Poetry & Fiction

Live an Extraordinary Life!

By Zabrina A. Bakar

I was talking to one of my parent’s long life friend. She has always amused me with her positive and never-say-die attitude in life – an amazing woman whom, I think, has a determination like a steel. She has gone through many ups and downs but, if you talk to her, you will not find any traces of sadness, depression, regret or anger in her. She is always ever so faithful, positive, confident, optimistic, cheerful and upbeat about life, Masha’Allaah.

From her life’s story, you would know that she once had it all. She was tested with wealth and now with hardship. From owning a few huge bungalows to living in a small rented apartment, from dining in seven star hotels to getting her food from the hawkers by the road side, from having an excellent health only to be diagnosed with cancer, from having a happy marriage to being a single woman, from driving a Mercedes Benz to using the public transportation, from having hundreds of friends to be left with only a few loyal ones. Subhanallaah. As I said before, she once had it all.

What is phenomenal about her is that her outlook in life remains the same despite all the adversities she went through Masha’Allaah. She is still the aunty whom I know – a practicing Muslimah, kind, charitable, generous, honest, happy, in high spirits and most importantly, a contented person.

She reminded me of Khalil Gibran words,

Much of your pain is self-chosen

He was right. She chose not to feel the pain; she chose not to be in pain. She chose a pain-free life.

When asked, she told me that this ayah is enough to allow her to go on with her life in enthusiasm.

It is Allah Who has made for you the earth as a resting place, and the sky as a canopy, and has given you shape- and made your shapes beautiful,- and has provided for you Sustenance, of things pure and good;- such is Allah your Lord. So Glory to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds! [ The Believer 40 : 64]

It is all in Allaah’s hand. And He provides sustenance for His slaves. It was so clear for her. Her conviction and faith in her Deen is so strong that she knows there is no reason for her to be depressed about her situation right now. None, what-so-ever.

In fact, she is still her entrepreneurial self. She picked up the pieces and proceeded with her life passionately. She learnt the needed life lessons and moved on.

Trust Allaah, my daughter. Trust Him, only ask from Him… she said. And be thankful to Him..

I reflected on His ayah which was sent down to us, as a soother to a distressed soul:

And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion. [al-Talaaq 65:3]

For all things, there is an appointed time. This ayah is so beautiful. It gives me such calmness knowing that whatever that I faced in this world, there is a time period to it.

For everything, there is a time to start and a time to end. My job is to patiently and faithfully ‘cruise’ through the ‘time-in-between’.

And if I just trust Allaah, follow His Book and His messenger, it will be sufficient for me as He shall give me a way out of all my problems. I am absolutely sure of that because He promised in His own words!

And you know what? I learnt too that I should not be worried about life’s trial.

If I am faced with some issues, rest assured that it is a sign of love from Allaah that He wanted to give me something good.

Prophet Muhammad (may Allaah’s peace and blessings be upon him) once said,

Whenever Allah wills good for a person, He subjects him to adversity (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

Ahh… this is so cool, don’t you think? It means that all these ‘bruises’, ‘bumps’ and ‘scratches’ I have in me are all signs of His Love!

My heart beams with happiness. Allaah loves me? Allaah loves me! Yes, He loves me. M-E- Me! Alhamdulillaah. What a wonderful feeling, you agree?

Let me share with you a poem I wrote sometime ago upon reflecting on the advice given by my mother entitled ‘That too, will be over’

Mother,

I missed you so much

I remembered you today

As I sat alone on your favourite chair

Thinking about my life

And where it has taken me

Your daughter has grown up

Your daughter has faced the world

You would cry if only you knew

The trials and challenges that passed her by

The turbulence and turmoil that has enveloped her

But she faced it all Alhamdulillaah

With the strength from Allaah

With the prayer you have made for her

Once upon a time, years ago, everyday

That is why now

Even after you have long gone

I could always feel your presence

Even in my darkest hour

I could always hear your whispers

Asking me to do the right thing

Even if that would be the most bitter of all

Even if I could not swallow it all

This one will be over, sweetheart

It is just a phase

It will leave in a swift

So stay tight and stay strong

Focus and hang on

But when it does disappear, do remember

There is the next one coming

But that too, will be over

That too, will be over.

Yes, my mother was right. Life is about facing our tests. She told me not to expect a life that is easy and simple. Once we passed one test, there would, must and should be another one coming.

This reality shown by my mother has allowed me to see life in different perspectives altogether. I no longer think that it’s a privilege to lead a life that is trouble free, easy, straightforward and undemanding. Nope.

In fact, if I suddenly realized that my life is so cushy and comfy, I asked myself – Has Allaah forgotten me? Has He forgotten me?

And that’s when I would beg Allaah to send the signs of His love to me. And the cycle would begin once more. And I would felt loved all over again.

That to me my friends, is living an Extraordinary Life, you agree?

Is your life extraordinary too?

