Today, after writing a bit of poetry about Iraq and Afghanistan wars, my sensitive heart wrenched and cried. I felt shocked and awed at the intense level of ignorance that was bred into the soldiers and their leaders. My thoughts almost suffocated me as I tried hard to block any mental pain. “What’s the way?” ” Why do people kill innocents?”, “What kind of people shed the blood of innocents for control and power?” My feeble mind raced and raced. I switched to a soothing song, no help. Screams still welled up inside. I switched to news. Nah! bad idea, news is always bad. “Pick up the Quran, silly, pick up the Quran”, a small yet strong voice inside me implored. So, I picked it up. “Think hard, choose the right page.”, another thought surfaced. So, I said aloud: “Allah will choose the right page for me”. And I opened the Quran. Chapter 15: Verse 21. popped up.
21-And there is not a thing but that with Us are its depositories, and We do not send it down except according to a known (i.e. specified) measure.
22-And We have sent the fertilizing winds and sent down water from the sky and gives you drink from it. And you are not its retainers.
23-And, indeed, it is We who give life and cause death, and We are the Inheritor. (Footnote says: “Inheritor” means Allah remains after all the creation has passed away)
24-And We have already known the preceding (generations) among you, and We have already known the later (ones to come)
25-And, indeed, your Lord will gather them; indeed, He is Wise and Knowing.
Verse 28-41, tell how Iblees (Satan) was asked to bow before the first of mankind, namely Adam. Iblees (Satan) refused to do so. Upon disobedience, God asks Satan to leave and in anger Satan vowed the following:
39-(Iblees) said, “My Lord, because You have put me in error, I will surely make (disobedience) attractive to them (i.e. mankind) on earth, and I will mislead them all.
So, there is my answer. What is meant to be will happen: Wars, poverty, global warming, etc. We should strive to do the right thing but “what is meant to happen will happen”. Why do bad things happen? Because people listen to the devil’s whispers. That’s why people kill, murder, loot, rape, steal etc.
I also remembered reading once that God does not burden any soul with more than it can bear.
Chapter 2, Quran. Verse 286:
Allah does not charge a soul except (with that within) its capacity….
After reading and understanding a thought raced through my head. I am not that of a good person to be informed so much in just a couple of minutes. So, I continued reading verse 286 of Chapter 2. The entire verse goes as such:
Allah does not charge a soul except (with that within) its capacity. It will have (the consequence of) what (good) it has gained, and it will bear (the consequence of) what (evil) it has earned. “Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have not ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.
I think I found my answers. Did you find yours? Pick up the Quran today and read.
May God forgive me and may He forgive others. Amin. Verily, Allah is most merciful, most loving and most forgiving.
