In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Kind, Before studying and reflecting upon the Qur’an regularly I was always fascinated by the stories of our pious predecessors who did not have the most virtuous life before their conversion to Islam. It always intrigued me when Umar Ibn Al Khattab RadiyaAllah anho read the verses contained in Surah TaHa and Allah guided him to accept Islam. That 360 change subanAllah! Indeed it is only Allah who guides. Another story I enjoy reading is about the former bandit robber Fudayl Ibn Iyad RA who after climbing up a wall to meet with a woman he heard someone recite verse 16 from Surah Al Hadid 'Has not the time come for believers hearts to be humbled...' Almost immediately afterwards he changed himself and eventually became a great scholar! Then I asked myself when will I change? That change that causes a person to find sweetness with their Lord. This might sound strange, but I was waiting for my ‘wake up call ‘when am I going to be stuck in my tracks?’ So, in summer 2021 I was reading Ibn Qayyim’s Paragons of the Qur’an (Dar As Sunnah publications). I could not quite understand the explanation regarding Ayah 109 of Surah At Tawbah. I asked Allah to help guide me towards understanding it. I tried to reflect many times but I could not express what I understood from this ayah. Then this year, one day when I woke up in the morning after my morning dua, it was before my hospital appointment with my consultant I repeated this ayah on my lips. I was previously anxious. I thought this is the ayah I found difficult to comprehend for a whole year! I wondered why I remembered this ayah? I asked myself ‘Is Allah making me understand this ayah?’ Then I realised what it meant for me is that faith isn’t just to be said upon the lips, but you have to show firm faith even when things are very tough! Faith isn’t what suits you. Faith is submitting to Allah’s Will. Faith is something very strong, whereby whatever comes your way you have to love Allah deeply and also fear losing His love and fear His punishment. Thinking always well about Him. Since that day, I decided whatever comes my way I will not give up and I realise I will be tested continuously but I have to build this sincere love for Allah and that He always comes first. Through these obstacles in life - Allah is only a dua away! So I am building my faith not on an edge but through His Help sincerely. This was my wake up call. All praise is due to Allah the Most praiseworthy and High.

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I needed to read this today. JazakiAllah khayran kaseer for sharing this. 🌼

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