When we consider ourselves spiritual and the “men and women of God,” we think we need to become monks who sit on their prayer rug with prayer beads and do dhikr (remembrance of Allah ﷻ) all day, especially in time of struggles and difficulties. All of that is fine as long as we are spending our time making sure we have done our part. We need to first and foremost put our trust in Allah ﷻ, as long as we have ‘tied our camels’. This term comes from a story where a companion of Our Beloved Prophet ﷺ left his camel without tying it. Our Beloved Prophet ﷺ asked him: “Why do not you tie down your camel?” The man said, “I put my trust in Allah ﷻ” to which Prophet ﷺ responded, “Tie your camel first, then put your trust in Allah ﷻ.” (Recorded in Jami’ at-Tirmidhi) Part of our faith is to know and teach our ourselves and our children to trust Allah ﷻ in every situation. But we need to do the necessary action too, as the hadith implies, and we must be aware of that and take ownership. We need to study for our test, and then put our trust in Allah ﷻ to pass. Take the medication, and then put our trust in Allah ﷻ to cure us. Work out and eat healthy, and then put our trust in Allah ﷻ to give us health and strength. Buckle up and drive safely, and then put our trust in Allah ﷻ to keep us safe. We need to work hard, make a living, spend in the cause of Allah ﷻ, and then put our trust in Allah ﷻ to eliminate poverty. I think we got the point! Confidence in Islam, optimism, responsibility, faith, physical strength, leadership and action - seven qualities we need to instil in ourselves and our children, to become productive individuals of the Ummah. It’s never too late to start – have sincere intentions to establish these values within yourself and help to nature them in the people around you, In-Shaa'Allah. Source unknown Moral of the story: Don’t forget to do YOUR bit