For Hitham

Dr. Iyad Qanibi

Umm Hitham was knitting the woolen sweater (kanza) by hand for her son, who told her in his last call: "My beloved mother, I have a request. Knit me a woolen sweater by hand and ask my father to send it with my friend Imad. His flight is next Thursday. I know you will get tired knitting it, but I want to remember you when I wear it. I feel that in every stitch, you have woven your affection, your care, and your love, my dear. I feel that when I wear it, you are close to my heart. In short, my love, knit it... for me."

Abu Hitham would comment, half-jokingly, as he saw his wife engrossed in knitting: "So, Mr. Hitham, because of the lack of sweaters, you can buy the best sweater for twenty dinars instead of making your mother tire her eyes at night with this request!"

But Umm Hitham was never affected by what her husband said...

Hitham's words, "For me," echoed in her ears. From time to time, she would pause her knitting for a moment to wipe away her tears, tears of joy at fulfilling Hitham's request, or tears of longing for him.

Umm Hitham was knitting the sweater with enjoyment, even though her eyesight and a bit of stiffness in her fingers did not help her. But she would gather her strength whenever she remembered Hitham's words, "For me," and say to her husband, "Nothing is too much for Hitham. As long as Hitham asked, I will be patient."

Hard work turns into pleasure when the one who asks us is dear to our hearts. And with our love for him, the joy of suffering for him increases. What if the one who asks us is Allah, glorified and exalted be He! He asks you to be patient for His sake: "And those who are patient, seeking the countenance of their Lord" (Ar-Ra'd 22).

And Allah, glorified and exalted be He, said to His Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him: "And for your Lord, be patient." Some interpreters said its meaning is: make your patience for Allah and for His sake, glorified and exalted be He. Is there too much patience for Allah?

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "If a man were to drag his face on the ground from the day he is born until the day he dies in the pleasure of Allah, glorified and exalted be He, he would be disgraced on the Day of Judgment" (Hasan by Al-Albani). Imagine! If from your birth until the day of your death at an old age, you spent these eighty or ninety years dragging your face for the sake of Allah, glorified and exalted be He, you would despise this deed of yours on the Day of Judgment and find it to be nothing when you know the greatness of the Lord for whose sake you were tested and see His honor for your patience for His sake!

Whenever you feel the length of the trial and the exhaustion of patience, say: "Since Allah, glorified and exalted be He, asked me to be patient, I will be patient... seeking the countenance of Allah. For Allah, glorified and exalted be He, is the greatest beloved, and nothing is too much for Allah."