"I am as My servant expects Me to be."

It’s hard explaining to kids when life doesn’t go the way you planned or hoped. Life isn’t a bed of roses– but neither is it a series of unfortunate events. We don’t believe in ‘fortune’, ‘luck’ or that the path of our lives is set to random twists and turns. All that befalls us is decreed by Allah (swt) – it is out of our control. But whether we perceive those events, milestones or trials as good or bad – is entirely within our control.

Suhaib reported the Prophet ﷺ said;

“Strange are the ways of the believer for there is good in every affair of his. This is not the case for anyone except the believer. If he has the occasion to feel delight he thanks Allah and there is good in it for him. If trouble befalls him and he endures it patiently there is a good in it for him.”[Muslim]🌙

No matter what we face; always view it through a lens of finding the good within it.

In the darkest moments of life we can find a light if we look for it. Imagine when the light disappears in a blackout, then there’s only darkness; panic and fear of the unknown may set in. Instead be calm, patient and accepting of it, then see how the darkness lifts as moonlight floods in- your eyes begin to accustom to it and you begin to see, albeit from a new perspective.

Just as a playful child resents when his mother yanks him back from the fire with which he wishes to play, it is only later that he realises what calamity was diverted.

Similarly we’re in the dark and don’t know the wisdom by which Allah puts us on certain paths or removes us from others. But with patience, faith and trust that what He does is best for the believer, we will find contentment.

Abu Hurayrah (ra) said the Prophet ﷺ said; Allah the Almighty said; "I am as My servant expects Me to be."[Bukhari]🌙

If you believe that whatever befalls you from Allah is good and you fill your heart with grateful positivity then see how better paths and unimagined possibilities begin to open up before your eyes. Think good of your Lord and only good will come to you, InshaAllah.

𝑴𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 of S. N Jalali ✍🏼 (𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗯𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 , Islamic chapter books for kids📚)