Finding Strength In Trying Times

Rabiul- Awwal 15, 1444A.H.

Assalam Alaykum Waramatullahi Wabarakatu, Dear Sis,

Trust you’re well, In shaa Allah.

Last week closed out on a pretty sad note over here. Persistent rainfall and the overflow of two major rivers in Nigeria led to a serious case of flooding in Lokoja, Nigeria. This comes in the middle of a similar case of flooding in Jigawa state. As you can imagine, millions have been lost, hectares of farmland wiped out and houses completely submerged. I remember not even being able to process the extent of the loss on Friday. SubhanaLlah! I was so anxious and was just tying to figure out the best way to help.

Then came Saturday, it was the resumption of one of my favorite classes, Reflecting on The Names of Allah with Ustadha Jinan Yousef, the perfect distraction I needed. It turned out to be more than that though, it was also a gift and the kind nudge I needed to get to work. The name we learnt about was Al-Qadir and in Ustadha’s explanation of this beautiful name, I found all the strength I needed!

She beautifully explained how powerful Allah is and how we can find strength from our Duas and reliance on Him. To drive the point home, she mentioned how we should ‘Do what we can do and Leave Allah to do what He can do’. At this point, sis, I am like ‘Ya Allah, you always give me the best messages right when I need them, always timely, always on point’! SubhanaLlah! My mind was buzzing even before class was over, ideas had quickly formed on what I could do and how I must trust in what Allah can do. I truly reflected on how Ustadha reminded us of the many instances in the Qur’an when Allah created so much from nothing and how all He needs to do is say ‘Be and it is’ , He is the Creator, the Restorer and the Provider. Sis, I was in awe!

Reflecting on The Names Of Allah is a course that always give me what I need, I don’t know how to explain it. Each time I sit in class, it feels like the class notes were prepared for me. Weird, because my dear Sis A, who takes the course as well, says the exact same thing! We always gush about how it always turns out to be just what we need. We take it on Saturdays by 11:30am Est for about an hour with SWISS Institute. The course is a blessing, Alhamdulillahi!

Wondering where you will find the time to attend the class? After all, you have so much to do and 24 hours never seems to be enough. You are not alone! I know that struggle! Register for The Pockets Of Time Workshop and learn how to make 24 hours work for you.

P.S: If you are in Nigeria, F.R.E.E is raising funds for relief support, please see the flyer below. If you are outside Nigeria, please email us via ibadahplug@gmail.com, if you'd like to donate.

Please, also keep the flood victims in your Duas. May Allah restore all that has been lost.

Signing off here. I ask Allah to strengthen us at all times and empower us to be of great help when others need us to be.

I leave you in Allah's care,

One of us at Ibadah Plug