Live an Extraordinary Life!

By Zabrina A. Bakar

I was talking to one of my parent’s long life friend. She has always amused me with her positive and never-say-die attitude in life – an amazing woman whom, I think, has a determination like a steel. She has gone through many ups and downs but, if you talk to her, you will not find any traces of sadness, depression, regret or anger in her. She is always ever so faithful, positive, confident, optimistic, cheerful and upbeat about life, Masha’Allaah.

From her life’s story, you would know that she once had it all. She was tested with wealth and now with hardship. From owning a few huge bungalows to living in a small rented apartment, from dining in seven star hotels to getting her food from the hawkers by the road side, from having an excellent health only to be diagnosed with cancer, from having a happy marriage to being a single woman, from driving a Mercedes Benz to using the public transportation, from having hundreds of friends to be left with only a few loyal ones. Subhanallaah. As I said before, she once had it all.

What is phenomenal about her is that her outlook in life remains the same despite all the adversities she went through Masha’Allaah. She is still the aunty whom I know – a practicing Muslimah, kind, charitable, generous, honest, happy, in high spirits and most importantly, a contented person.

She reminded me of Khalil Gibran words,

Much of your pain is self-chosen

He was right. She chose not to feel the pain; she chose not to be in pain. She chose a pain-free life.

When asked, she told me that this ayah is enough to allow her to go on with her life in enthusiasm.

It is Allah Who has made for you the earth as a resting place, and the sky as a canopy, and has given you shape- and made your shapes beautiful,- and has provided for you Sustenance, of things pure and good;- such is Allah your Lord. So Glory to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds! [ The Believer 40 : 64]

It is all in Allaah’s hand. And He provides sustenance for His slaves. It was so clear for her. Her conviction and faith in her Deen is so strong that she knows there is no reason for her to be depressed about her situation right now. None, what-so-ever.

In fact, she is still her entrepreneurial self. She picked up the pieces and proceeded with her life passionately. She learnt the needed life lessons and moved on.

Trust Allaah, my daughter. Trust Him, only ask from Him… she said. And be thankful to Him..

I reflected on His ayah which was sent down to us, as a soother to a distressed soul:

And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion. [al-Talaaq 65:3]

For all things, there is an appointed time. This ayah is so beautiful. It gives me such calmness knowing that whatever that I faced in this world, there is a time period to it.

For everything, there is a time to start and a time to end. My job is to patiently and faithfully ‘cruise’ through the ‘time-in-between’.

And if I just trust Allaah, follow His Book and His messenger, it will be sufficient for me as He shall give me a way out of all my problems. I am absolutely sure of that because He promised in His own words!

And you know what? I learnt too that I should not be worried about life’s trial.

If I am faced with some issues, rest assured that it is a sign of love from Allaah that He wanted to give me something good.

Prophet Muhammad (may Allaah’s peace and blessings be upon him) once said,

Whenever Allah wills good for a person, He subjects him to adversity (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

Ahh… this is so cool, don’t you think? It means that all these ‘bruises’, ‘bumps’ and ‘scratches’ I have in me are all signs of His Love!

My heart beams with happiness. Allaah loves me? Allaah loves me! Yes, He loves me. M-E- Me! Alhamdulillaah. What a wonderful feeling, you agree?

Let me share with you a poem I wrote sometime ago upon reflecting on the advice given by my mother entitled ‘That too, will be over’

Mother,

I missed you so much

I remembered you today

As I sat alone on your favourite chair

Thinking about my life

And where it has taken me

Your daughter has grown up

Your daughter has faced the world

You would cry if only you knew

The trials and challenges that passed her by

The turbulence and turmoil that has enveloped her

But she faced it all Alhamdulillaah

With the strength from Allaah

With the prayer you have made for her

Once upon a time, years ago, everyday

That is why now

Even after you have long gone

I could always feel your presence

Even in my darkest hour

I could always hear your whispers

Asking me to do the right thing

Even if that would be the most bitter of all

Even if I could not swallow it all

This one will be over, sweetheart

It is just a phase

It will leave in a swift

So stay tight and stay strong

Focus and hang on

But when it does disappear, do remember

There is the next one coming

But that too, will be over

That too, will be over.

Yes, my mother was right. Life is about facing our tests. She told me not to expect a life that is easy and simple. Once we passed one test, there would, must and should be another one coming.

This reality shown by my mother has allowed me to see life in different perspectives altogether. I no longer think that it’s a privilege to lead a life that is trouble free, easy, straightforward and undemanding. Nope.

In fact, if I suddenly realized that my life is so cushy and comfy, I asked myself – Has Allaah forgotten me? Has He forgotten me?

And that’s when I would beg Allaah to send the signs of His love to me. And the cycle would begin once more. And I would felt loved all over again.

That to me my friends, is living an Extraordinary Life, you agree?

Is your life extraordinary too?

Think about it…

Sis Zabrina also known as Zabrina A. Bakar, is a Life Storyteller, motivational writer and speaker; and author of Islamic motivational book Life is an Open Secret www.lifeopensecret.com. She maintains an active blog at www.wisdomthruwords.blogspot.com.