Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?

Tweet

Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?

The fact that this verse is repeated 31 times in Surah ar-Rahman [#55]... I don't think that is by accident. It's without a doubt, one of my favorites ayats [verses] from the Qu'ran.

The verse reminds us time and again for the many blessings we take for granted on a daily basis [and to be thankful for them]. Whether it be in terms of money, food, wealth, health... or anything and everything else: tangible and intangible.

If there's anything I've learned through life experiences over the past several years, it's let go and let god. Everything happens for a reason. You just don't know it [yet]. By that, does it mean that you live carelessly and expect greatness? Absolutely not, of course. It means: you live following the right path, and when unexpected hurdles fall your way- you keep faith that this too shall pass.

In the beginning, several times, the inevitable why is this happening to me popped up in my head... but now I am quick to brush that though away if it does occur. Why not me? What makes me better than the next person to make me immune? And there's always that belief that He, the all-knowing, doesn't throw more at you than you can handle.

But this isn't about the hurdles. It's about the blessings [in disguise].

Like I have talked about several times over the course of time, why do we so easily ask "why me?" in difficult times, but not in good times? How often do we truly stop to be thankful for everything we take for granted on a daily basis? Just look around your own circle of network because you won't have to look to far to find an example of someone that has it much worse than you, yet is [probably] handling their circumstance(s) a lot better.

If we truly took the time to count the blessings, we'd realize it's impossible because it would be endless. They are infinite. But we don't. This theme is repeated in various Surahs in the Qu'ran. Several examples:

1. From Surah Ibrahim: "And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if you should count the favor of Allah , you could not enumerate them. Indeed, mankind is [generally] most unjust and ungrateful." [14:34]
2. From Surah Nahl: "And if you should count the favors of Allah , you could not enumerate them. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." [16:18]

Just think of the basics that we consider necessities that not everyone has the luxury of: roof over our head, food on the table, clothes. I'll be the first to admit, that I, wait cross that...not just me, we are spoiled.

Even down to breathing, seeing, hearing walking, talking: most of us take it for granted because it's just a natural part of life to most. Those with issues pertaining to any of the above will tell you otherwise. It irks me to no end when in the public, you come across someone with a limb missing and people just stare. If anything, it should be yet another reminder for gratitude.

Note: I don't blog about religion very often, because I don't think I'm by any means qualified to do so, but this is a good place for me to express my thoughts- and thoughts alone... that's all they are. Other topics I've done in the past: Halal vs. Zabihah (Meat) and Organ Donation. Adoption is a topic that weighs heavily on my mind a lot, so perhaps I'll tackle my thoughts on that next.