A woman named Maryam once knew a young person at mosque named Aisha. Aisha always seemed effervescent and happy, although Maryam knew she had faced struggles in her life. Her long-awaited marriage had quickly ended in divorce.
She had struggled to get a grip on her single life. She hadn't chosen it, but she decided she would live it with utmost enjoyment and satisfaction. Aisha was active in the madressah, in the day trips out, as a leader of the womans sports club, and in the da'wah movement. Maryam enjoyed knowing Aisha. Aisha's whole face seemed to smile and she always greeted Maryam with a hug.
One day she asked Aisha, "How is it that you are always so happy - you have so much energy, and you never seem to get down?"
With her eyes smiling, Aisha said, "I know the secret!"
"What secret is that? What are you talking about?" Maryam asked. Aisha replied, "I'll tell you all about it, but you have to promise to share the 'secret' with others."
Maryam agreed, "Okay, now what is it?"
"The secret is this: I have learned there is little I can do in my life that will make me truly happy. I must depend on Allah (Ta'ala) to make me happy and meet my needs. When a need arises in my life, I have to trust Allah to supply according to HIS riches. I have learned most of the time I don't need half of what I think I do. HE has never let me down. Since I learned that secret-I am happy."
Maryam's first thought was, That's too simple! But upon reflecting over her own life she recalled how she thought a bigger house would make her happy - but it didn't! She thought a better-paying job would make her happy - but it hadn't. When did she realize her greatest happiness? Sitting on the floor with her grandchildren, eating pizza - a simple gift from Allah.
"And whoever relies on Allah - then He is sufficient for him"
[surah at-Talaq; 65: 3]
"Â… And upon Allah rely, if you are true believers"
[surah al-Ma'idah; 5: 23]
"Â… And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]"
[surah ali-'Imran; 3: 159]
"Â… And rely upon Allah. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs"
[surah an-Nisa; 4: 81]
Umar ibn al-Khattab (radiAllahu anhu), narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said,
'If you rely on Allah with due reliance, Allah will provide for you as He does for the birds; they leave with empty stomachs in the morning and return full at dusk.'
[at-Tirmidhi]
Anas (radiAllahu anhu) reported thatthe Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said,'The amount of reward is in accordance with the amount of suffering. When Allah (swt) loves some people, He tries them (with afflictions). He who then is content (with Allah's decree) has achieved the acceptance (of Allah), and he who is dissatisfied (with Allah's decree) will attain the anger (of Allah.'
[at-Tirmidhi]
CSW