It is simply an endeavor to bring to light that gem residing on the left side of the human heart—placing humanity at the center, far removed from politics, prejudices, and identities.
Do not fear the coming days and the things that will happen. Everything willsurely come and find its place. What is to happen will happen, and after awhile, all of it will be a sweet or bitter memory for you. As long as you live,your food, your clothing, your pen while writing, your shoes while walking, ahouse to enter, a pillow while sleeping… Everything you need will come when itsturn arrives. As long as you need it. Thinking about these is His job, notyours. Strive hard and try to do the best of what you are doing, whatever it isyou do. And finally, fear the puppets no more, fear the puppeteer!
If it is a human pointing the gun, it is God who pulls the trigger. It is He who gives human the power to pull the trigger, and it is He who writes fate. It is He who creates the killer, and the gun as well.
The number of things to fear in human life is as many as the things that can happen to one’s head. All unwanted possibilities are a thing to be feared for a human being. Fear is something understandable. While there is good, who would want bad? Our fears begin when we are still very small, and they never end until the very last breath. Actually, fear is good. Fearing the right thing in the right place keeps a person and those around them safe. I do not mean to say “cowardice” is good; it is good to fear things that will get you into trouble for the sake of keeping your life safe, for your own good and that of those around you. In fact, carrying the fear of the hereafter, if you believe, fearing God is even better.
I am talking about those worldly fears of yours that wrap around your heart as soon as you get out of bed in the morning. Now, I cannot say those are good. If these fears of yours are related to the world, I will say they are bad for all of them. From your manager at work, your boss, your business going bad, poverty, paying the rent, your bills… Like I said, there are as many possibilities as the number of things that can happen to your head. Actually, the question is this; not what, but whom are you afraid of?
Jesus says that one should fear not the worldly powers that can destroy the bodily existence, but only God, who rules over the soul.And he says: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)
He means to say that even if it is a human pointing the gun, it is God who pulls the trigger. It is He who gives human the power to pull the trigger, and it is He who writes fate. It is He who creates the killer, and the gun as well. Why are you afraid of the created? Your killer is He; the human pointing the gun is judged merely by their intention. I do not imply that the trigger-puller is blameless; indeed, he was warned repeatedly. Yet, in withholding intervention despite having full power over the outcome, God becomes the true actor here. In other words, He is the ultimate cause behind the act. For the outcome itself reveals the true purpose—whereas human intention remains something else entirely…
Have you noticed? Whomever you revered and tiptoed around, fearful things have always come to you from them. Your boss, your manager, your customers, your spouse, your child, your neighbor… Everyone and everything whose power and wealth you feared, or even valued. Nothing happens to the one who fears the sole owner of power and might. Try and see. Tomorrow morning on your way to work, go knowing that your boss, your manager is Him. Wait for your customers, for whom you keep looking around for them to come through the door, knowing that they will only come if the shepherd drives them to you. In fact, do not wait, leave it to Him. Stop trusting that friend you relied on for an expectation to come true. It will be as God wills. No one can bring you what He has not given you. And no one can prevent what He has given.
“We must obey God rather than human beings.” (Acts 5:29) Apostle Peter.
This is how a human makes their own life difficult. God wants to be trusted. And He deserves it too. As for the one who leaves Him and trusts His creations, He leaves them alone with those they trusted. And the one left alone with them sees nothing but oppression and injustice. The only way to be safe from humans and all other created beings is to do or not do something not out of fear of humans, but out of fear of the Creator, knowing that power and might belong only to the Creator, and with the awareness that a created thing can harm only if He wills and as much as He wills.
If you fear God, everything fears you. If you do not fear God, you fear everything. It is that simple.
“Whoever fears Allah, Allah makes everything fear him (everything looks at him with awe). And whoever does not fear Allah, Allah makes him fear everything.” Sufi Hasan al-Basri.
That is to say, the fear of the one who does not stand in awe of Him will be great. Now we understand that if fear is felt for the servant, it leads to disaster; if it is for God, it leads to salvation. How could it not be so? While there is God, whose power and might encompass every atom, it is a completely natural thing for someone who fears a created being that has an appointed time of death, frailties, and tons of fears to be left alone with their fears. In the sight of God, a human who fears His servant rather than God is seen not as someone fearing the One truly worthy of fear, but as an idolater fearing their idols. That is why His response is severe.
“Allah makes the one who fears Allah safe from everything. As for the one who does not fear Allah, Allah makes him fear everything.” Hz. Ali
From aging, becoming ugly, losing, failing, and whatever else fears you, fear no more. Let happen whatever will happen. Even if you do not let go, what is to happen will happen anyway. Even on your worst days, did not your food and clothing always come? How did you and your loved ones come to this day; did you feed and satisfy them, or did God? Has not what was necessary for you, whether little or much, always come? You have always worn out yourself and those around you with your anxieties. Work hard and do well whatever you are doing. Leave the rest to Him. Fear no one, expect appreciation from no one. Fear only Him, and do or do not do what you do for Him. This understanding and deed of yours will not escape His sight, and He will immediately take over your affairs. And if He takes over your affairs, everything will (hopefully) beautify very quickly. He does not break His promise.
“When you have made a decision, put your trust in Allah (rely upon Him). Indeed, Allah loves those who rely upon Him.” (The Quran) Âl-i ‘Imran.
Stop trying to curry favor with His servants. Whatever you do, do it for Him. No matter who laughs at you, who opposes you, whatever they say. You take care of yourself, your family, and, if any, your employees. Look after them and try to make them pleased. Do not hesitate or fear anyone; just be upright. Try to gain the pleasure of the Creator, not of people. You will see, your state of mind and health will improve immediately, and when you look in the mirror, you will notice that you are no longer as worn out as before.
“If God is with us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) Apostle Pavlus
Fear the puppets no more, fear the puppeteer!
Do not fear the coming days and the things that will happen. Everything will surely come and find its place. What is to happen will happen, and after a while, all of it will be a sweet or bitter memory for you. As long as you live, your food, your clothing, your pen while writing, your shoes while walking, a house to enter, a pillow while sleeping… Everything you need will come when its turn arrives. As long as you need it. Thinking about these is His job, not yours. Strive hard and try to do the best of what you are doing, whatever it is you do. And finally, fear the puppets no more, fear the puppeteer!
