Episode 23 - O You Who Complain About Destiny!

O You Who Complains About Destiny!

In difficult moments of affliction, I first address myself to suppress the devil within and quell the beginnings of restlessness. Then, I direct a cry to the one who complains and is discontent with destiny, a cry from him to it, a cry that his limbs, the beautiful days in his life, and the numerous blessings that Allah has bestowed upon him scream. But the wicked nature forgets all of that and is preoccupied with complaining about the affliction as if he sees that Allah has deprived him of the blessings he deserves.

In previous episodes, we sought contentment with destiny in encouragement, but hardship sometimes benefits us, especially when encouragement does not. So, do not shun, O brother, the places of hardship in this poem, and save it for the day when your opinion worsens to suppress the soul that incites evil.

The Poem: Complaint About Destiny

It says:

If Allah tests you one day with a sin of yours, O Lord, why were you tested? You doubt the wisdom of the All-Wise Creator with bad assumptions, you have folded Have you forgotten, O brother of evil sins, so look at whom you have competed with? If you had blamed yourself when you were enveloped by a flame from its heat, you would have been burned Is the protection of the Creator not protecting you, have you been blinded?

Is it not Allah who gave you hearing so that you understood the speech of those you met? Is it not Allah who gave you an eye with which you saw your path and were guided? Is it not Allah who gave you a foot with which you walked in all paths? And you hold onto the hands as you wish and send, and you throw what you throw? And you complain with the tongue, and what can the tongue do to eat what you desire?

And the Merciful entrusts you with good preservation, with which you have reached your utmost and steadied Has He not concealed you in the darkness of the nights while you have striven in evil deeds? The time comes when people sleep and Allah arises, and you are grazed Is it not enough for you the blessings of the Generous, so that you remain complaining whenever you are tested?

If this is not enough, then you are dead, and if you do not know yet, then you have known And if the bounties of the Generous have overwhelmed you and have not satisfied your heart, then you are dead And if the praise has not flowed in your blood for the blessings of Allah, then you are dead And if the patience of longing for the Day of Reckoning has not healed your chest, then you are dead

So, restrain the soul from the decree of the All-Knowing, otherwise, the destruction if you refuse And say, O Lord, I have gratitude that reaches my grateful and caring [self] So, remember an eternal bliss with an immersion in it, for you have forgotten You will forget all harm and injury as if you have not grieved and wept

Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.