DR. KIRMANI’S CORNER
This section is developed through the weekly reflections of Dr. Sayed Shabbir Kirmani, our respected resident scholar. Each week, Dr. Kirmani will share his thoughts on faith, current affairs, and community matters, offering valuable insights on how Islamic teachings relate to both global and local events.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
Trusting the Hidden Wisdom: When Life Doesn’t Go Our Way
Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “And it may happen that you do not like a thing that is good for you and that you like a thing that is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not.” (Surah al-Baqarah 2:216)
This verse invites us into the heart of faith: trusting Allah’s wisdom beyond our limited sight. In Tafsir al-Mizan, Allamah Tabatabai explains that human judgment is often shaped by immediate perception—pleasure and pain, gain and loss—whereas divine wisdom encompasses the full arc of existence. What seems bitter today may be the seed of our greatest growth tomorrow. The believer, therefore, learns to see with the heart, not just the eyes.
Allamah Tabatabai explains that the moral purpose of trials is to develop the soul and test believers, distinguishing genuine faith from superficial belief. In Tafsir Al-Mizan, he teaches that hardship and adversity are not meant to diminish a person, but to present opportunities for purification, self-discovery, and the refinement of moral character. According to Tabatabai, worldly suffering should not be viewed merely as punishment or loss, but as a method by which Allah educates his servants, exposing latent strengths and shortcomings in their character.
Ultimately, Tabatabai concludes that trials are integral to the fulfillment of human potential and the formation of a virtuous, God-conscious life. While people often misunderstand trials as negative, the Quranic perspective, as unfolded by Tabatabai, reveals them as tools divinely designed to shape destinies, guide souls, and raise individuals to higher levels of moral and spiritual excellence.
Imam Ali (as) in Nahjul Balagha echoes this principle, reminding that a wise person looks beyond the outward appearance of events and values “the inner side of things”. Contentment, forbearance, and reliance upon Allah transform hardships into opportunities for inner refinement. He famously said, “He who relies upon God, hardships become easy for him,” turning every challenge into a path toward resilience and deeper faith. The trials that press us are not punishments—they are awakenings. They draw out hidden capacities, polish our souls, and teach us patience (sabr), which the Qur’an calls the mark of the truly steadfast.
Consider the story of Prophet Yusuf (ع): sold into slavery, imprisoned unjustly, yet each apparent setback was a divine step toward his destiny as a ruler and reformer. Likewise, Lady Zaynab (ع), in the aftermath of Karbala, stood amidst ruin and declared, “I saw nothing but beauty.” Her insight pierces through pain to perceive God’s higher plan.
In daily life, this verse teaches emotional maturity and spiritual resilience. When plans fail, relationships end, or doors close, faith whispers: perhaps this is mercy in disguise. Instead of despair, we respond with reflection and surrender—recognizing that every detour may lead to a more luminous destination.
Practically, apply this wisdom daily. When faced with disappointment—like a rejected college application—pause and reflect: Could this redirect you to a better path, perhaps a school fostering spiritual growth? Imam Sadiq (as) taught that patience in adversity is worship. Instead of resentment, pray, “Ya Allah, unveil the good You’ve ordained.” At work, if a project fails, seek lessons rather than despair; it might spark innovation.
True contentment arises not from controlling outcomes, but from trusting the One who does. For as the verse reminds us, “Allah knows, while you know not.” And in that trust lies peace—the kind that turns our sorrows into strength and our uncertainty into worship.
With Duas,
Dr. Kirmani