Answer
Short Answer: There can be countless reasons behind why Allah has kept something from you. Maybe Allah is not giving a person something due to the harm it may have on the certain individual. Or the object will bring about many negative things in the person’s life, because at times there are people who don’t understand how to handle certain blessings. For example, it may bring pride in a person or arrogance. A person may start looking down upon others, etc.
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Assalamualaikum, and thank you for approaching us with your concern.
As Muslims we believe in the six articles of faith. They are belief in Allah, belief in the angels, belief in the messengers, belief in the books revealed, belief in the day of judgement, and last but not least belief in the qadr, or predestination. If something occurs in our life it is due to this sixth pillar of faith that we accept it, and we bear with all of it, the good and the bad.
Allah Almighty says:
“No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al Lawh Al Mahfooz) before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah.” (Quran 57:22)
Decree
Allah has a book with Him in the heavens called (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz) . In this book Allah has recorded all that will take place till the end of time and even afterward. For instance, Allah has recorded for a person, his life span, amount of children, whether he will be among the righteous and so on.
If everything is already decided does that mean that you give up? No! Because Allah can change things written in the precious book. Allah says,
“Allah blots out what He wills and confirms (what He wills)” (Quran 13:39)
One point to understand is that Allah’s knowledge is infinite whereas man’s is not.
The Result of Hard Work
Have you ever heard of a professor who gives out detailed answers for test papers? Obviously not, the professor will give you only guidelines with bits and pieces of information to help you prepare for your test. Does that mean that you don’t study?
On the day of your examination you are uncertain of the content, but you still try to do your best because you want to achieve something. Allah will also try us, though these tests will have different forms such as loss of wealth, children, or health. Many times tests are a blessing in disguise.
Allah has placed in all of our lives some form of difficulty, and He has already warned us through many verses in the Quran, that he will test the believers. As believers we should have a positive outlook about going through adversities that we face. We should try and be patient through hard times because Allah has promised us that we will be rewarded for every single hardship that we experience.
“Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter.”(Quran 16:97)
Isn’t that amazing? Allah will test you and that’s a given, however he also blesses you through that test and while being tried you are also compensated for the pain you went through. Can you comprehend the bounty and generosity of Allah!
Hope
There can be countless reasons behind why Allah has kept something from you. Maybe Allah is not giving a person something due to the harm it may have on the certain individual. Or the object will bring about many negative things in the person’s life, because at times there are people who don’t understand how to handle certain blessings. For example, it may bring pride in a person or arrogance. A person may start looking down upon others, etc.
If you are working hard so that you will get a good grade then you should continue to strive with good intentions. However one thing you should not do is overstress about it because you lost mere points from achieving a perfect score. Do not lose hope. It is when a believer starts to falter that Shaytan finds a way to sneak in and spread negative thoughts to him. Try to build a strong wall around you which Shaytan can not penetrate.
Dua and Good Thoughts about Allah
A believer should also have good thoughts about Allah. Continue to make Dua to Allah, because Dua is a weapon of a believer and plenty good comes from it. Allah responds to duas in numerous forms. It may be that Allah has saved you from a calamity due to your dua, or He has blessed you with something better, or He has saved it for you when you will need it most, on the day of judgement.
Also, always have good hope from Allah that whatever acts of obedience you are performing should be accepted. As reported by at-Tirmidhi from Anas, according to which the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) entered upon a young man as he was dying, and said to him:
How do you find yourself? He said: I have hope in Allah but I am afraid because of my sins. The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “These two feelings (fear and hope) do not coexist in a person’s heart in this situation but Allah will give him what he hopes for and keep him safe from what he fears.”
And Allah knows best.
I hope this helps.
Salam and please keep in touch.
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