Before you indulge in your thoughts and great objectives give yourself some time to consider what those goals are aiming for and whether they befit your role in life or not. Some will now interrupt with early judgment to my theory, arguing that the sky is the limit for people’s hopes and dreams, and if people are restricted to think only of “realistic” dreams this would actually render them dead beings. True.. But that’s not what I’m here to say. When people build up hopes, some of them employ every bit of talent and thought at their disposition to serve and attain such hopes. Some may even set to freeze their other plans and ambitions to reach the optimum of their hopes. Then I guess common sense dictates that before you gather all that’s in your capacity to serve some purpose you’ve got to pay some attention to what you’re saving your life for, lest you waste it and wake up only when it’s too late to avert the consequences. So I say set your hopes up high and live up to them. Expand them and enlarge your dreams, but look into the purpose of your ambitions and how far are they befitting your talent that Allah has imbibed in you, and I’m not talking about easy achievement, but I’m warning against inevitable failures had you set off chasing after some lofty hopes that are not the least befitting your qualities, and by extension your role in life that God has ordained for you. Ask Allah for all that you’re wishing for, He is All-Powerful, All-Capable, and actually you are rewarded for having as much trust in Allah’s power and support. But wait a minute- If your hopes are aimed or seek to be detrimental to the natural order of humanity and life on earth, then know that you’re heading for the wrong direction, and that your effort is fruitless. And if otherwise, then know that Allah will bless each and every step of your struggle. As you build your hopes, build along and nurture the belief that Allah is by your side, to support you and beckon your steps, provided that they seek what’s best for humanity and not the opposite. You’ve got to know and be certain, not just assume that. Once you’ve embarked on your journey of fulfilling your hopes set all doubts aside, and just be sure of Allah’s aid and full support, having doubts may itself hamper your pursuit and block Allah’s support. I recall this very famous Hadith Qudusi, that is a sacred Hadith, or a divine report from Allah, where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reported: “Allah the Most High said, ‘I am as My servant thinks (expects) I am. I am with him when he mentions Me. If he mentions Me to himself, I mention him to Myself; and if he mentions Me in an assembly, I mention him in an assembly greater than it. If he draws near to Me a hand’s length, I draw near to him an arm’s length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.’”- [Sahih Al-Bukhari]. So this should encourage you to build up strong and sincere faith in Allah and put your trust in Him and know He shall never fail you nor waste your efforts, you shall be rewarded when the reward is due and when His Divine Wisdom perpetuates. Developing this level of faith, along with Dua and hard work is what will bring you to your intended destination and help you reap the results of your hopes and pursuit. Rest assured that this universe is ran by a Just Ruler who forbids injustice even for His Own Self, a Merciful God whose law has been ordained to safeguard the wellbeing of His Creation, and for mankind, to preserve the dignified stature He Almighty has granted them, and whoever mess with their welfare shall earn God’s wrath and punishment, whether in this worldly life or the hereafter. “He arranges [each] matter from the heaven to the earth…”—Quran (32:5) Some may relate to the so-called Law of Attraction, but I assure you it’s the law of God, ordained clear for humans to heed and encouraging them to live their life to the fullest, yet utilize it for the service of their uppermost purpose in life, worshipping Allah and developing life on earth for humankind to live and prosper, love and worship, explore and reach out to God. Always remember you are your pursuit, and as you hope you shall live, with varying levels of attainment, if your hope is good, it shall bring you good in this life and the hereafter. And if your pursuit is evil it shall waste your life in this world, to regrettably be punished in the hereafter. So pay strict attention to your hopes as much as you do with your deeds, for hopes are the seed you plant and reap its fruits either during the course of your life or in the hereafter. May Allah guide us to the straight path and beckon our pursuit with His Light and Supreme wisdom to live happily and resurrect to a better rewarding life. Amen. Wassalaam, Maha Youssuf maha@muslimtribune.org Posted on: July 24, 2011