Allah is الحافظ, The Protector
What Do You Fear?
فَاللَّهُ خَيْرٌ حَافِظًا ۖ وَهُوَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
Allah is the Best Guardian, and He is the Most Merciful of the merciful.Yusuf 64
I’ve had a number of conversations recently that highlighted the reality of fear in our hearts.
– With a friend who went out to have some fun, only to rush back home because fear and anxiety over something horrible happening to her infant overwhelmed her thoughts.
-With a family member who said he couldn’t sleep at night because he’s constantly worried for his teenage kids, will they be OK?
-With a young woman who desires marriage and starting a loving family but the fear of divorce and being heartbroken seemed like a trending reality.
-With a sister who is ready to step into the career she’s always dreamed of, but fear of failure holds her back.
-With a nurse who worked with sexual abuse survivors. The idea of leaving her child with anyone but a trusted few was unimaginable.
-With a woman who holds back from expressing love to her husband because of fear of being vulnerable with her emotions.
-With a woman who knows her marriage is toxic for her health and wellbeing, but the fear of the unknown holds her back from leaving.
-With a black and visibly Muslim woman who feared a racist Islamophobic will hurt her on the streets.
-With a middle school student who feared a school shooter might come for their lives any day at school.
We are all walking around with our hearts in our hands, deadly terrified that our worst fears might become a reality. We develop habits that go against what we want to cater to the fear instead of catering to the opportunities of what we desire and could be a bigger possibility. Fear is a natural human emotion, it won’t go away, it serves a purpose! How do we use it for our benefit?
One of my favorite hadeeths of the Prophet SAW is the one where he shared these words with a young boy, Ibn Abbas was probably between the ages of 8 and 13 when he was taught these words. The fact that he shared it with a child brings tears to my eyes, Salla Allahu Alayhi Wassalam.
Ibn Abbas says: One day I was riding (a horse/camel) behind the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, when he said: “Young man, I will teach you some words. Be mindful of God, and He will take care of you. Be mindful of Him, and you shall find Him at your side. If you ask, ask of God. If you need help, seek it from God. Know that if the whole world were to gather together in order to help you, they would not be able to help you except if God had written so. And if the whole world were to gather together in order to harm you, they would not harm you except if God had written so. The pens have been lifted, and the pages are dry.” Tirmidhi
Ya Allah, Ya Hafidh, fill my heart with reliance and mindfulness of you that overpowers my fears and anxieties.”
