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Plan Or Play

Life moves as a pull between what has passed and what is still to come. The past carries its delicate traces, while the future stands directly before us, waiting to unfold. This tension often makes us feel behind, as if we are waiting for proof of what we believe. Yet this is the very nature of life—a hidden flow always at work, shaping what we see and experience.There is always a behind-the-scenes effect unfolding throughout the course of our lives. Nothing stands on its own. Every matter carries with it a chain of planning, influence, or result that eventually comes to light. Whether it be stored memory, internal recordings, the sway of society, or cultural conditioning—there is always an unseen current shaping the messages we receive and the choices we make. For that reason, we are meant to have deep regard for the source of things and the cause-and-effect that follows.Life’s resources are precious, and they are meant to be filtered, preserved, and respected. Yet the challenge is that many confuse resources with personal rights. History continues to show us humanity’s failure in this: when people assume that just because they desire something to go a certain way, they are entitled to force it in that direction. In doing so, they miss the essence of sincerity and the reality of fate that we are meant to earn. This internal stubbornness is what society often validates, labeling it as “struggle” when in truth it only feeds superficiality.That very internalization creates a hunger for false “nourishment”—a need to validate discomfort instead of truly embracing and acknowledging it. Most people do not recognize this as corruption, yet it is. It is disguised under the banners of freedom of speech and freedom of will, but in reality, it is a form of self-sabotage. Corruption that convinces the mind that lack of discipline is acceptable,&nbsp; that impatience in the face of discomfort can be excused, as long as it is hidden behind a façade. So we allow this condiitonal notion to pause our own growth, afraid to revisit or expose the “behind the scenes” of our lives, when in reality, our purpose is to move forward.The essence of faith is to keep moving—just as we believe in the unseen, we are to trust in the unfolding of the future. We cannot regard faith as a favor to ourselves or to the Cause; it is not secondary. It is primary to the Source of life itself—because it was the way in, and it is the way out. If Allah had made life confined only to the present moment, with no uncertainty about the future, there would be no test. Instead, He commands us to embrace the good, filter out the bad, and walk with certainty in faith.This is not about decisions that produce instant results. It is about choosing every day to preserve as much integrity as you held yesterday—and to add more today. Integrity is the same discipline that secures a livelihood, preserves relationships, and sustains trust. So why would the Lord of the Worlds expect anything less of us in our devotion to Him? He expects us to keep our light strong, to earn the knowledge that integrity grants, because our individual understanding of having integrity is what sets us apart. &nbsp;Allah reminds us:“He it is Who sent down As-Sakinah (calmness and tranquility) into the hearts of the believers, that they may grow more in Faith along with their (present) Faith. And to Allah belong the hosts of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise. That He may admit the believing men and the believing women to Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to abide therein forever, and He may expiate from them their sins; and that is with Allah, a supreme success. And that He may punish the hypocrites, men and women, and also the polytheists, men and women, who think evil thoughts about Allah. For them is a disgraceful torment, and the Anger of Allah is upon them, and He has cursed them and prepared Hell for them — and worst indeed is that destination.” (Qur’an 48:4–6, Muhsin Khan) In today’s world, hearing words like tranquility may sound “cheesy” to hear as generations and categories of language dismiss depth and turn notions into labels. But Allah intends for each person to perceive His words according to what they’ve earned in their own sincerity. It is up to us to look up their true meaning, to nourish that integrity and maintain our regard for His divine surveillance.Without faith, people turn vulnerability into a tool for bonding and coping—using fleeting superficialities as a replacement for truth. But Allah makes it clear for those who lack belief, who hinder others from His path, and who oppose the way of His Messenger ﷺ by standing against him and hurting him even after guidance has been shown, will not harm Him in the least. They will only harm themselves.In the end, the behind-the-scenes of life is not meant to paralyze us with fear or make us desperate for control—it is meant to remind us of our position before Allah. The past refines us, the future tests us, and the present is where our choices take root. Our iman (faith) is the daily discipline of integrity, the courage to move forward even without proof in hand. What matters is not forcing life into the shape of our desires, but aligning ourselves with the truth of His will. In that alignment, we stop sabotaging ourselves and hearken to live with the certainty that every unseen detail is accounted for by the One who controls all things. Bism Illah Al Rahman Al Raheem Surah Qalam Bism Illah Al Rahman Al Raheem1. Nun.