بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A few years ago during a not so routine shopping trip, I looked up to see a bird flying overhead. I quickly snapped a picture and put my phone away thinking nothing more about it.
The photo (above), was pretty unremarkable to be honest and there are probably thousands of similar photos in phones and on screens all over the world, but it is a picture that I have returned to over and over again over the years.
That is because the picture reminded me of this Hadith:
..and for that reason that picture has seen me through some really difficult days.
Just looking at it has given me so much peace and seeing that bird in my phone has served as a reminder that just like that bird.. I am seen, my provision is written, I am looked after and most importantly.. Allah has my back and loves me.
There have been moments in my married life, where we have just about scraped enough money together to get through another month. We have lived in a home that was falling to pieces and clung to furniture and machines that no longer served their function because we simply couldn’t afford to replace them.
But when I look back even during those really tough days, not only were our immediate needs met (food, drink, shelter), there have also been some truly beautiful surprises and glimmers of hope along the way and if I was to sit down and try to recount all of those, I know I would never be able to.
So 2 years ago, I started a list in my phone titled – Unexpected Sources of Barakah.
At the beginning of every month, I start a new list but keep the old ones to look back on. Other then the blessings that we already have to be greatful for, any time we received a blessing out of nowhere, I wrote it down.
I would love to invite you to do the same.
I think that in the business of our day to day lives, it can be easy to overlook little rays of good that come our way.
I have attached a PDF below for you to print out if you would like. You can use it to list down any unexpected blessings that stand out from the last year.
Some examples of things I have had on my list:
> Received a box of dates from Cousin.
> My ear phones survived a spin in the washing machine.
> Discount on order.
> Bag’s of ‘hand me downs’ from Sister for my Daughter.
Ever since I have started this practice, I have noticed that the blessings seem to increase month on month Alhamdulillah and they aren’t always monetary. Barakah comes in so many forms.
On top of the usual blessings, I have noticed that Allah puts ease in everything I do, I get so much more done in a day now then I did 2 years ago and Allah has placed people in my life that take me towards goodness in whatever form that may be.
Just before this letter was due to go out, my husband returned home from a religious gathering and told me the following story that the Shaikh had told them. I felt like it belonged in this letter so I have shared it below:
There were a group of men planning to raid a caravan. The men had become aware that the caravan was taking a particular route. They lay in wait on the route ready to attack.
Suddenly the leader of the group announced that he was no longer interested in raiding the caravan and told the men that they could go ahead and complete the job without him. The men didn’t want to but were curious to understand why the raid was no longer taking place. After all that planning and waiting..
The leader explained that whilst they were laying in wait for the caravan to arrive, he noticed a snake emerge from a hole in the ground and it seemed to be disorientated. He observed it for some time and realised that the snake was blind. That led him to wonder how it would eat/survive.
He then saw 2 birds arrive and make a sound, almost as if to indicate their arrival. The snake opened it’s mouth and the birds began to feed it. They then flew off, only to return again and continue feeding the snake. This scene took place a few more times until the snake was content.
The man thought to himself that if Allah is providing food for this blind snake that is unable to fend for itself, why wouldn’t Allah provide for me when I am a part of the Ummah?
The reason the Shaikh was relaying this story was to make the congregation understand the importance of stopping to reflect. Had the man not stopped to contemplate what had just occurred in front of him, his life may have continued along a very different path. He was given an opportunity to reflect and he understood the message. .
I don’t know what his thoughts were exactly but these are some of mine after hearing the story..
Your provision is written. Yes..work but don’t compromise your values. Allah will provide..Even when you are unable to fend for yourself. Even when you are disorientated. Even when you are in the middle of nowhere. Even when you feel broken. Even when you feel lost. Even when you are questioning everything. Regardless..What is yours is yours. The MOST merciful will provide. You do not have to go towards the dark, you do not have to compete, you do not have to try and take what someone else has, you do not have to indulge in anything that you know is wrong..
“What’s meant for you will reach you even if it’s beneath two mountains, and what’s not meant for you won’t reach you even if it’s between your two lips”
And He will provide for him from (sources) where he does not expect…” [18]
That story brought tears to my eyes. There are so many lessons contained within just that one story. What do you take away from it? I would love to hear from you.
My aim is to create a community for ladies and a safe space where we can share thoughts and ideas and work on ourselves whilst helping to lift each other up.
I believe that having hope can get you though the most difficult of times. I believe that everyone is capable and deserving of a life that is filled with joy and purpose and I think that one of the first steps towards that is believing that it is possible for you, having hope and understanding that Allah sees you, loves you, truly knows you and knows/wants what is best for you.
Have big hopes for yourself and know that great things are possible for you. Everyone’s idea of a great life needn’t be the same.
Ask for anything..The possibilities are endless when you are asking from Allah. Don’t put limits on yourself and know that Allah can provide, even when you cannot imagine how.
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