Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Allahﷻ Says in the Holy Quran,

قَالُوا۟ يَـٰٓأَبَانَا ٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوبَنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا خَـٰطِـِٔينَ

قَالَ سَوْفَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكُمْ رَبِّىٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

They [the brothers of Sayyidina Yusuf] said, "O our father, ask forgiveness of our guilty (deeds) for us; surely we have been sinners.” He [Sayyidina Yaqub] said, "Eventually I will ask my Lord to forgive you; surely He, Ever He, is The Ever-Forgiving, The Ever-Merciful."

(Quran 12:97-98)

Sayyidina Yaqub Alayhi salam is a great role model of one exercising ‘sabrun jameel’, showing graceful patience, despite the heavy test of his sons plotting against their brother, Sayyidina Yusuf Alayhi salam. In the verse above, we find Sayyidina Yaqub’s answer to his children’s repentance saying, he would eventually, at a later time, seek forgiveness from Allahﷻ for their sins.

Mawlanaق has taught us that Sayyidina Yaqub was delaying his prayer, waiting for the best time, when supplications are highly likely to be accepted, to beseech in Allahﷻ to pardon his children. Here, we find, the perfect interpretation of the Quran, with the guidance of a Murshid, that Sayyidina Yaqub although in deep sorrow, was waiting to meet a time most suitable to be most intimate with Allah Most High, supplicate to Himﷻ and have his dua accepted, such as on a Friday or during the last third of the night, during Tahajjud.

Prophetﷺ, said, “Wondrous is the affair of a believer, as there is good for him in every matter; this is not the case for anyone but a believer. If he experiences pleasure, he thanks Allah and it is good for him. If he experiences harm, he shows patience and it is good for him.”

Hadeeth Sahih Muslim 2999

For a believer, Allah Almighty has made ease and difficulty both beneficial to him. Religion has been perfected, made easy and when diligently practiced, brings ease to a person here and hereafter. Indeed, what a marvelous position to be in.

Like Sayyidina Yaqub, a believer is hopeful to His Lord in difficulty, and thankful when at ease. A beneficial trait that is essential to impart in the young. Being frugal, delaying their childish wants, teaching them to learn through difficulty, builds resilience in a child, eventually helping them grow into adults who are hopeful in any trials Allahﷻ lays for them, throughout life.

When one understands the reality of this life being a place of tests, a lowly place that Allahﷻ does not look at, except to Gaze and see Hisﷻ beloved servants, then will one also yearn to attain this Loving Gaze. It is a journey of finding Hisﷻ beloved servants, Saintly ones, sitting at their feet as students and following their every advice.

Mawlanaق said that we are sent to this earthly life like droplets of water, individuals with an egoistic-self and, with proper guidance from a Murshid, every droplet can eventually meet the indispensable ocean, Allah Almighty, dissolving, in unity, with Hisﷻ Will.

With time, the droplets in the Ocean of Unity changes further, becomes free from its weighted liquid state, annihilated, travelling upwards as vapour, and dances with the atmosphere. Like this, a sincere mureed will slowly learn through the many tests and trials of life, guided to discard his will, only accept Allah’sﷻ Will and ultimately be guided to attain true companionship with Allahﷻ, reaching servanthood.

A mureed must do his utmost to be in worship, slowly building to progress in prayers, service in this Way, following the orders of his Guide, and beautifying his actions with Sincerity and Thankfulness.

Holy Prophetﷺ taught this dua, “O Living, O Sustainer, by Your mercy I seek deliverance. Take care of all my affairs and do not leave me to the care of myself even for the blink of an eye.”

A sincere mureed must learn to surrender all matters of this fleeting life, good or otherwise, to Allahﷻ, realising that everything is in reality, from Hisﷻ Generosity, full of Love and never without Great Wisdom.

May Allahﷻ make us to be ones patient in adversity, sincere in our actions, thankful ones whose hearts are inspired to have Himﷻ choose for us all our affairs in life and to make us annihilated ones, only living with Hisﷻ Will.