And with each passing day, I’m getting a better perception of the instability in people. I’m getting more clarity on how changing the world around me is. Alhumdulillah.

So, what have I learned from these experiences?

Even now, I tend to get anxious when I get too concerned about worldly life, for example work, studies and the people around me. Then I ask myself, who am I relying on?

I realize that the key to breaking our anxious thoughts is having a firm tawakkul (trust) in Allah’s plan, which means relying entirely on Allah and not expecting anything from anyone in return. We need to make Allah the reason, the number one priority and intention behind everything we do. Moreover, clinging onto Allah’s path is believing that there is khayr (good) in all the circumstances we face. Also, duas (prayers) are crucial.

In other words, we need to remind ourselves that we’re all like travellers, sooner or later, about to exhale our last, deep, long breath. Only in that remembrance can we truly understand that this life is temporary and we will return to our Rabb (Allah/God). Let’s ask ourselves, what are we doing to prepare for the next journey? If I were to die today, would the worries of this worldly life matter an ounce of the energy that I put into it?

Most of our worries are related to rizq or whatever Allah has provided for us on Earth. I guess sometimes we forget that the Al-Razzaq already determined our rizq when we were inside of our mother’s womb, long before we arrived on Earth. We forget that it’s Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem, Who created us and with His Rahma, He’s been taking care of us all along. And when people betray you or make you feel abandoned or unworthy, remind yourself of this: “Your Lord did not abandon you, nor did He forget ( Quran 93:3).”

The world can leave us, but Allah will never forget or abandon us. Everything, including everyone we love or trust, can disappoint us, change and/or end, but Allah is Al-Hayy and Al-Quyyam, the ever-living and ever-sustaining. He is eternal. He was and will always be there when His creation turns away from us.

As Muslims, we are supposed to focus on things that will benefit our akhirah and we want the best of this life and the hereafter. Whenever we are worried about something, let’s think of our intentions. Are we seeking to attain Allah’s pleasure via what we plan to do? Are we relying on Allah? If so, then strive towards what we‘re doing and take a deep breath because we have nothing to worry about: “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” (Quran 65:3).

In other words, trust that Allah will take care of everything. To Him, the Al-Basir, all our struggles and setbacks will not go unnoticed: “And whosoever is conscious of Allah, He will make for them a way out (Quran 65:2).”

May Allah give us all the best in this world and the next, Ameen.

About the Author:

Sumena Hussain is a 22-year-old Bangladeshi writer residing in Toronto, Canada. She’s currently editing her debut novel, a coming-of-age Muslim immigrant fiction with the core theme of journeying back to Islam that she hopes to publish in 2023. You can connect with her via Instagram @sumena_hussain

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