What kind of results are we expecting? Excellent? Very good? Good? A pass? A fail? Every time we take exams, we anticipate our results and pray sincerely for excellent outcomes. But have we ever considered the main exams we are currently undergoing?
We often measure success by academic results; A’s, distinctions, or simply a pass. We study, prepare, and sometimes even lose sleep, all in pursuit of good grades and the satisfaction that comes with them. But what about the bigger test, the one we’re living through every day? This life, with all its ups and downs, is an exam in itself. Every action, every word, every choice we make is being recorded. Are we striving for excellence in that test too? Are we conscious of the way we treat others, the way we speak, the sincerity of our prayers, or how we spend our time? While academic exams are temporary and their certificates perish, the results of this life determine our eternity. Are we truly preparing for that ultimate result; the one on the Day of Judgment?
Allah SWT says in Al-Mulk 67:2
ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ ٱلۡمَوۡتَ وَٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبۡلُوَكُمۡ أَيُّكُمۡ أَحۡسَنُ عَمَلࣰاۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡغَفُورُ
[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed – and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving.
We all know that Allah is the sole creator of everything and the controller of all affairs. It saddens the heart when we experience different forms of ease and difficulty and forget the One who made us. During times of ease, we often forget Him. But what about during difficult times? Have you forgotten that the One who created you is all-capable and mighty? How often do we remember to turn to Him, pouring out all that we’ve been holding in? He listens, He helps, and He never disappoints. That is the power of the One who made us!
Know that the fact you are reading this is known to the Almighty. Every single action of ours is being recorded and will be presented to us on the Day of Judgment. So let us hasten to perform good deeds and seek Allah’s forgiveness, eternal reward, and mercy. It is only by His blessings and mercy that we can pass excellently in the hereafter. Do not despair in His mercy.
Allah says in Surah Az-Zumar 39:53-54
قُلۡ يَٰعِبَادِيَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسۡرَفُواْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُواْ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًاۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ. وَأَنِيبُوٓاْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمۡ وَأَسۡلِمُواْ لَهُۥ مِن قَبۡلِ أَن يَأۡتِيَكُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ.
Say, “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allāh. Indeed, Allāh forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped.”
Our Maker is so magnificent and merciful that even if we err a million times and then turn back to Him sincerely just once, He deletes all our previous sins and blesses us abundantly. So let us turn to Him at every point in our lives.
Remember that Allah’s promise is true, and we will all be rewarded for every single act, whether good or bad. Before deciding whether to do good or bad, let the beautiful promise of paradise guide our actions, direction, and focus.
My beloved, I want to share beautiful verses that uplift me whenever I feel down, hurt, pained, or stressed. Allah says in Al-Hijr 15:45-49;
إِنَّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّٰتࣲ وَعُيُونٍ. .ٱدۡخُلُوهَا بِسَلَٰمٍ ءَامِنِينَ. وَنَزَعۡنَا مَا فِي صُدُورِهِم مِّنۡ غِلٍّ إِخۡوَٰنًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرࣲ مُّتَقَٰبِلِينَ. لَا يَمَسُّهُمۡ فِيهَا نَصَبࣱ وَمَا هُم مِّنۡهَا بِمُخۡرَجِينَ. نَبِّئۡ عِبَادِيٓ أَنِّيٓ أَنَا ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
“Indeed, the righteous will be within gardens and springs, [Having been told], “Enter it in peace, safe [and secure].” And We will remove whatever is in their breasts of resentment,[1] [so they will be] brothers, on thrones facing each other. No fatigue will touch them therein, nor from it will they [ever] be removed. [O Muḥammad], inform My servants that it is I who am the Forgiving, the Merciful,”.
For Allah to have instructed the Prophet to declare that He is the Oft-Forgiving and the Most Merciful, as Muslimahs, we have nothing to worry about. Our priority every single day and night should be to seek His forgiveness and mercy. If we have these two, then, insha’Allah, we will succeed in this world and the next.
Do you want to be among those who dwell amidst gardens and springs? Then let us sit tight, study our examination papers well (the questions include: our existence in this life, the different tests Allah gives us, and the various difficulties we face, which may be easy or difficult), and answer them to the best of our abilities through patience, perseverance, and seeking Allah’s mercy and guidance at all times. Let us pray for the best results. May we all achieve distinctions in our exams. Aameen.
May Allah ease all our affairs and always be our guide, guard, and protector in this world and the next. We ask Allah to make us among the successful ones in this world and the hereafter.
Baarakallahu feena Jami’an, Wa taqabbala Allah. Aameen
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