The past two weeks have been intense. Hurricane Harvey did unimaginable damage to the Houston area and we’ve only started seeing the dire and long term ramifications.
Also unimaginable are the Hurricanes Irma and Jose that are wrecking havoc and causing anxiety across the Caribbean Islands and Florida.
Sitting on the other side so recently after our own preparation to face a natural disaster is unnerving. Watching news reports, studying whether maps, and calling relatives who are being urged to evacuate but getting stuck in congested, frantic traffic has overwhelmed our sense of peace.
hasbi allahu wa ni’mal wakeel.
God is enough for me and He is the best disposer of my affairs.
The first and second Ribaat Retreats held sessions studying the names of God. While we focused more on the collective 99 names in the most recent program, the first retreat captured my attention in my own relationship with each different name.
Allah has designated 99 names for Himself – and each one is such a manifestation of His glory and encompassing divinity that even a semester length long course didn’t seem enough to fully embrace their meanings.
Wakeel. The compilation of Imam Bukhari’s collection of Prophetic narrations quotes this name in a prayer invoked by Prophet Abraham (a) as he was thrown into a fire.
hasbi allahu wa ni’mal wakeel.
God is enough for me and He is the best disposer of my affairs.
Wakeel. Popularly translated as representative, agent, and authority. An entity that is entrusted in taking care of you. This is what we have to hold on to during trials.
Faith.
hasbi allahu wa ni’mal wakeel.
God is enough for me and He is the best disposer of my affairs.
Afshan Malik 