A good outcome requires effort
In Surat Hud, Allah Almighty mentions different stories from different prophets and messengers, including Nuh, Hud, Salih and Ibrahim (peace be upon them). After the story of Nuh, Allah says to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
تِلۡكَ مِنۡ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلۡغَيۡبِ نُوحِيهَآ إِلَيۡكَۖ
مَا كُنتَ تَعۡلَمُهَآ أَنتَ وَلَا قَوۡمُكَ مِن
قَبۡلِ هَٰذَاۖ فَٱصۡبِرۡۖ إِنَّ ٱلۡعَٰقِبَةَ لِلۡمُتَّقِينَ
Such are some of the stories of the Unseen which We reveal unto you (O Muhammad), neither you nor your people knew them before this. So be patient. Surely, the (good) end is for the Muttaqun. (11:49)
In this ayah, Allah is telling the Prophet (peace be upon him) that the second father of humanity, Nuh (peace be upon him) was very patient, delivering the message for so many years and hardly anyone accepted it, and very few survived the flood, with Nuh (peace be upon him). The lesson from this story is to console Muhammad (peace be upon him) that he was not alone in facing rejection by his people. He should not let himself get disheartened that the people of Makkah did not believe – only 115 accepted Islam in Makkah after 13 years of tireless dawah, inviting them to Islam, even though he was supported by Allah and Jibril. Nuh’s patience was exemplary, even his own son refused to accept the truth, so he should not lose heart.
Amba al ghayb, stories of the Unseen, were not known to the Quraysh, though the People of the Book were familiar with it. However they did not have all the details of the story of Nuh (peace be upon him) that Allah has mentioned in the Quran. Those who knew the scripture, would not have known some of the details Allah has now revealed.
The central message: be patient—victory is coming
From Nuh onwards, with Hud, with Salih and with Ibrahim (peace be upon them all), we see that the truth will prevail. No matter how painful and costly, or how brutal the war machine against innocent people, the people of taqwa will be victorious. It requires sabr, hold fast to the rope of Allah and do your homework, and you will be successful.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) felt sad at the continual rejection, but Allah keeps telling him not to take it to heart if they did not believe.
It is hard for us to watch what is happening, but Allah is confirming with the word (inna) that the best outcome awaits the believers and Allah does not break His promise. He is saying ‘Trust me. The future is for the pious, but they have to be patient’. This is not passive patience, but involves doing whatever is required, while trusting Allah, knowing that it is just a matter of time until success will come.
Do the work. Trust the process.
Rabi’ah bin Ka’b al-Aslami (may Allah be pleased with him narrated:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said to me, “Ask.” I said, “I ask your company in Paradise.” He replied, “Or something else?” I said, “That is it (i.e. that is what I desire).” He said, “Then help me to achieve this for you by devoting yourself often to prostration.” (Muslim)
Hence, we see in the hadith, that a man once came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and asked to be his companion in Jannah. Instead of simply making dua there and then for the man, the Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasised the need to take action. The man should help achieve this outcome by making much sujud. In other words, it is necessary for us to do our bit and the Prophet (peace be upon him) did his. If the man did nothing and expected the Prophet (peace be upon him) to make dua it would not bring the desired result.
Therefore, we need to be pious and patient and do our homework and this will in turn lead to success inshallah.
Delivered by Shaykh Haytham Tamim on 26th Ramadan 2025.
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