I teach a Qur'an class, and today’s lesson was on Surat Qasas, and there were two ayat that hit me. I’ve read and listened to this Surah many times, alhamdulilah, but it’s amazing how certain things just leap out at you.
For those who do not know, Musa’s (Moses) mother was told by God how to save her child from Pharaoh’s soldiers who wanted to kill him [Musa], with:
“And so, [when he was born,] We inspired [thus] the mother of Moses: ‘Suckle him [for a time], and then, when thou hast cause to fear for him. cast him into the river, and have no fear and do not grieve - for We shall restore him to thee, and shall make him one of Our message-bearers!’” [28:7]
Look at this: God is telling Musa’s mother, “don’t worry, I’m going to take care of him, I’m going to make him a Prophet, his future is bright, so don’t stress, I mean… c'mon, I’m God… You should probably trust Me.” Okay, maybe the last part isn’t there exactly, but again, God is reassuring her.
Think about it: God is telling her this, that He’s going to bring Musa back to her, that Musa’s future is as a Prophet of God, and so what you’d expect is that his mother would click her heels and just shrug it all off.
That’s how we pretend that the figures in The Qur'an deal with the tough times they have.
But that’s not what happens, it’s a tough situation to be in, she’s parted with her infant son, she’s been through trauma, she’s worried about him, why? Because she’s a mother. So what does The Qur'an say?
“On the morrow, however, an aching void grew up in the heart of the mother of Moses, and she would indeed have disclosed all about him had We not endowed her heart with enough strength to keep alive her faith [in Our promise].” [28:10]
Later on she’s getting scared. She wants to run out and find her child, she would disclose his identity, get him killed and probably herself too in the process, but she’s so worried, so fearful for her child, but it is God’s Mercy that gets her through this.
No one told you that patience would be easy. No one said that doing the right thing would be a walk in the park. No one told you that avoiding sin would be the fun thing to do. No one told you that wanting to be quiet when you have to speak up would be convenient. No one said that.
Realize that your faith is what will steel you for the challenges you face. That you are not alone in a struggle to do the right thing, that you’re not alone in worrying about starting to pray, or to fast, or to start taking on more responsibilities, you’re not the first, nor will you be the last person to be worried, to feel the strain on your patience, to feel like you’re bursting at the seams.
The point here is to stay the course, to remember that this will be tough, but this is what is best, for you, for those around you, and for your destiny.
“Grieve not: verily, God is with us.” [9:40]
Every time you are afraid. Every time you are nervous. Every time you have knots in your stomach. Every time your heart hurts, remember, God is with you.
