Lessons From A Camel

Assalaau'alaykum,

Last week, as I prepared for my journey to the Middle East, I said to my children,

“I will not leave the desert without riding a camel, InshaAllah!”

I’ve never ridden a camel before but of course, with my love for adventures, animals and nature, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. 

I’ve heard crazy stories of people hopping on to camels and then fearing for their lives as the camel has a “wild moment” and I’ve seen videos of riders being thrown off but none of that deterred me. 

There’s something about being in the desert and riding the very animal that our beloved Prophet SAW did so many times that appealed to my heart.

Long story short, this photo is as close as I got to riding a camel on that trip, sadly :(

Although I enjoyed many other aspects of our trip, I felt slightly disappointed for not fulfilling this particular wish, which naturally led me to reflect on it. 

Although this is a very minor thing in the grand scheme of life and things, a deeper lesson emerged from it, subhanaAllah.

It may be that the very thing you wish for is standing right in front of you. You might be able to see it, touch it (in this case even smell it! :)

But sometimes that’s as far as your Qadr (fate) goes. It may not be destined for you at that particular moment.

Alhamdulilah ala kulli haal (Praise be to Allah in every situation).

In such moments, whether they concern small or more significant matters, finding solace in the phrase "Qaddara Allahu wa ma sha'a fa'ala (Allah has decreed and whatever He wills, He does)" can bring about a more relaxed tranquil state in our hearts. 

InshaAllah, I hope I will get another opportunity to ride a camel in the desert :) 

But for now, my heart is at peace knowing that I planned, but Allah’s plans are always better for me. 

With the blessed month of Ramadan upon us, there’s no better time to renew and refine our attitude towards life's outcomes. 

With this in mind, here are 5 powerful ways to handle yourself when things don’t go as planned:

1. Trust in Allah's Plan: Remember Allah's words, "Perhaps you dislike something good for you and like something bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know" (Quran 2:216). Trust that His plans are always superior, surrender the outcomes to Allah SWT, and find peace in His divine guidance. 
2. Seek Forgiveness (Make Istighfar): Seeking forgiveness opens the doors to relief, happiness and answered duaas. It cleanses the heart and actions, drawing you closer to Allah SWT.
3. Remember Allah is Al-Muhaymin: Reflect on Allah's attribute as Al-Muhaymin, The Protector and Overseer. Know that He is aware of everything, both open and hidden. If He leads you down a different path, trust that it is for your ultimate benefit, perhaps saving you from harm.
4. Practice Gratitude: Instead of dwelling on what didn’t happen or what you lack, focus on the blessings you currently possess. Cultivating gratitude fills your heart with contentment and shifts your perspective to one of abundance.
5. Be Resourceful: Maintain an optimistic outlook and keep moving forward. Don't succumb to a defeatist mentality; instead, be proactive and resilient. With Husnul Thun Billah (having a good opinion of Allah), continue to strive and seek, knowing that the believer is always in motion.

May Allah SWT grant us strength and perseverance during these challenging times and may He guide us towards goodness while safeguarding us from all harm. Ameen ya Rabb!

P.S. If you want to work on shifting your perspectives and aligning your efforts with your highest spiritual values and aspirations, click HERE to schedule a 1:1 discovery call with me to explore your current challenges and discuss personalised strategies to help you bridge the gap from where you are to where you want to be. 

P.P.S. We’re busy behind the scenes putting together our third round of The Travellers (open to all). Register your interest HERE to be the first to know once we go live!