Slow Down

As-salam alaikum my beautiful sis!

I hope this meets you in the best of iman and health in sha Allah.

Have you ever considered the hikmah (wisdom) Allah presents to us in nature? There are many signs and lessons Allah has intricately placed in it so that we may ponder and reason. Allah gives us an example in nature - many beautiful and profound examples.

The huge trees that we see around us take years to grow. Allah shows us that the best trees take time to yield fruit. They take time to grow, surrendering completely to the will of Allah. The process isn’t rushed, and just like nature, we shouldn’t rush the process of our growth either. But, does the process of growth start with the fruits growing before the trees’ roots are formed? Do we see the leaves sprout before the trees’ roots even have a chance of being ingrained in the soil? What do I mean? I mean that the growth of a tree occurs in stages. The process isn’t rushed, neither is any stage skipped or put before the other. A tree can’t bear fruits if it does not start with the roots growing first. Life occurs in stages, and you cannot skip to the next stage if you do not allow yourself to experience the necessary “roots” needed for your fruits to blossom. You cannot hasten life, and when you do try to do that, you’re only creating a chaotic environment for yourself. You’re trying to change the flawless process and formula that Allah has ordained for things to go through.

Just like we don’t see the roots that anchor the trees firmly in the soil, no one needs to see the process of your “roots” growing. A person with strong roots, who allowed the process of growth to take as long as Allah wants it to, is known by their fruits, not by their stages of development. People do not need to see your growth process; they may see it, but they do not need to see it. Focusing on others seeing us the way we want them to see us, i.e. the output of our years of growth, may put us in a state of haste, where we’re eager to hasten the process just so others can praise us. Your “behind the scenes” work is what determines your output. How you nourish and water that determines how strong your roots are. Do you give it time to grow and become stronger? Or do you uproot them out of haste of blooming, without actually planting, watering, and just leaving it to be?

The essential system of a person living in her purpose is unseen. What we see are the fruits of a root system that is anchored in Allah. We see results and not the process. The final product, but not the ingredients that go into it. But sis, if you focus on just getting results, you’re going to miss out (by a lot) on the best part of your journey - the “rooting” process. So, don’t focus on being seen as who Allah wants you to be, focus on actually being who Allah wants you to be. Focus on flowing, on being, on allowing life to take its course. Be present in every moment, and experience it fully.

To flourish, a tree needs some essential things - sunlight, water, soil, and nutrients, to name a few; these are known as ideal conditions. Likewise, for us to flourish, we need the right conditions, the ideal one. What do we need? We need a relationship with Allah. We need Allah to grow and thrive. We need to be in conversation with Him, to live for Him, to be present with Him, to do everything for Him and with Him in mind. Any other thing will result in failure. Planting our roots in dunya, in people, or moments, would bear fruits that rot and lead us away from purposeful living.

I want you to realise that just like the best trees in nature, becoming who Allah wants you to be is a process that will take as long as Allah wants it to be. Allah can will for a tree to develop fully in the blink of an eye. He can also will for a foetus to develop fully in a matter of seconds. But, it doesn't. Allah presents to us these things in a specified manner and timeframe. Perhaps, it’s a sign, a lesson, a wisdom from Allah, that good things take time. Allah knows best. Slow down, and allow yourself to be anchored firmly by Allah. To be guided by Him, to live by His plan and will, and to surrender completely, just like His beautiful trees do.

With love,

Latifah.

Founder, Tifah & Co.