Trust in Allah. I came across this beautiful quote that reads, “To TRUST someone is the highest compliment you can demonstrate, more than just loving them.”
As a child growing up in Winnipeg, Canada, one of the most common types of birds I observed was the Robin. They were big with reddish-orange bellies. There were so many Robins, Robins everywhere. Who was feeding all of them?
Teacher, can we help feed the birds?
My primary school teachers told us NOT to feed the Robins. Subhan Allah! You know why we, as humans, should not feed the birds? You know why? Because as humans, we are IMPERFECT — and the birds NEED PERFECT sustenance. They cannot rely on us humans. If we were to feed them one day, two days, a month — the birds would get habituated to our feeding and place their trust in us. And that trust would be gravely misplaced.
Eventually, we would not be able to continue feeding them. Regardless, the Robins would still show up seeking food. The habituated birds would keep coming back, again and again, until they died.
Our primary school teachers taught us: leave the birds. Leave the Robins to the PERFECT sustenance of Allah.
Now, what if you thought of YOURSELF as a Robin?
Allah’s Messenger, Sal Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam, said, “If they would only put their trust in Allah as they should, He would provide for them as He provides for the birds: they fly out in the morning hungry and return fully satiated.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhī (2344) and Sunan Ibn Mājah (4164)]
The example of the bird going out in the morning shows us that one of the greatest expressions of faith and devotion is to take all practical steps to achieve our goals while at the same time placing our complete reliance upon Allah for the outcome (Al-Oadah, 2012).
If you haven’t reminded yourself of Allah’s marvels recently, perhaps you’ve forgotten… YOUR own creation is one.