Seeking Comfort Amidst Life's Uncertainties

Assalaamu'alaykum,

You might be struggling with a challenge at the moment, and it might feel relentless and overwhelming. When you look out at the horizon, all that meets your eyes is this test.

And it feels like there’s no end in sight.

It could be a work-related problem, a health test, a strained relationship or some other issue that seems to grow heavier with each passing day.

The Qu’ran, however, gives us many resting places to lighten the load. During challenging times in my life, I’ve found great comfort in the words of Allah ‘azza wa jal, particularly in ayahs (verses) such as the following:

“Surely in the alternation of the day and the night, and in all that Allah has created in the heavens and the earth, there are truly signs for those mindful ˹of Him˺.” (10:6)

Here, Allah SWT encourages us to look up at the sky above and contemplate the altering cycles of night and day. Within the changing of states, there is a deep lesson for us to draw from.

It reminds us that the rhythm of life also follows alternating cycles.

Each day, we witness the darkness of the night sky giving way to daylight, and in the daylight, we cannot escape the moments of darkness that will inevitably follow.

This concept of impermanence and alternation offers us great psychological relief, assuring us with yaqeen (certainty) that no situation, emotion or problem can or will last forever.

Just as you hold unwavering certainty each time you gaze up at the night sky, knowing without a shred of doubt that the darkness of the night will soon clear and the light of day will fill up the skies, approach your current difficulties with the same absolute certainty.

That there will be an alternation and the relief will come.

Last night, as I took a brisk walk, I looked up at the night sky and a profound reminder looked back at me.

Even within the night’s darkness, Allah SWT sends the brightness of the moon to illuminate my path and the twinkling of stars to break through the monotony of the dark.

For me, this was a powerful reminder that even within a test, even when the horizon appears like an expanse of endless darkness, there will always be moments of ease that shine through, to comfort and guide us.

And if we seek those moments with certainty, we will surely find them, with Allah’s Mercy.