[These letters (Nun, etc.) are one of the miracles of the Qur’an, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings].By the pen and what the (angels) write (in the Records of men).2. You (O Muhammad &nbsp;) are not, by the Grace of your Lord, a madman.3. And verily, for you (O Muhammad &nbsp;) will be an endless reward.4. And verily, you (O Muhammad &nbsp;) are on an exalted standard of character.5. You will see, and they will see,6. Which of you is afflicted with madness.7. Verily, your Lord knows better, who (among men) has gone astray from His Path, and He knows better those who are guided.8. So (O Muhammad &nbsp;) obey not the deniers [(of Islamic Monotheism those who belie the Verses of Allah), the Oneness of Allah, and the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad &nbsp;), etc.]9. They wish that you should compromise (in religion out of courtesy) with them, so they (too) would compromise with you.10. And obey not everyone who swears much, and is considered worthless,11. A slanderer, going about with calumnies,12. Hinderer of the good, transgressor, sinful,13. Cruel, after all that base-born (of illegitimate birth),14. (He was so) because he had wealth and children.15. When Our Verses (of the Qur’an) are recited to him, he says: “Tales of the men of old!”16. We shall brand him over the nose!17. Verily, We have tried them as We tried the people of the garden, when they swore to pluck the fruits of the (garden) in the morning,18. Without saying: Insha’ Allah (If Allah will).19. Then there passed by on the (garden) something (fire) from your Lord at night and burnt it while they were asleep.20. So the (garden) became black by the morning, like a pitch dark night (in complete ruins).21. Then they called out one to another as soon as the morning broke,22. Saying: “Go to your tilth in the morning, if you would pluck the fruits.”23. So they departed, conversing in secret low tones (saying),24. No Miskin (poor man) shall enter upon you into it today.25. And they went in the morning with strong intention, thinking that they have power (to prevent the poor taking anything of the fruits therefrom).26. But when they saw the (garden), they said: “Verily, we have gone astray,”27. (Then they said): “Nay! Indeed we are deprived of (the fruits)!”28. The best among them said: “Did I not tell you: why do you not say: Insha’ Allah (If Allah will).”29. They said: “Glory to Our Lord! Verily, we have been Zalimun (wrong-doers, etc.).”30. Then they turned, one against another, in blaming.31. They said: “Woe to us! Verily, we were Taghun (transgressors and disobedient, etc.)32. We hope that our Lord will give us in exchange a better (garden) than this. Truly, we turn to our Lord (wishing for good that He may forgive our sins, and reward us in the Hereafter).”33. Such is the punishment (in this life), but truly, the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they but knew.34. Verily, for the Muttaqun (pious and righteous persons – see V.2:2) are Gardens of delight (Paradise) with their Lord.35. Shall We then treat the (submitting) Muslims like the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists and disbelievers, etc.)?36. What is the matter with you? How judge you?37. Or have you a Book through which you learn.38. That you shall have all that you choose?39. Or you have oaths from Us, reaching to the Day of Resurrection that yours will be what you judge.40. Ask them, which of them will stand surety for that!41. Or have they “partners”? Then let them bring their “partners” if they are truthful!42. (Remember) the Day when the Shin shall be laid bare (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) and they shall be called to prostrate (to Allah), but they (hypocrites) shall not be able to do so,43. Their eyes will be cast down, ignominy will cover them; they used to be called to prostrate (offer prayers), while they were healthy and good (in the life of the world, but they did not).44. Then leave Me Alone with such as belie this Qur’an. We shall punish them gradually from directions they perceive not.45. And I will grant them a respite. Verily, My Plan is strong.46. Or is it that you (O Muhammad &nbsp;) ask them a wage, so that they are heavily burdened with debt?47. Or that the Ghaib (unseen here in this Verse it means Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz) is in their hands, so that they can write it down?48. So wait with patience for the Decision of your Lord, and be not like the Companion of the Fish, when he cried out (to Us) while he was in deep sorrow. (See the Qur’an, Verse 21:87).49. Had not a Grace from his Lord reached him, he would indeed have been (left in the stomach of the fish, but We forgave him), so he was cast off on the naked shore, while he was to be blamed.50. But his Lord chose him and made him of the righteous.51. And verily, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes through hatredness when they hear the Reminder (the Qur’an), and they say: “Verily, he (Muhammad &nbsp;) is a madman!”52. But it is nothing else than a Reminder to all the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). Surah Fath (The Victory) 1. Verily, We have given you (O Muhammad &nbsp;) a manifest victory.2. That Allah may forgive you your sins of the past and the future, and complete His Favour on you, and guide you on the Straight Path;3. And that Allah may help you with strong help.4. He it is Who sent down As-Sakinah (calmness and tranquillity) into the hearts of the believers, that they may grow more in Faith along with their (present) Faith. And to Allah belong the hosts of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise.5. That He may admit the believing men and the believing women to Gardens under which rivers flow (i.e. Paradise), to abide therein forever, and to expiate from them their sins, and that is with Allah, a supreme success,6. And that He may punish the Munafiqun (hypocrites), men and women, and also the Mushrikun men and women, who think evil thoughts about Allah, for them is a disgraceful torment, and the Anger of Allah is upon them, and He has cursed them and prepared Hell for them, and worst indeed is that destination.7. And to Allah belong the hosts of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise.8. Verily, We have sent you (O Muhammad &nbsp;) as a witness, as a bearer of glad tidings, and as a warner.9. In order that you (O mankind) may believe in Allah and His Messenger ( ), and that you assist and honour him ( ), and (that you) glorify (Allah’s) praises morning and afternoon.10. Verily, those who give Bai’a (pledge) to you (O Muhammad &nbsp;) they are giving Bai’a (pledge) to Allah. The Hand of Allah is over their hands. Then whosoever breaks his pledge, breaks only to his own harm, and whosoever fulfills what he has covenanted with Allah, He will bestow on him a great reward.11. Those of the bedouins who lagged behind will say to you: “Our possessions and our families occupied us, so ask forgiveness for us.” They say with their tongues what is not in their hearts. Say: “Who then has any power at all (to intervene) on your behalf with Allah, if He intends you hurt or intends you benefit? Nay, but Allah is Ever All-Aware of what you do.12. “Nay, but you thought that the Messenger ( ) and the believers would never return to their families; and that was made fair-seeming in their hearts, and you did think an evil thought and you became a useless people going for destruction.”13. And whosoever does not believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad &nbsp;), then verily, We have prepared for the disbelievers a blazing Fire .14. And to Allah belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, He forgives whom He wills, and punishes whom He wills. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.15. Those who lagged behind will say, when you set forth to take the spoils, “Allow us to follow you,” They want to change Allah’s Words. Say: “You shall not follow us; thus Allah has said beforehand.” Then they will say: “Nay, you envy us.” Nay, but they understand not except a little.16. Say (O Muhammad &nbsp;) to the bedouins who lagged behind: “You shall be called to fight against a people given to great warfare, then you shall fight them, or they shall surrender. Then if you obey, Allah will give you a fair reward, but if you turn away as you did turn away before, He will punish you with a painful torment.”17. No blame or sin is there upon the blind, nor is there blame or sin upon the lame, nor is there blame or sin upon the sick (that they go not forth to war). And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad &nbsp;), He will admit him to Gardens beneath which rivers flow (Paradise); and whosoever turns back, He will punish him with a painful torment.18. Indeed, Allah was pleased with the believers when they gave their Bai’a (pledge) to you (O Muhammad &nbsp;) under the tree, He knew what was in their hearts, and He sent down As-Sakinah (calmness and tranquillity) upon them, and He rewarded them with a near victory,19. And abundant spoils that they will capture. And Allah is Ever All-Mighty, All-Wise.20. Allah has promised you abundant spoils that you will capture, and He has hastened for you this, and He has restrained the hands of men from you, that it may be a sign for the believers, and that He may guide you to a Straight Path.21. And other (victories and much booty there are, He promises you) which are not yet within your power, indeed Allah compasses them, And Allah is Ever Able to do all things.22. And if those who disbelieve fight against you, they certainly would have turned their backs, then they would have found neither a Wali (protector) nor a helper.23. That has been the Way of Allah already with those who passed away before. And you will not find any change in the Way of Allah.24. And He it is Who has withheld their hands from you and your hands from them in the midst of Makkah, after He had made you victors over them. And Allah is Ever the All-Seer of what you do.25. They are the ones who disbelieved (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism), and hindered you from Al-Masjid-al-Haram (the sacred mosque of Makkah) and the sacrificial animals, detained from reaching their place of sacrifice. Had there not been believing men and believing women whom you did not know, that you may kill them, and on whose account a sin would have been committed by you without (your) knowledge, that Allah might bring into His Mercy whom He will, if they (the believers and the disbelievers) should have been apart, We verily had punished those of them who disbelieved, with painful torment.26. When those who disbelieve had put in their hearts pride and haughtiness the pride and haughtiness of the time of ignorance, then Allah sent down His Sakinah (calmness and tranquillity) upon His Messenger ( &nbsp;) and upon the believers, and made them stick to the word of piety (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and they were well entitled to it and worthy of it. And Allah is the All-Knower of everything.27. &nbsp;Indeed Allah shall fulfil the true vision which He showed to His Messenger ( ) [i.e. the Prophet &nbsp; saw a dream that he has entered Makkah along with his companions, having their (head) hair shaved and cut short] in very truth. Certainly, you shall enter Al-Masjid-al-Haram; if Allah wills, secure, (some) having your heads shaved, and (some) having your head hair cut short, having no fear. He knew what you knew not, and He granted besides that a near victory.28. He it is Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad &nbsp;) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islam), that He may make it (Islam) superior over all religions. And All-Sufficient is Allah as a Witness.29. Muhammad ( ) is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking Bounty from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. The mark of them (i.e. of their Faith) is on their faces (foreheads) from the traces of (their) prostration (during prayers). This is their description in the Taurat (Torah). But their description in the Injeel (Gospel) is like a (sown) seed which sends forth its shoot, then makes it strong, it then becomes thick, and it stands straight on its stem, delighting the sowers that He may enrage the disbelievers with them. Allah has promised those among them who believe (i.e. all those who follow Islamic Monotheism, the religion of Prophet Muhammad &nbsp; till the Day of Resurrection) and do righteous good deeds, forgiveness and a mighty reward (i.e. Paradise).

Absorbing Certainty

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