When the best thing is losing
How does being with Allah change how we see the world and interact with what happens in life? How can what outwardly is a nuisance bring so many unexpected blessings?
Last week, I was invited to participate in the NJ Dawah conference on Allah's names. I flew 14 hours into JFK airport. Just before I got off the plane, I took an apple with me, just in case. Because it was the holiday season, the lines were incredibly long. After waiting almost an hour and a half, it was my turn to go through immigration. It started out smoothly. Then I was asked "do you have any fruits or vegetables?"
"Just some chocolate dates", I answered.
"Anything else?"
Oh the apple! "Oh yes, I have an apple I took from the plane".
"I have to take you to agriculture ma'am".
That added another 30 minutes, and they took away the apple. I had to go get my luggage first, but only one suitcase (I had two) had arrived. And the lost one had all my clothes! Because I was so late leaving, the car I had arranged had left. All in all, by the time I reached my destination, it took 6 hours from when I arrived.
Annoying right? But Allah is al-Karim the Noble, the Generous. Anything that 'harms' becomes a cause for forgiveness. Allah the Generous and the Forgiving gave me an opportunity to be forgiven through a minor inconvenience. Allah is al-Qabidh al-Basit; He withholds and He gives, and surely there is giving after the withholding. So we embrace the (very minor) discomfort, knowing there will be relief. The discomfort causes us to call upon Allah al-Mujib (the Responder). Indeed, how generous of Him for me to go through an inconvenience in order to remind me of who is really in control, and instead of taking ease for granted, asking Him for it because it can only come from Him.
In fact, Allah is so generous, that my inconvenience became a reason for the believers to come together and get rewarded. I was showered with care and concern from friends and loved ones, strangers and acquaintances, and friends who scrambled to provide me with the necessities. He is al-Wadud, who showers His love upon His servants, and puts love between the believers. And I felt the love from believers I knew and those I didn't.
So what ended up happening? When I arrived at the hotel, I fell asleep due to the long trip. During the night, I received an email that my baggage was delivered. Here was the opening! I woke up for fajer, and went to reception after.
But I was told there was no bag. Why?
Still more opportunity for rewards. Again, Allah facilitated for me through the believers, and I was taken to the stores to get things that I needed. Truly, Allah is generous, providing His servants with opportunities to do good!
I got back to the hotel, and miraculously one hour later, the receptionist said that my bag was delivered that morning. My journey with Allah al-Karim, al-Ghafur, al-Wadud, al-Qabidh al-Basit, al-Mujib, and so much more, made the adventure of losing my bag a spiritual journey of knowing Him.
Of course, Allah is al-Wahhab (the Giver) and al-Latif (the Subtle), and the NJ Dawah team had kindly arranged a care package. Included in the care package was an apple, replacing what had been taken from me. When Allah writes you an apple, no one can take that apple away :)
Allah is with us through the good and the bad, the mundane and the exceptional - we need to only realize. And while there were many beautiful moments during this trip, losing my bag became the best thing that happened to me.
What blessings have you found in your inconveniences?