In the Hands of Allah: Quranic Verses on Courage, Resilience and Trusting His Plan
In times of difficulty, it's natural to feel lost and alone. We may feel overwhelmed, hopeless, or uncertain about what the future holds. It's during these times that we need to turn to the Quran, the timeless source of guidance and solace, for inspiration and strength. The verses of the Quran remind us that Allah is always with us, watching over us, and ready to guide us through the challenges of life.
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِی عَنِّی فَإِنِّی قَرِیبٌۖ أُجِیبُ دَعۡوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِۖ فَلۡیَسۡتَجِیبُوا۟ لِی وَلۡیُؤۡمِنُوا۟ بِی لَعَلَّهُمۡ یَرۡشُدُونَ
Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 186
And O dear Prophet (Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him), when My bondmen question you concerning Me, then surely I am close; I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he calls on Me, so they must obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may attain guidance.
وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ ۚ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا
"And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent." (Surah At-Talaq, 65:2-3)
Prophet Yusuf's brothers plotted against him and threw him into a well. His brothers returned to their father Yaqub and told him that a wolf had attacked and killed Yusuf. This was a lie, and Yaqub was devastated by the loss of his beloved son. However, throughout the years, Yaqub never lost hope in Allah's mercy and remained patient and steadfast in his faith. Later in the story, when Yusuf was reunited with his brothers and their guilt was revealed, Yaqub forgave them and reminded them not to lose hope in Allah's mercy.
وَلَا تَيْأَسُوا مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهُ لَا يَيْأَسُ مِن رَّوْحِ اللَّهِ إِلَّا الْقَوْمُ الْكَافِرُونَ
"And do not lose hope in the mercy of Allah; indeed, none lose hope in the mercy of Allah except the most ungrateful people." (Surah Yusuf, 12:87)
Through the Quranic verses, we are reminded of the importance of having faith and trusting in Allah's plan. We are reminded that our trials and tribulations are a test of our faith, and that by persevering through them, we can emerge stronger, more resilient, and more spiritually grounded.
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ أُولَٰئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَاتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ
"And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, who, when disaster strikes them, say, 'Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.' Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:155-157)
As we reflect on these Quranic verses, let us turn our hearts to Allah, seeking His guidance and His mercy. Let us find comfort in the knowledge that Allah is always with us, and that through His grace, we can overcome any obstacle that comes our way.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, although both are good. Strive for that which will benefit you, seek the help of Allah, and do not feel helpless. If anything befalls you, do not say, "if only I had done such and such" rather say "Qaddara Allahu wa ma sha'a fa'ala (Allah has decreed and whatever he wills, He does)." For (saying) 'If' opens (the door) to the deeds of Satan.
الْمُؤْمِنُ الْقَوِيُّ خَيْرٌ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِ الضَّعِيفِ وَفِي كُلٍّ خَيْرٌ احْرِصْ عَلَى مَا يَنْفَعُكَ وَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللَّهِ وَلاَ تَعْجِزْ فَإِنْ أَصَابَكَ شَىْءٌ فَلاَ تَقُلْ لَوْ أَنِّي فَعَلْتُ كَذَا وَكَذَا . وَلَكِنْ قُلْ قَدَّرَ اللَّهُ وَمَا شَاءَ فَعَلَ فَإِنَّ " لَوْ " تَفْتَحُ عَمَلَ الشَّيْطَانِ
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to say: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the disappearance of Your blessings, the change of Your protection, the suddenness of Your wrath, and all displeasure of Yours.
اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أَعوذُ بك مِنْ زوالِ نعمتِكَ، وتحوُّلِ عافيتِكَ، وفُجاءةِ نقْمتِكَ، وجَميعِ سَخَطِكَ