Do not say, “Had I Known”, it could be a blessing in disguise (Muslim Perspective)

Written by: Abdul Lateef Adebayo. O

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The Muslims Perspective.

The recognition of Allah at all times and in every circumstance is essential in strengthening our faith. Just as it is necessary to profess such position verbally, there is also the need to emphasize it with appropriate deeds and actions. This is because our faith will be tested in the face of adversity, and as such, our responses; reactions and thought process go a long way in explaining our level of consciousness and submissiveness to the dictates of Allah.

From observation, many run the luxury of sanity and speech to their disadvantage. These people ignore many things just as long as their hope or expectation is dashed and the worse is that their total submission to Gods dictate is temporarily lost or jeopardized.

For some, they regain their sanity just after the thought process; while others make such thoughts heard through different pronouncements like ‘Had I known’ ‘if only’ and so on. The common thing is that they connote regret.

As believers, our heart must affirm the oneness of Allah and refute every thought of regret because all events are preceded by Allah’s will.

Allah says:

“No evil befalls on earth or in your own souls, but it is in a book before we bring it into existence, surely that is easy to Allah, so that you may not grieve for what has escaped you, nor be exultant at what he has given you; and Allah does not love any arrogant boaster” – Al – Hadeed: 22 – 23.

There are some other verses in the Quran similar to the one above which also identify some of the reasons behind our experiencing such events, part of which (but not limited to) are; expiation of one’s status (level of faith). All of these resorts combine in necessitating the seeking of Allah’s forgiveness and remaining patient in one’s situation.

The feeling of regret is from Shaytan (Satan). He tampers with a believers resolve to strive and obey Allah and if captured, the believer might bemoan his fate, regret and make derogatory remarks. The Prophet warned us about this in the hadith, which is clear.

It was narrated that Aboo Hurayrah said, the Messenger of Allah said; “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, although both are good. Strive to do that which will benefit you and seek the help of Allah, and do not feel helpless. If anything befalls you, do not say ‘if only I had done (such and such), the such and such would have happened. Rather say; ‘Allah has decreed and what He wills He does’, for ‘if only’ opens the door to the work of Shaytan” (Muslim).

That hadith provides lessons to be inculcated in our daily lives. Because Islam came to abolish actions that are contrary to the lofty principles taught and exhibited by the Prophet, we should be informed about the need to show the strength of faith through patience and calm acceptance in the face of calamity.

Some of the lessons and benefits derived from such understanding are:

1. Allah’s will is supreme.

2. Good and evil are from Allah’s preordainment.

3. Trials and tribulations when borne with patience and abstinence from impermissible acts, is a virtue.

4. It is forbidden to feel helpless, have anger, or express dissatisfaction over Allah’s decree and ordainment.

5. Statements such as ‘Had I known’, ‘if only…’ etc. is forbidden in the face of trial.

Indeed, there are ample lessons and benefits beyond what this piece can cover but the summarized message is that there is need to be upright at all times, even in the face of trials and to train ourselves in maintaining ourselves within the permissible limits when trials occur.

So the next time that a calamity befalls you or the one next/close to you, do not fail or allow Shaytan in by saying ‘if only…’ or ‘Had I known’ because such calamity for a Muslim, is indeed a blessing in disguise.

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