05/16/2019
Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an: “Allah is the One who makes the night merge into the day, and the day into the night; He has subjected the sun and the moon - each runs for an appointed term. Such is Allah - your Lord. All control belongs to Him. Those whom you call on other than Him do not even control the skin on a date stone.” (35:13) SubhanAllah, Allah (SWT) reminds those who think they own or control something in this life, that they don’t even own or control the little, insignificant speck on a date seed.
The Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) also taught a very important lesson to Abdullah b Abbas (R) - and to all of us when he said: “If all of humanity gathered together and tried to bring benefit to you, they could not bring benefit to you except if Allah decreed. If all of humanity gathered together and tried to harm you, they could not harm you except if Allah decreed.” Ultimately, Allah (SWT) is the One in control - المَلِك and مالِكُ المُلْكِ.
One reflection about these Names of Allah (SWT) that’s mentioned: when we know of someone who has serious authority or connections, we strive to move closer to that person - maybe we want similar authority, maybe we want to glean some from that person.
What about when it comes to our relationship with Allah (SWT)? Of course we can’t glean any power from Him, nor can we ever have similar authority, but we can strive to move closer to Him to be in His good favor, to be under His protection, and to be loved by Him - that is the ultimate goal and objective.
InshaAllah, let’s try to remember that, and live our lives in a way that brings us closer to Al Malik and Maalikul Mulk - Allah (SWT).