We Must Take The First Step To Allah Ta’ala

Main Topic

The necessity of making personal effort (mujahadah and striving) towards Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala to receive His divine guidance, help (nusrah), and proximity.

Key Lessons

• Guidance and divine assistance require initial human effort; Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala tests our sincere intention and action before bestowing His help.
• Even if our efforts are weak, deficient, or small, we must still take action rather than falling into despair or passivity.
• Historical examples, such as the miracles during the Battle of Khandaq and Tabuk, show that human effort and obedience precede miraculous divine intervention.
• Overwhelming spiritual goals or upcoming challenges should be approached one day at a time to prevent Shaitan from inducing anxiety and fear.

Quranic/Hadith References

• Surah An-Ankabut (29:69): "Walladhina jahadu fina lanahdiyannahum subulana..." (As for those who strive in Our cause, We will surely guide them to Our paths).
• Hadith Qudsi: Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala states that whoever approaches Him by a hand-span, He approaches them by a cubit, and whoever comes to Him walking, He goes to them running.
• Battle of Khandaq Incident: Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam blessed the small portion of food prepared by Hz. Jabir Radiallahu anhu to feed the entire army.
• Battle of Tabuk Incident: Sahaba Radiallahu anhum showed self-restraint and obedience regarding the small stream before Rasulullah Sallallahu alayhi wasallam blessed the water.
• Story of Hz. Yusuf Alayhis Salam: Running to the locked doors out of reliance on Allah despite the physical impossibility of escape.

Practical Advice

• Start every morning with a humble supplication promising Allah not to commit sin, acknowledging personal weakness, and seeking His protection.
• Focus on spiritual progress on a daily basis instead of worrying about future long-term hurdles.
• Regularly recite the supplication: "Allahumma-j'al yawmana khayran min amsina, waj'al ghadana khayran min yawmina" (O Allah, make our today better than our yesterday, and make our tomorrow better than our today).