March 27, 2024

Sometimes when I reflect on du’as that Allah has answered for me, it is easy to fall into the habit of seeking what I consider “big duas.” But lately I’ve been making the effort to notice answered du’as for the “small” things in my life. SubhanAllah, this is the second Ramadan that I have experienced Allah through the rain. Last year, by Allah’s Mercy, He gifted me a moment to experience being in awe of Him ﷻ on a rainy day. Alhamdulillah. And from His Wisdom and Mercy, He has gifted me another moment with Him through the rain today.

Before leaving for work this morning, I checked the weather app and it showed that rain was forecasted possibly at around 10 pm. I thought to myself - great, I don’t need to carry an umbrella or a big jacket, then I set off for work. Unfortunately or maybe fortunately for me, it started raining in the middle of the day while I was at work but not for long because shortly after, the sun peaked happily from behind the clouds. I breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the sun.

When the work day came to an end, I rushed out to catch the shuttle because I didn’t drive to work today. The shuttle dropped me off at the BART (train) station. After waiting a few minutes, my train arrived and I boarded. Between getting off the shuttle and getting on the train, clouds had started to form in the sky again. By the time I got off the train, it had started raining.

When I got off the train, it was still raining. I was in distress thinking of having to walk through the rain to make it home without an umbrella or a jacket. Before going down the stairs to exit the train station, I started making du’a - Ya Allah, hold the rain until I get home. As soon as this du’a left my tongue, I suddenly thought about the hadith of the prophet ﷺ with regards to du’a being answered when it rains. I quickly whispered under my breath - Ya Allah I take it back, don’t stop the rain completely, let it drizzle and only pour down after I make it home.

As soon as I said that, I chuckled at what had just happened. Because in this moment I realized how faqir (desperately needy) I was in the sight of Allah. In that moment, I acknowledged that no one could help me except Allah. He indeed was the one who had the power to withhold the rain and prevent me from getting soaked SubhanAllah. Here I was worried about being soaked in the rain but also hoping that I could make du’a while it rained, that Allah will answer. And in both cases, I was in absolute need of Allah. He is Al-Adhim (The Almighty), Al-Mujib (The Responsive).

And so I made my way down the stairs to exit the station and subhanAllah as soon as I stepped out, the rain subsided. It was no longer pouring but instead it was a drizzle. I felt my heart jump in my chest, elated at how quickly Allah had answered my desperate, humble and needy du’a. I was also overjoyed by the fact that perhaps this was also a sign that Allah wanted to accept all of the du’a that I intended to make on my walk home while it rained. And so with joy in my heart and gratitude to my Lord, I walked cheerfully, calling onto Allah with every du’a I could think off. Alhamdulliah I made it home and as soon as I went inside, it started pouring, Allahu Akbar!

I whispered many Alhamdulillahs under my breath, thanking Allah for His Mercy, for His Favor, for His Kindness and For His Signs. Alhamdulillah. I pray may Allah always inspire me to be thankful to Him. Ya Allah allow me to always recognize my need for You, to be among those who are mindful of Your signs and among those who earn Your Mercy and Your Pleasure. Allahumma Amin.

With Love, Ibtisam