The Quran never taught us to be spectators. The companions watched the two superpowers of the time, the Romans and the Persians, going back and forth in their wars. Some were betting on who's going to win, before betting became impermissible,

There was some discussion on "picking sides", and it is obvious from some narrations that the companions favored the Romans, being people of the book.

This is one of the many proofs of prophethood and the miracles of the Quran (how could Muhammad PBUH know that the Romans will prevail within less than ten years). But there is also a very profound and timeless lesson for all the generations of the Muslims, on how to connect to Allah during times of crises. This short statement that transforms how we reflect on the worldly events around us:

لله الأمر من قبل ومن بعد The whole matter is decided by Allah, before and after the war,

Don't assume at all that things are out of control! The companions read these ayahs carefully, and built their worldview, their conviction, their actions, their planning, their worship, on this statement.

لله الأمر من قبل ومن بعد The whole matter is decided by Allah, before and after the victory

When the ayahs were revealed, they were spectators, fearing for their lives in Mecca, hiding from the persecution of the Quraish,

But they kept going, they kept working with their heads down, they kept praying to Allah for perseverance, they kept their connection with the one who makes things happen, they kept reciting this Ayah and other Ayahs that highlight Allah's ultimate power

لله الأمر من قبل ومن بعد The whole matter belongs to Allah, before and After ,

Few years after that, 313 companions defeated their persecutors in Badr, and put their tiny community on the political and social map in Arabia, and while the Muslims were rejoicing their victory on Quraish, the Romans were defeating the Persians during the same time, the Romans were defeating the Persians, Exactly as the Quran predicted, لله الأمر من قبل ومن بعد، ويومئذ يفرح المؤمنون بنصر الله "The whole matter rests with Allah before and after the Roman's victory, and on that day, the believers will rejoice the victory of Allah..."

This time, the Muslims were not on the spectator seat, they were fighting their own battles, expanding their reach, building their community, and while they were doing all that, they were affirming their belief that لله الأمر من قبل ومن بعد The ˹whole˺ matter rests with Allah before and after...

Few years after that, 10,000 Muslims conquer Mecca and regain control of the most important city in Arabia, and the persecuted oppressed spectators became dominant over Arabia,

Fast forward around a decade later, and the same soldiers defeated the Persian army in the battle of Al-Qadeseyyah, and then defeated the Romans in the battle of Al-Yarmouk,

As you go through your acts of worship in Ramadan and beyond,

your tahajjud, your dua, your sujud, you are not escaping from the bitter reality of this world, you are not drugging yourself with some fake spiritual practices to feel good,

you are coupling your small action during the day, with supplication during the night, and you are connecting your hearts and your actions, with the One and Only, Who is in full control. لله الأمر من قبل ومن بعد The ˹whole˺ matter rests with Allah before and after EVERYTHING!

PS: If this reflection resonated with you, there is more at

, where I provide online courses that explore how Quranic wisdom can shape the way we live and think.