Just One Dua Away

The only thing that can make or break us, is us. It is the connection between the mind and the heart. Our decisions. And Allah constantly invites us to make better decisions.

-AbdelRahman Mussa

She had gone to wake him up, and ended up crashing her world. It was but a blinking text. She should have ignored it and gone about her business. ‘Shoulds’, huh? Funny. Who ignores blinking texts on their brothers’ phones anyways? Irresponsible siblings, that’s who. And especially when the brother in question is a little one.

It was quite agonising to be honest. She scrolled up through the conversation and could only try to keep the lid down on her oesophagus as bile threatened to rise. Constricted throat and parched tongue do little to help when one is surrounded by inquisitive family members. And then there’s the ‘sibling dilemma’, the one that talks of having each other’s backs, and honours. What to do, what not to?

She found herself in the restroom soon after. Heaving sobs that shuddered through the body. What now? Who do you talk to? What was he thinking? What were THEY thinking? There is no way the situation was going to solve itself. She had to do something, but was quite lost as to the specifics.

The day wore on, and no light bulbs appeared atop her head. Struggling with attempts to busy herself, and failing miserably each time, she would question who and what to tell. As the night darkened, soon to melt into day, she texted a friend. Being the friend that they were, they did not question but advised talking to elders.

“It would be wisest to seek your parents’ counsel,” they said.

For what it was worth, she finally decided to talk to him herself. She had once read a book about handling difficult conversations, and so taking the bite between her teeth, she did.

Lord knows better whether her actions were wise or not so much, but you know now what should have been the first step, don’t you? Appealing to Him. That would have been the best course of action. That is sure to keep you strong. The wisest counsel is only through Him, and the strongest support too. This is not to demean any action that we take in our difficult situations, but that they are best when we turn to Al-Hakeem (the Most Wise) first.

And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me, Indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided. (Al Baqarah: 186)

Yes, sudden trials will come and we shall often feel responsible for taking action. And it may also, very probably be because we are supposed to take action in that position/role. But one of the innumerable best things about being Muslim is that I have got the Almighty Creator, my Allah with me on my side insha Allah! What more do you need?