Embracing Adversity

Turning to Allah in Moments of Despair

Reading time: 2 minutes

When the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray

Rumi

Seeking refuge and support after relentless persecution in Mecca, The Prophet ﷺ journeyed to Ta'if with the hope that its people might embrace the message of Islam.

However, he was treated with hostility instead of being treated with hospitality.

The leaders rejected his plea and incited the townspeople to insult and pelt him with stones.

Blood dripped from his wounds to the point of soaking his feet.

The Prophet ﷺ was forced to flee, eventually finding shelter in an orchard outside the city.

In this moment of utter despair and physical exhaustion, the Prophet ﷺ turned to his Lord with one of the most beautiful Duas.

"O Allah, to You alone, I complain of my weakness, my lack of resources, and my insignificance before people.

O Most Merciful of those who show mercy, You are the Lord of the oppressed, and You are my Lord.

To whom have You entrusted me? To a distant stranger who regards me with hostility or to an enemy, You have given power over me?"

In these heartrending words, we witness the Prophet’s ﷺ raw vulnerability, standing alone in the face of relentless adversity.

Betrayed and bleeding from the cruel assault of Ta'if's people, his soul lays bare before his Lord.

He had given everything in the path of Allah, and now, confronted with the weight of rejection from those he earnestly wished to guide, presses heavily upon him.

He’s asking, "O Lord, have I been abandoned? Am I left without Your support, at the mercy of those who despise me?"

He acknowledges his human frailty and the harsh reality of his circumstances.

The anguish in his words reflects a man whose deepest concern is not the suffering inflicted upon him but the state of his relationship with his Creator.

His following sentence proves this.

"But if You are not angry with me, then I care not what I face. Yet, Your mercy would bring me greater ease."

Here, the Prophet ﷺ reveals the core of his distress.

Despite the physical suffering and emotional distress, his only worry is whether he has displeased his Beloved.

The trials he endures are bearable as long as they are not signs of Divine wrath.

His deepest fear is a severed connection with God.

He doesn't seek vengeance against his tormentors or plead for the hardships to cease.

Instead, he seeks reassurance that his Lord is still pleased with him.

The mention of preferring ease is a humble acknowledgment of his weakness before his Lord—recognizing that while he can endure any trial, the gentleness of God's mercy would make the path lighter.

In Islam, expressing one's grievances directly to Allah is an act of devotion.

There are two types of complaints:

  1. Complaints of Rejection: Challenging or objecting to Allah's decree by saying things like,

    "Why are You doing this to me? I don't deserve this!"

    Such an attitude is not only sinful but can verge on disbelief, as it reflects a rejection of Allah's wisdom and sovereignty.

  2. Complaints of Servitude

    Expressions of pain and seeking comfort in Allah's mercy without challenging His decree.

    Prophet Jacob (Ya'qub) exemplified this, saying, "I complain of my anguish and sorrow only to Allah" (Quran 12:86).

    Complaints of servitude are an act of deep faith, recognizing that only Allah can alleviate one's distress.

Despite being physically alone and facing such harshness, the Prophet ﷺ knew that as long as he could turn to Allah in supplication, he was never truly alone or powerless.

It is said that du'a is the believer's weapon, capable of altering one's destiny.

Mercy Over Retribution

Angel Jibril then appears to the Prophet ﷺ, accompanied by the Angel of the Mountains.

They offer to crush the people of Ta'if between the mountains as a form of divine retribution for their cruelty.

Yet, the Prophet ﷺ responded, "No, rather I hope that Allah will bring forth from their descendants people who will worship Allah alone, associating nothing with Him."

Despite the severe injustice he faced, the Prophet ﷺ had no desire for revenge.

Today, Ta'if is a city rich in Islamic heritage; its inhabitants are all Muslim.

The Prophet's ﷺ Dua was realized; generations of believers came from the people who once rejected him.

Reflection:

Reflect on the importance of directing our grievances and vulnerabilities to Allah alone, recognizing Him as the ultimate source of comfort and aid.

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Day 370

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