Think about it…

Copyright © Sis Zabrina 2008

Sis Zabrina also known as Zabrina A. Bakar, is a Life Storyteller, motivational writer and speaker; and author of Islamic motivational book Life is an Open Secret www.lifeopensecret.com. She maintains an active blog at www.wisdomthruwords.blogspot.com.

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  • A very wonderful article and poem. it is difficult for me to read English but I have not regret reading it.

    May Allah bless you.

  • Bismillaah

    As Salaamu ‘alaykum and peace to all,

    Brother Abu Malik, Ameen to your prayers. JazakAllaah khayran for making the effort to read the story. InshaAllaah, He will reward you for every bit of your effort. Please do visit us again, inshaAllaah.

    Salaams
    Sis Zabrina
    ~ Life Storyteller ~

  • Bismillaah

    As Salaamu ‘alaykum and peace to all,

    JazakAllaah khayran Imam. She is really an inspiring woman. It is from people like her, we truly learn the beauty of Islam. InshaAllaah, there will be more coming in the near future.

    Salaams
    Sis Zabrina
    ~ Life Storyteller ~

  • Bismillaah

    As Salaamu ‘alaykum and peace to all,

    Wa eyyakum, inshaAllaah, ya ukhti… Alhamdulillaah, indeed, Allaah knows what we need and if we call for Him, He shall answer us, inshaAllaah. Allaah works in mysterious ways and He provides for us from sources we never could imagine.

    Salaams
    Sis Zabrina
    ~ Life Storyteller ~

  • As Salaamu ‘alaykum to all,

    JazakiAllah kharin Sis Zabrina, for writing this wonderful and inspiring article but I don’t agree with you when said ” In fact, if I suddenly realized that my life is so cushy and comfy, I asked myself – Has Allaah forgotten me? Has He forgotten me? ” because there is no way of knowing that when you are in hardships weather Allah is testing you because he likes you or punishing you because of your sin. My point is having comfy life is not bad thing as long as you obey Allah (S.W) There were companions of the messenger of Allah (S.A.W) who had it All and were devout Muslims.So weather we are in comfy life or not as long as we obey Allah (S.W) Insha-Allah we will be among the salihun .
    Allah knows best
    brother asad

  • Bismillaah

    As Salaamu ‘alaykum and peace to all,

    Salaam Brother Asad,

    JazakAllaah khayran for your feedback. You have a valid point there. I agree with you. Of course, when i say comfy and cushy, it only meant on a general and on the surface basis. I dont think any of us would have a 100% comfortable life, without any tests. Allaah test us with both wealth and hardship. Even when we are wealthy and feel that we have it all, that is also a test. The focus of this story is to set our mindset not to feel so depressed, anxious and sad when facing hardship in our lives, as it is a sign of Allaah’s love-if we become closer to Him when facing hardship and not rebel against Him. And inshaAllaah, Ameen to your prayers. May all of us be among the salihun. JazakAllaah again, i look forward to your opinion and feedback in the future.

    Salaams
    Sis Zabrina
    ~ Life Storyteller ~

  • Wa aleiki Salaam Sis Zabrina,

    May Allah reward you for your good intention and efforts. I am very happy to know that we have an active and intelligent sister who tries to support Islam by reminding her brothers and sisters in Islam.

    brother asad

  • Bismillaah

    As Salaamu ‘alaykum and peace to all,

    Moneyworthless, glad the story appeals to you. Alhamdulillaah.

    Do visit us again in the near future for more stories!

    Salaams
    Sis Zabrina
    ~ Life Storyteller ~

  • Bismillaah

    As Salaamu ‘alaykum and peace to all,

    JazakAllaah khayran brother Asad, Ameen to your prayers. I am merely doing my part using whatever skills and knowledge Allaah has given me, alhamdulillaah, just like what my brothers and sisters like you are doing for the Deen. Truly, more often than not, the reminders in my stories are more for me to improve myself, inshaAllaah.

    Salaams
    Sis Zabrina
    ~ Life Storyteller ~

  • As Salam O Alaikum Sister,

    I pray that you are well inshallah. It was a beautiful reminder and one to reflect upon and implement. It has certainly uplifted my spirit. May Allah reward you greatly for your time and effort. Ameen
    Remember your sister in your Duaa’s.

    Saima

  • Bismillaah

    As Salaamu ‘alaykum and peace to all,

    Salaams Sis Saima,

    Ameen to your prayers sis! And i pray the same for you too. Alhamdulillaah, i am glad that the story has benefited you, inshaAllaah!

    Salaams
    Sis Zabrina
    ~Life Storyteller~

  • […] `adilah just obligations, & sunnat al-qa'imah established traditions of the Prophet) …Live an Extraordinary Life! : Life Storyteller Suhaib Webb …As Salaamu alaykum to all, JazakiAllah kharin Sis Zabrina, for writing this wonderful and inspiring […]

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