Feeling that Allah has left you? Read this!

We’ve all been there. In a place where we thought everything is falling apart. And though we always tend to turn to Allah during hard times for all the years that passed, this one instance felt like it was impossible to overcome. It felt like nothing more would possibly go right. Even with a desperate call to Allah. Because we feel that even Allah has left us.

I want to tell you a story about a boy who went through such a circumstance. He used to live happily with his parents and his brothers whom he loved. At some point, his brothers started having a jealousy for him. Thinking that their father was favouring him more than them while that was not the case. And out of that jealousy, one day the brothers take him out on a trip with an evil plan against him. They pushed him into a well and left him there. Then a group of merchants saw him in the well and they sold him as a slave to a minister in Egypt.

Now imagine the pain and hopelessness of this young boy. Imagine the pain he must have felt like when his own brothers, whom he used to look up to and love, started pushing him. Imagine the fear in his heart when he was falling into the well. Imagine how hopeless he must have felt when he hit the bottom of the well and thought there was no way out. And even when he was saved by a group of strangers, imagine the apprehension he would have felt from them. Especially when they sold him as a slave. And started living in a complete stranger’s house away from his father and his whole family.

At this point of the story, you might think that there is absolutely no way for the boy to find his way back to his family. You might assume that his story is just going way far from happiness and that this story is going to end with his life getting completely ruined.

But you know what? This story is none other than the story of Yusuf (AS). And as Allah narrated the story to us in the Quran, He swt makes His own comment at this point of the story. He swt says:

وَاللَّـهُ غَالِبٌ عَلَىٰ أَمْرِهِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

“…..And Allah is predominant over his affair, but most of the people do not know.” Surah Yusuf, ayah 21

As hopeless as the situation of Yusuf (AS) is, at that point of the story, Allah tells us that He has always been غَالِبٌ over his affair. غَالِبٌ means to be dominant over something. To have power over something. To have full control over something. What Allah is telling us is that He was in control over everything that Yusuf (AS) went through. Even when he was pushed by his brothers. Even when he was at the bottom of the well. Even when he was sold as a slave and had to live with complete strangers. He swt was in control over all of that. Allah was still with him all along. And He put Yusuf (AS) through all of it for a bigger plan. Later on Yusuf (AS) would help a king interpret one of his dreams that said that the country was going to have 7 tough years with less crop. Yusuf (AS) would then become the treasurer of Egypt and save the entire Egypt from famine by suggesting the king on how to use the harvest more wisely. An entire country was saved from starvation, just because of Yusuf (AS). And through that, Yusuf (AS) even reunites with his family and his brothers learn their lesson and apologize. They all move to Egypt and lived in peace thereafter. All of this, would not have happened if Yusuf (AS) was not pushed into a well. If he wasn’t picked up by some merchants and sold as a slave. If he hadn’t lived with a corrupt minister and his wife. If he wasn’t falsely accused and sent into jail. Subhaanallah!

So the next time you are going through a hard time, remember, Allah is in full control of everything you are going through. And you are going through that for a bigger purpose. Even though you may not see it right now. Never think that Allah has left you. Allah in fact, has always been with you through His knowledge. He has been watching over you from above. And He is controlling every single detail of your life, to take you closer to what is better for you In Sha Allah. So find peace in your heart knowing that you can trust the One, Who makes the best of plans.

May Allah make us of those who trust Him, even during hard times. Ameen!