Answer
Salam Dear Karim,
Thank you for your question and for contacting Ask About Islam.
And yes, you understand the concept correctly. Everything in this universe happens to our best but due to our limitedness, we fail to see the benefit of it. Indeed, this is a test of faith in Allah.
This sense of trust in Allah is an outcome of loving Allah and loving Allah is something that needs a lot of work; starting from turning to Him at all times and asking Him to place His love in your heart. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to pray:
“O Allah, grant me Your love and the love of those who love you and the love of deeds that draw me closer to your love.”
Next to that, you need to know Allah and read about His Attributes as you cannot love someone you do not know; so read about Allah and try to know Him with your heart not only with your senses. Sidi Muhammad ibn Al-Habib Al-Amghari (may Allah be pleased with him) says in his poem:
How many a blessing You showered upon me,
And Your bounty is magnificent as I see,
You fed me when I was in my mother womb,
And you looked after me before my own parents,
You guided me to Islam and,
Without Your guidance I would not have known the Prophet
Allah, Allah is my Lord My assistance, and my sufficiency, I have no one but He
When we think of what we believe to be absolute evil, we realize that it is our limitedness that makes it appear so and have we had access to the future, we would have chosen nothing but that Divine decree.
Being content with Allah comes from realizing that this world is fake and it is coming to an expiry. Sheikh Abu Madyan Al-Ghawth (may Allah be pleased with him) says:
“And know that everything other than Allah,
Is in reality ‘vain’ in whole and in part”
When we lose some of our loved ones we see it a disaster; failing to know that they and us will be departing from this universe sooner or later, it is just a matter of time. May Allah grant us a heart that knows and loves and realizes the truths of things.
I hope this helps answer your question.
Salam and please keep in touch.
(From Ask About Islam archive)