heart slow down and be calm. Step back and look at your situation
objectively. It's almost never as bad as you think. Just do your best,
and trust Allah. He will show you a way forward,and bring you through.
He will bring you relief from a direction you did not expect. This is
true. I have experienced it over and over in my life, and itis a
promise from Allah:
"And whoever is conscious of Allah, He willmake for him a way out, And
will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies
upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will
accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a
[decreed] extent." (Quran 65:2-3)
Here is a true story that illustrates this point in anamazing way:
The Hotel Manager
Recently, a Muslim man was caught in a dilemma,where he faced two
choices, both of which were onerous. This man was the manager of one
of the largest hotels in Egypt. The hospitality industry in Egypt is
one of the most competitive in the world so this manager always
strived to provide the best possible service in his hotel. He paid
attention to the smallest details, setthe budget priorities, observed
his staff, and got personally involved whenever a problem occurred. He
was very good at his job. Because of this he was highly valued by his
superiors.
However, there was one element of the job that galled him. A duty that
hefelt ashamed over. In any large hotel in Egypt, serving alcoholic
drinks isa must, and that duty waskilling him inside. He knew that
serving alcohol is haram. It is forbidden by Allah, and whatever money
comes from it is not blessed but haram; but it was part of the job and
had to be taken care of, regardless of how he felt towards it.
Time went by and he performed his job admirably, but this business of
selling alcohol was eating him up inside. Finally he decided to go to
one of the well- known Egyptiansheikhs and ask his advice. After
arranging for an appointment to meet this sheikh, he met him and
explained the problem. The sheikh without hesitation said, "You must
leave this job."
That was not enough of an answer for the manager. He explained tothe
sheikh, "This is the only job I know. I've been working in this field
all my life. I don't know what else to do. I have a wife and children
to take care of. I can't just leave the job and be unemployed and
penniless like so many others in Egypt."
The sheikh replied, "Did you come to me thinking that I might give you
permission to do what Allah forbids? Leave this job for the sake of
Allah."
The man, not knowing what to do, said, "But I have family to take care
of. I'm their only source of money. How will I feedmy children? If I
leave thejob, I won't be able to provide them with the simplest needs
of life. What shall I do?"
The sheikh reminded the manager of a verse from the Quran:
"And whoever is conscious of Allah, He willmake for him a way out, And
will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies
upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him."
The man returned to the hotel, knowing that he had to make the most
difficult decision of his life. He knew now that this job would not
satisfy Allah. As frightened as he was for his future, he was not
willing to lose his faith and lose the hereafter because of a job; but
he trembled when he thought of the risk he was taking, and the fear of
what the future might hold for himand his family.
At the hotel the manager went about his job, looking normal on the
outside. But inside he was thinking furiously, considering. Then he
made his decision. He decided to quit the job with no regrets. He
became convinced that this was the right thing to do. With a strong
faith and an absolute trust in Allah, he made a plea to the heavens:
"O Allah, I trust You, and I'm doing this only for You. I know you
will make for me away out, so please help me."
He headed directly to his office, sat at his desk, andbegan writing
his resignation.
As he was writing, the phone in front of him rang. It was his superior
at the corporation office, calling with news. The manager was stunned
and could hardly believe the news he heard, but it was true. The man
was informed that he had been promoted and would no longer be
responsible for managing this hotel but instead he would manage a new
hotel located in Al-Madinah, the holy city of our Prophet (peace be
upon him), and right next to the Masjid of the Prophet. Of course,
beingin Saudi Arabia, this new hotel sold no alcohol.
His dua had been answered in a heartbeat, from one moment to the next,
before he even finished the letter of resignation.
Till this day, the man is still the manager of the hotel in Madinah.
Subhan'Allah…
"Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we haveforgotten or erred.
Our Lord, and lay not upon usa burden like that which You laid upon
those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have
no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon
us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving
people." (Quran 002.286)
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