
Do we crumble, like those mentioned in Surah Al-Ḥajj (22:11) — those whose faith is only surface-deep?

Or do we remain firm — certain — hopeful?

Because Allah’s promise never fails.
He already knows what lies beyond the hardship.

But the question is —
Do we still think good of Him… until we reach it?

دُعَاء
Yā Allāh…
There is no power, no strength — except by You.
Help us hold on to hope in You.
Help us keep good thoughts of You.
Don’t let us cling to this dunya so hard…
That we lose You — and lose the Akhirah.


Yā Allāh…

We are in need of You
And You are free of all needs.

Help us, Yā Allāh. 😢
Let our tests bring us closer to You —
just as they were tested,
and they thought better of You.

So help us, our Lord,
The One full of Honor and Majesty.
Al-Jalīl , Al-Karīm.

Don’t let the dunya cloud our trust.
Don’t let hardship shake our belief.

Make us from those whose hearts say,

'Ḥasbunallāh wa niʿma al-wakīl.'
'Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.'


آمِين يا رب العالمين 🤲🏼

Ameen! 
Jazakallah khayr, truly when we have good thoughts of Allah ﷻ it leads to an unconditional love Him 

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

For the longest time, I used to think:
If you chose righteousness, if you held tight to the rope of Allah ﷻ,
Then you'd win in the Akhirah, but maybe not so much in the Dunya.
And those who chased the Dunya without Allah — they'd get it now, but lose it later.

But then I came across the verse in Surah Al-Ḥajj,
where Allah ﷻ describes those who lost their faith:

خَسِرَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْخُسْرَانُ ٱلْمُبِينُ

And He says they lost both this life and the next.
SubhanAllah — it hit me.

Choosing Allah doesn’t mean choosing misery.
Obedience doesn’t cancel joy.
Being a servant of the Most Merciful doesn’t strip you of peace —
It’s actually the only path to it.

I remember hearing as a kid:
'So-and-so — a millionaire — ended their life.'
And I'd sit there, stunned… like, how? Why?

But when the heart doesn't have Allah,
Even a garden full of fruit will taste bitter.
Even light will feel like darkness.

Yet the believer — Allah gifts them with something priceless:
Contentment.
Hope.
Patience when the world rushes.
Certainty when the world doubts.
Companionship when the world turns its back.

'هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُصَلِّى عَلَيْكُمْ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتُهُۥ لِيُخْرِجَكُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ ۚ وَكَانَ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَحِيمًا' (Al-Aḥzāb 33:43)
He it is Who sends blessings upon you — and His angels — to bring you out from darkness into light. And He is ever Merciful to the believers.

This is our virtue. This is our strength.
When others collapse under life’s weight — we raise our hands.
We cry to the One Who listens, Who understands, Who heals.
We walk through hardship — not untouched, but not alone.
We stumble forward — not because we're strong,
But because Allah ﷻ never left us.

And that’s the greatest richness anyone could ever ask for.

JazakAllahu Khair, May Allah swt make us content with his love, mercy, and care.

So, growing up, I watched shows like Bear Grylls and Walking the Himalayas. 
And I remember thinking as a child 'How could he eat that?
 How could he drink that?'
It didn’t make sense.

Until I grew up.  
Until I understood , that’s survival instinct.

Now in my own life, I often find myself saying, 'I feel like I’m living on the edge.'
I complain, I rant, I ask for advice over and over  to the point people around me get tired of listening.  
But I go on, saying, 
'Just tell me ,  I’d do anything to change these circumstances. I’ll hold onto any rope to get out of this.'

Then one day, I met this verse.  
'On the edge…'  and it struck me. It felt personal.

At first, it sounded like survival. 
But then I paused.

This verse isn’t talking about survival instinct.  
It’s talking about worship.

One might think that they are worshipping Allah and seeking help from him only then why would they end up losing this world and the Hereafter.
Why would they end up in hell- because that's what losing Hereafter means.

'The answer is because their heart isn't sincere.'

The worship they do,  that’s not rooted in faith, but desperation.

Imagine standing on the edge of a cliff. Alone. No rope, no help.  
Would you jump? 
Would you surrender?  
No.  
Even in drowning, a person kicks. That’s survival  you reach for anything: a branch, a rock, a thread.

But this verse? It’s describing the kind of person who reaches for Allah not out of love, or belief but out of sheer necessity.

When they have no other option left, when all else fails ,then they call on Allah.  
Not because they trust Him. Not because they’ve submitted.  
But because there's nothing else left to try.

They don’t worship Allah with the heart.  
They live the metaphor: 'Marta kya na karta.'
'Do or Die'

And once they’re safe, once Allah rescues them.
They walk away.  
As if nothing ever happened.  
As if they were never broken, never desperate.

This isn’t just ingratitude.  
This is hypocrisy. 
And that’s why they lose both dunya and akhirah.

#Gratitude #PersonalReflection #RamadanTaughtMe

JazakAllahu khair for this profound reflection! I never thought about jt this way. 

