A Simple Litmus Test of How Much We Trust God

Last updated on: December 26, 2019 at 9:28 am by Iman

A Simple Litmus Test of How Much We Trust God 2019-12-26T09:28:46-06:00 Iman

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Story time: A young man wanted to go to college, but did not have the financial means for it. The universities in his area demanded the money upfront. He tried everything he could to save up, but still fell short. His dad told him that he will be able to save up the money and give it to him sometime soon, but he can’t say what the exact date will be at this point in time.

The son had all kinds of doubts running through his mind: Would his dad be able to save up the money? What would happen if he didn’t? Would his life be wasted sitting around, while everyone else got ahead? Dad realized that his son was feeling anxious, and confidently reassured him that it was just a matter of time, and that he had it all planned out. But the son didn’t want to wait or live in uncertainty, so he stole the money and started college later that year. His dad was shocked and disappointed.

Clearly, this young man had no faith in his father.

Sometimes, we are the same way in our relationship with Allah. He reassures us that He will provide for us if we pray, persevere, and stay within the limits He has set for us, but as human beings we can be impatient and short-sighted at times.

This is why we break God’s laws to get what we want or need. We drop our religious values in order to find a spouse. We take out interest-based loans to go to school or get a house. We abandon certain religious obligations in order to acquire or keep a job that we want. We tell “white lies” in order to get ahead.

As human beings we can be impatient and short-sighted at times. This is why we break God’s laws to get what we want or need.

None of us are perfect Muslims, including myself. I’m not trying to shame anyone for their actions. I just think it’s important for us to realize what these behaviors truly indicate. They are a symptom of a lack of tawakkul/trust in God (or weakness in it), as well as a sign that we are prioritizing this life over the eternal one (which shows that we don’t truly trust Allah’s promise that we will be held accountable for our actions). Have we forgotten that we have something infinitely better waiting for us if we stay true to our Lord and follow our faith?

When we resort to haram means to get something that’s halal, it shows that we don’t trust that Allah will provide for us when the time is right, or that if we don’t get what we want in this life, we will definitely get it in Jannah (inshaAllah). After all, Allah has asked us to do and stay away from certain things for a reason. He knows what’s best for us better than we do.

Allah has a plan for each and every one of us, and we should try to be more patient and trust that His timing is perfect.

Let’s pause and ask ourselves, “Am I doing something that’s displeasing to Allah in order to achieve a worldly desire?” Allah has a plan for each and every one of us, and we should try to be more patient and trust that His timing is perfect. It’s okay if it takes us a little longer to get what we want sometimes. Is it easy to follow all of the rules and always do the right thing? No, usually not. But it’s important in order to preserve our relationship with our Creator and prove that We trust Him.

“Whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for them and provide for them from sources they could never imagine. And whoever puts their trust in Allah, He is sufficient for them. Surely Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has set a measure for everything.” [Qur’an 65:2-3]

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