By Ali Kirat
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Juz’ 12 (11:6–12:52) relays the stories of several prophets (Yusuf, Ibrahim, Suhaib and Hud to name a few; peace be upon them all). Through their stories, we learn that they were all fully present. They were blessed individuals who did not allow time to slip through their fingers, but rather contemplated and struggled to draw nearer to the Divine. There are so many lessons to glean for this juz’ that Brother Kirat in reflecting upon these, offers us two reminders.
There is no moving creature on earth but its sustenance depends on Allah: He knows the time and place of its definite abode and its temporary deposit: All is in a clear Record. — 11:6
Seize(d).
Constriction. Unpleasant feelings. Uncertainty of the outcome. These are feelings that reside within an individual who is captured in a vacuum, a space with no substance or actuality. You feel fear because you are concerned about an unknown outcome — an event that has not yet taken place; an event that does not yet exist. When you are haunted by these emotions it is important to refocus on the moment that actually exists; the now. This is all you have.
Give yourself completely to the present, and you will find yourself overcoming many of the obstacles that you fear you can never transcend. You are capable! The ball is in your court. Will you pick it up and make a basket? Or will you watch the ball, thinking of all the possible ways it could end, while the timer keeps running? Time is precious and should not to be wasted or neglected. If you do not wield time, it will wreck you. Many have fallen victim to time’s blade thinking that they have a future beyond the present. And many will continue to fall; but the soil beneath your feet still awaits to experience the story of your life. Will you rise and seize your moments or will you fall? The choice is yours.
Time is precious and should not to be wasted or neglected. If you do not wield time, it will wreck you. Many have fallen victim to time’s blade thinking that they have a future beyond the present.
A Brief Reminder about Provisions
Juz’ 12 provides a wealth of lessons for us. Another lesson that resonated with me occurs later in Surah Hud (11:6),
There is not a single moving creature on the earth but Allah is responsible for providing its sustenance. He knows where it dwells and where it will permanently rest. All this is recorded in a clear Book.
Often we find ourselves caught in a rat race, thinking about how we are going to increase our wealth or accomplish the next great thing. All of these blessings, whether food, wealth or rewards, are already written for us in the clear Book. We are also reminded of this in a Hadith that Umar ibn Al Khattab (RA) relayed:
I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, “If you were to rely on Allah as He should be relied on, He would provide for you as He provides for the birds. They go out early in the morning hungry and return in the evening full.” – at-Tirmidhi (Hadith Hassan)
We will not increase or lessen anything other than that which has been written for us. This is a blessing, because it removes from our hearts the element of fear, and replaces it with trust and comfort. Comfort that God has written for us the outcome and that we must struggle to fulfill by putting in the effort. Whenever you experience fear for your provisions, remember this verse, and feel relief that the hand of God is always there to nourish you.
Ali Kirat received his Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Islamic Law and Theology from Zaytuna College. Thereafter, he obtained a Master of Arts in Islamic Studies from Claremont Graduate University. Brother Kirat enjoys reading, having deep philosophical discussions, hiking, running, and swimming. He lives in California, where he enjoys hunting down the best eateries and coffee shops.
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