In the Name of Allaah the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate,

Ayyub Alahis salaam a great example of a true and firm believer:

Prophet Ayyub Alahis salaam was tested with many hardships; loss of property, wealth, children and his health. Many of the tests that we face ourselves, see our loved ones face and are seeing the world facing. He understood what is going on; that everything befalling him is a test, to be patient during these difficulties and ask from Allah. Notice despite his trials he holds the best opinion of His Lord. That Allah is the Most Merciful. There will be a good outcome in the end but he understands he is weak and he is always in need of the help of Allah. 

When going through difficulties we should not grow despondent but understand that Allah has the best plans for us. We should prove we are sincere and true believers and have full conviction that patience will be rewarded by Allah. Sure the trials are difficult and we ask relief from the One who is the most Merciful. 

Hold the best opinion of Allah to motivate your perseverance and reliance upon Him. Have not a shaky and untrue faith that Allah has mentioned in Surah Al Hajj Ayah 11 such a striking difference to the patience and foresight of Prophet Ayyub peace and blessings be upon him! 

 Wish to gain the pleasure of Allah and the success through His mercy in tbe Hereafter. Lose perhaps temporarily to gain the everlasting but do not lose out twice.

In the Name of Allah the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate,

It is easy to claim that we love Allah in the times of ease, but whatever difficulties we may be facing hold on. By holding on, a person shows a true conviction of faith, resolute and unwavering in their trust upon Allah. The One who created mothers and fathers for their children, and every kind of blessing has the best plans for us. Even, if we are seemingly losing everything hold tight to all His promises and show that you truly love Him. 

Gain the everlasting where there will be no loss. The more difficult the trial, become more resolute in worshipping Him. Remember Allah tested the best of people ardently. How much He loves them. If you are being tested immensely then He will honour your patience and your faith. 

Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas reported: I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, which people are tested most severely?' The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, 'They are the prophets, then the next best, then the next best. A man is put to trial according to his religion. If he is firm in his religion, his trials will be more severe. If he is weak in his religion, he is put to trial according to his strength in religion. The servant will continue to be put to trial until he is left walking upon the earth without any sin.'

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2398

Ask Allah to guide you against the torrents of temporary trials, He will bring us safely ashore to that which is everlasting.

Understand that this life is a test both the blessings and trials. Everything in this world is temporary. Perhaps your greatest pain with faith with grant you the greatest gain. Always think good of Allah.

'If Allah loves a people, then he afflicts them with trials. Whoever is patient has the reward of patience, and whoever is impatient has the fault of impatience.'

Source: Musnad Aḥmad 23122, Grade: Sahih

In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

In our taddabur group thanks to Allah, then a respected teacher who advised on reciting the Qur'an daily (5 pages per day) which is doable without much difficulty (may Allah reward him immensely). So, being a mother of four small children sometimes I have been reciting using the Qur'an Hive app. I thought I had bookmarked my last ayah (quite long into Surah An Nisaa). I do not know how I came to Surah Al Hajj? but I did and began to recite after around 15 ayats I realised it was not Surah An Nisaa. I looked at the last ayah I recited and it was this one.

I thought to myself, perhaps Allah wished for me to read these verses. It was this ayah, that felt at the time very personal. The wondrous nature of the Qur'an is that it is always personal to the reader provided that the reader listens attentively. 

I felt as though it was a warning not to have a 'flimsy faith' but one that is firm even if faith increases and decreases at times. When things are going great, perhaps we received praise from our teachers, colleagues, we are recognised for our achievements and dedications, we feel pleased and highly motivated to worship more ardently. Yet, what about the times when things do not go the way we would like them to go? Am I steadfast in that time? am I pleased with Allah in the time of adversity? 

I told myself, 'Ya Umm Eesa, you need to strive for a sincere faith!'. Whatever the climate; I should be a believer; loving and fearing Allah in all times with my goal always in front. Success in the Hereafter and of course always by His Mercy. This is a sincere believer. 

Truly in all that befalls us is His Wisdom
and His beneficial plan. 



Glory be to Allah Lord of the worlds.

#Quranspeakstoyou
#SurahAlHajj
#warnings
#sincerefaith

I would wait patiently for your reflections. Please share soon. May Allah bless you. 

In these verses, Allah tells us about a sound fact, that any disgrace that we incur in this world is not by anyone's doing except our own. Then in the following verses, Allah tells us about ways that disgrace can be incurned. One way is through misrepresenting the trials we face as not tests from God but as evil that leads us to either resentment of God or searching for ungodly means of relief (ie. in financial distress, lying/cheating/stealing to make financial gain).  A true believer worships God in good and bad times, sometimes wavering but always committed to going back to it. I remind myself that Allah does not exist to serve us, but rather we exist to serve Allah. When we degrade this essential principle of faith, our hearts are degraded and we are led 'to harm, not benefit'. 

#Harm #Benefit #Guidance

I truly relate to the tendency to resort to ungodly means of relief. When I was going through my exam stress and truly overtaken by fear I sough to find a quick-fix/fast method of self soothing that was unislamic. May Allah swt forgive me and allow me to overcome this and never repeat in times of difficulty. Please pray for me