Acceptance of God's will

Of all messengers, the most important figure in the Last Prophet's lineage is undoubtedly Abraham a.s. There are many reasons for this, but from the outset, the Quran points to this particular link with Abraham a.s through the insistent and continuous expression of pure monotheism, of human consciousness's adherence to the divine project, of the heart's access to His recognition and to His peace through self-giving. This is the meaning of the word Islam, which is too often translated quickly by the mere idea of submission but which also contains the twofold meaning of 'peace' and 'wholehearted self-giving'. Thus a Muslim is a human being who, throughout history - and even before the last Revelation - has wished to attain God's peace through the wholehearted gift of him or herself to the Being. In this sense, Abraham a.s was the deep and exemplary expression of the Muslim:

'He (God) has chosen you, and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion. It is the religion of your father Abraham. He has named you Muslims, both before and in this (revelation); so that the Messenger may be a witness for you(the new Muslim community), and you may be witnesses for humankind.' (Quran 18:110)

And as we all know Ishmael was given birth by Abraham's servant Hagar, and Isaac was given birth by Sarah, Abraham's first wife; and she told Abraham to send Hagar and the child away to a valley in the Arabian Peninsula called Bacca. Abraham a.s had to undergo another terrible trial of his son's sacrifice.

I would like to extract this part 'The Trial of Faith: Doubt and Trust' from the book by Tariq Ramadan on 'The Messenger':
'The whole Abrahamic experience unveils the essential dimension of faith in the One. Abraham, who is already very old and has only been blessed with a child, must undergo the trial of separation and abandonment, which will take Hagar and their child, Ishmael, very close to death. His faith is trust in God: he hears God's command - as does Hagar - and he answers it despite his suffering, never ceasing to invoke God and rely on Him. Hagar questioned Abraham about the reasons for such behaviour; finding it was God's command, she willingly submitted to it. She asked, then trusted, then accepted, and by doing so she traced the stepes of the profound 'active acceptance' of God's will: to question with one's mind, to understand with one's intelligence, and to submit with one's heart. In the course of those trials, beyond his human grief and infact through the very nature of that grief, Abraham develops a relationship with God based on faithfulness, reconciliation, peace and trust. God tries him but is always speaking to him, inspiring him and strewing his path with signs that calm and reassure him.

Masya allah! Truly, these are the people who have executed 'takwakkal and taqwa' in its truest and purest form.

It is so important for us to perform this act of 'active acceptance' of God's will wholeheartedly. This story inspired me and i hope it will do the same to you.

May Allah swt give us the strength and capability to perform this with ease and iman. ameen ameen.