And He will provide him from [sources]  He never could imagine

 

(And He will provide him from [sources] he never could imagine.)  

(Qur’an 65: 3)

 

At-Tanookhi related in Al-Faraju B’ada as-Shiddah a story of a man who fell into a state of dire poverty. All doors of ease were shut tight before him. On one particular day his situation became so frightful that he and his family had nothing whatsoever in the house to eat. He later said, "The first day, we went hungry. The second passed in a similar fashion, and when the sun was about to set, my wife said to me, `Go out, and find anything that you can for us to eat, for we are on the verge of dying} l remembered a female relative of mine and set out for her home. Upon meeting her, I informed her of our pathetic situation. She said that they had nothing in the house other that a rotten fish. I told her to give it to us nonetheless, since we were close to starving. I took it home with me, slit it open, and to my astonishment, I found a pearl lodged in its stomach. I sold it for thousands of dinars and then I informed my relative of what happened. She said that she would only take a share of the proceeds, and not everything. My situation improved greatly after that occurrence, and I furnished my house from my share of the profits. And I knew that it was the kindness of Allah, and nothing else."

 

(And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah.)  (Qur’an I6: 53)

 

([Remember] when you sought help of your Lord and he answered you.) (Qur’an 8: 9)

 

(And He it is who sends down the rain.)              (Qur’an 42: 28)

 

A virtuous worshipper recounted to me what happened to him when he was in the desert one day with his family. He said,

 

"We were in the middle of the desert when we ran out of water. I set out to search for water and I found that the small brook that was near us had gone dry. I continued to search for water in all directions, but was unable to find even a drop. Soon afterwards we were overcome by thirst. My children desperately needed to drink something. I remembered my Lord, Who answers the prayer of the one who is in distress. I stood, made the alternate ablution (Tayammum, which is performed when one cannot use water) with sand, faced the Ka’bah, and prayed two units of prayer. Then I raised my hands and cried. My tears flowed as I was ardently asking Allah for help. I remember now that the following verse repeatedly came before me in my mind:

 

(Is not He [better than our gods] who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him….)                                    (Qur’an 2 7: 62)

 

‘And, by Allah, immediately, as l stood from my place of prayer (and there had not been a cloud in the sky) a cloud approached our very spot in the desert. It stopped immediately above us, and it started to rain generously. The brooks around us became replenished. We drank, washed, and made ablution. Then, we praised and thanked Allah. Shortly afterwards, we traveled away from where it rained and I found that the surrounding area was dry and barren: it had only rained where we were. l realized that Allah brought for us the cloud in response to my prayer and I praised Him."’

 

(And He it is who sends down the rain after they have despaired, and spreads abroad His Mercy. And He is the Wali [Helper Supporter; Protector; etc.], Worthy of all Praise.)                    (Qur’an 42: 28)

 

We have to be assiduous in asking Allah, for only He can provide for, guide, and help His slaves. Allah mentioned one of His Messengers and said:

 

(And We cured his wake [to bear a child] for him. verily they used to hasten on to do good deeds, and they used to call on Us with hope and feat; and used to humble themselves before Us.)              (Qur’an 21: 90)