Thread: The finishing line
I begin with the Name of Allaah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
“When (will come) the Help of Allaah?” Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allaah is near!” Qur’an 2:214
As humans, it is impossible to change the Decree of Allaah but very much possible to choose to be happy with what Allaah has destined for each one, however it turns out to be.
When Allaah created the Pen, He commanded it to write, so it wrote down what will exist until forever and this is in reference to the hadith in Abu Dawud authenticated by Al-Albani in Sahih Abi Dawud.
In addition, Allaah wrote the decree of all creations 50,000 years before the creation of the heavens and the earth as indicated in the hadith of Muslim.
Everyday each person wakes up to a different endeavor largely in pursue of defined goals or various attainments, which he either achieves or fails to achieve.
The uncertainty and the effort exerted towards attaining a particular goal has got to be one of the most interesting experiences in life.
In the end, man is either left happy when set goals are achieved or despondent when he fails to do so.
To this, Allaah exalted be He says: “No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of decrees (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz), before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allaah..........
.....In order that you may not grieve at the things that you fail to get, nor rejoice over that which has been given to you. And Allaah likes not prideful boasters.” Qur’an 57: 22-23
Ikrimah (one of the students of ibn Abbas) was reported to have said: “There is no one but rejoices and grieves however, they make their rejoicing a show of gratitude (to Allaah) and their grieve a mark of patience.”
At what point then, does someone get to know whether something was written for him or not? The answer is simple, just at the finishing line.
This assertion if true, then dictates that man should not lose hope and neither should he despair when asking Allaah for anything that does not seem forthcoming because to Allaah, His Promise is bounding never to be overwhelmed by the “like” or the “dislike” of the creatures.
The point here is, a lot of people have been praying to Allaah to rescue them from certain situations or to make a favorable decision on their behalf on certain issues even when the finishing line seem very tight and close.
And as such, some might be unsettled inwardly with the thought of “Am I really going to have my request granted by Allaah because the tunnel is only getting darker and the wind seem to be blowing in the opposite direction in which the boat is sailing.”
Be it as it may, whoever takes his time to appreciate the fact that Allaah Exalted be He, has a Sunnah (pattern and way of doing things as He wills).......
and part of this sunnah He has shown its manifestation in the lives of those that are most beloved to Him [His prophets (AS) especially regarding granting them success at the finishing line.
”And Allaah does what He Wills” Qur’an 14: 27
So no change will you find in Allaah’s Sunnah (way of dealing), and no turning off will you find in Allaah’s Sunnah (way of dealing) Qur’an 35:43
So no change will you find in Allaah’s Sunnah (way of dealing), and no turning off will you find in Allaah’s Sunnah (way of dealing) Qur’an 35:43
To substantiate this claim, in the 21st chapter of the Qur’an the amazing story of the friend of Allaah, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) aptly captures the essence of this write up.
At a time when Ibrahim (AS) was the only Muslim on the face of earth, the entire enemy forces gathered against him by gathering a huge amount of wood and they made a hole in the ground and set it aflame and it burned with huge sparks and immense flames in order to burn him.
It was said in the Tafseer (exegesis) of ibn Katheer that there had never been a fire like it. Ibrahim (AS) was put into a catapult and hauled into the fire but as the Hausa’s would say “Ko a bakin kura, ka gode wa Allaah” (even when being swallowed by hyena, praise Allaah)....
Ibrahim (AS) said “sufficient for me is Allaah, and He is the best disposer of affairs.” And just at the finishing line, Allaah’s command was swift He said: “O fire! Be you cool and safety for Ibrahim”. Ibn Abbas said there was no fire left on earth that was not extinguished.
Yet another apt example to illustrate the above assertion was the case of Yaqub (AS) in the 12th chapter of the Qur’an when after losing his son Yusuf (AS) he lost his sight because he was aggrieved, sorrowful and sad.
Imam Qatadah said in all these, Yaqub did not complain to a created being. He did not only lose his most beloved son Yususf (AS) but also lost Binyamin the full brother of Yusuf and Rubil who remained in Egypt waiting to secure the release of his brother who was accused of theft
But just at the finishing line, Allaah’s succor was brought his way when he said, “patience is most fitting (for me). May be Allaah will bring (back) all to me. Truly, He! Only He is All-Knowing, All-Wise” Qur’an 12:83.
At the critical moment, when after begging Allaah to bring back Yusuf, Allaah took his second son and in the process he also became blind but he never despaired nor doubted that Allaah will rescue him and Allaah did rescue him.
Allaah did not only returned back his lost sight but also united him with Yusuf and Binyamin in such a manner that no human imagination can conceptualize.
The story of Ayub (peace be upon him) is not far-fetched. He had plenty of livestock, cattle and crops, many children and beautiful house, but was tested in these things, he lost everything he had including his health but his trust in Allaah was never tamed.
But just at the finishing line, Allaah Exalted be He said: “He cried to his lord: “Verily, distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy.” This statement of his prompted an instant response from Allaah and He answered his call.....
and removed the distress that was on him and he was compensated with everything new.
In Conclusion, no one was ever tested with more trials and tribulations like the most beloved of Allaah Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
On one occasion the odds seemed against the Prophet and his companions (RA) during the day of Uhud when the hypocrites said: “Verily, the people have gathered against you, therefore fear them.” But it (only) increased them in faith, and they said:
“Allaah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.” Qur’an 3:173
Just at the finishing line, Allaah came to their rescue and He said: “So they returned with grace and bounty from Allaah. No harm touched them; and they followed the pleasure of Allaah. And Allaah is the Owner of great bounty.” Qur’an3: 174
Brothers and sisters in Islam, no matter how difficult your situation seems, however long you have been asking Allaah to grant you your lawful heart desires, however dark the tunnel seems, however insurmountable the hurdles on the path seem, my message to one and all is that:....
Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near!” Qur’an 2:214
