A Test Or An Honor?
Special Dua request for the flood victims of Maidguri . May Allah grant them ease, protection and provision. Please pray that He replaces all they have lost with that which is better, Ameen. Please see a list of charities to donate to here.
Asalam Alaekum Waramatullahi Wabarakatu,
"And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age while with you, say not to them [so much as], 'uff,' and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word."
(Qur'an 17:23)
I recently had the privilege of observing the journey of a young woman who lost the most important person in her life at a tender age—her beloved mother. She adored her mother deeply, cherishing her with every fiber of her being. Her greatest regret, when her mother passed, was that she hadn’t yet been able to repay her for all the sacrifices she had made. She dreamed of showering her with lavish parties, cars, dream vacations, and the finest clothes. But life had other plans. Allah, in His infinite wisdom, called her mother back to Him at a time no one expected.
Years passed, and then Allah presented her with another opportunity. Her stepfather became gravely ill during one of the most challenging times the world had seen in the 20s. Without hesitation, she stepped in, giving her all. It was as though she was making up for what she couldn’t do for her mother, serving him with love and devotion until Allah, once again, called His soul home. It was painful; she lost her way more than once. But she survived.
Then, Allah, in His mercy, presented her with the ultimate opportunity. This time, it was her father. After years of mending, forgiving, and rebuilding a relationship with him, he found himself in need of family support. This was harder, so much harder. Shaytan whispered that it was her chance to repay him for the difficult times he had put her through. But the angels were stronger, silencing those thoughts. She made the better choice—she saw this as yet another opportunity to serve, to worship her Creator. Who knows, perhaps it was even Allah’s way of giving her another chance to do what she once thought she had lost.
Watching these events unfold has been nothing short of a blessing for me. It’s opened my eyes to the opportunities Allah sends us every day—opportunities to grow, to serve, to worship—yet how often do we let our egos get in the way and miss out on them?
Reflection prompt:
Think about the people Allah has placed in your life—parents, family members, or even those who have wronged you. Are there opportunities to serve, to forgive, or to honor them that you may be overlooking? How can you realign your intentions to please Allah through your treatment of others, especially your loved ones?
All errors (and typos) are from me and all good is from Allah.
We leave you in Allah's care,
One Of Us at Ibadahplug.