Allah most High says in a Hadith Qudsi,

“when My servant takes one step towards Me, I take 10 steps towards him. When My servant comes to Me walking, I come running towards him.”

As I reflected on this Hadith, I asked my self - what does my path to Allah look like? And at what pace are my steps on this path to Him? Allah who doesn’t need me is saying He’ll come running towards me when I walk towards Him. Shouldn’t I who needs Allah hasten my steps?

One of my teachers auntie Angelica Lindsey-Ali, may Allah preserve her said in class today:

“We move. Allah doesn’t move. We are the ones who either move away from Allah or towards Him in our relationship with Allah.”

And the truth of this really hit me. Truly Allah is & will always be the constant but I continue to be the variable in this equation - I’m not consistent & I am always liable to change. Again & again Allah reminds me of how close He is.

“Indeed, ˹it is˺ We ˹Who˺ created humankind and ˹fully˺ know what their souls whisper to them, and We are closer to them than ˹their˺ jugular vein.” [50:16].

He ﷻ says that He’s closer to me than my jugular vein. So what then is my excuse for not hastening to Him on this path? Allah said to Rasul ﷺ

“When My servants ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond ˹with obedience˺ to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided ˹to the Right Way˺.” [2:186].

The scholars say here Allah didn’t say to the prophet tell them I’m near but He ﷻ answers right away, “when My servants ask about Me, I am truly near…” Allah has given me the formula & has made access to Him so easy but I make my way to Him with lagging steps. May Allah increase me in guidance, Amin.

I pray may Allah grant me guidance. Oh Allah increase me in my faith, my certainty & my understanding. O turner of hearts, make my heart firm on your path. Oh director of hearts, direct my heart to your good deeds. Ya Rabb, I ask You for everlasting faith, true certainty & beneficial knowledge. O Guardian of Islam & its people, allow me to be bound to Islam until I meet You. Allahumma Amin ya Rabb.

With love, Ibtisam