Letter 34:
Of Veiling & Unveiling & Seeing the Wisdom of Everything
Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim
I am a firm believer that when you sincerely ask Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala for guidance, He will respond to you. While I know people who lament that Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala does not answer in times of trails because He is testing us (like a teacher should be quiet in an examination), I truly honestly believe that, that is not the case. I believe on the other hand, that it is our veils that prevent us from receiving the guidance and light from Him.
I remember once reading a story about a Sufi who praised Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala for everything, in every situation. When he received some good news, he said Alhamdulillah. When he received some bad news, he too said Alhamdulillah. In short, he said Alhamdulillah for every single thing that happened in his life.
I did not really think much about the story at that time, but as I continued walking on the path, it then struck me why the Sufi was able to say that. Because he did not have any veils covering him, he had nothing to prevent him from seeing the beauty in the narrative Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala has written for him.
Thus, there is no “bad” incident per se. To the Sufi, every single moment is the unraveling of a complete, beautiful story that Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala has written for him, one that is meant to incite a sense of heightened consciousness, awe, amazement and yes... gratitude.
Alhamdulillah!
Light upon light
(A collection of letters on life, love & God)
by Nur Fadhilah Wahid
(Page 131-132)
