In a time of distress when death is more heard of than life; when there are panicked hearts, troubled minds, ruined routines, discontinued livelihoods; there is one reality that can serve to anchor our boat.
هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ يَعْلَمُ مَا يَلِجُ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَمَا يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا وَمَا يَنزِلُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ وَمَا يَعْرُجُ فِيهَا وَهُوَ مَعَكُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
"He it is who has created the heavens and the earth in six aeons, and is established on the throne of His almightiness. He knows all that enters the earth, and all that comes out of it, as well as all that descends from the skies, and all that ascends to them. And He is with you wherever you may be; and God sees all that you do." [57:4]
The reassurance we receive, but do not acknowledge. Perhaps, if we can manage to acknowledge the magnitude of it, if we can manage to focus at the implications of it, we won't find ourselves half as alone, as bereft, as we often do in the face of a calamity.
What ever is destined to come our way, will come our way. The test remains to be mindful of the promise, and do the needful WITHOUT losing sight of the Companionship.
وَهُوَ مَعَكُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْAnd He is with you wherever you may be;
This part of the ayah is one of my favorite bits from Quran, (so much so that even had it at my office work desk ... and yes I've always kept a sanitizer at my desk, even when it wasn't in vogue :))
The reason I find this to connect so strongly with me is that it responds to my fears.
When He is with you, nothing happens to you. But on the flip side, when He is with you, you have to ensure that you don't do anything unworthy of His companionship either. Do you see the magic here? You are neither a victim whatever be the situation, and neither do you contribute to making anyone else a victim, if you stay mindful of Who your Companion is.
So watch your step (#StayHome) and create, fix, or learn something while we still have time.
Photograph by António Passion, Portugal, 1950
