The way Allah cares for us and responds to us is truly something that we cannot fully comprehend let alone give thanks for. The way He guides our steps towards what we need is often mind-blowing, if only we paid heed.

Not to get too personal, but last week, I was feeling really down about something and even though I went about my day and carried on with my affairs, I couldn’t shake off the sadness, confusion and heavy-heartedness that a certain issue was bringing me. Maghrib prayer drew near while I was on the road and I knew I wasn’t gonna make it home on time. So I silently walked towards a masjid and waited for the adhan. I thought my mood would lighten by now, but it didn’t. I felt even more saddened. We all know these are the best times to make du’a because the heart is in the right state and often it is more sincere. I wanted nothing more than to make deep du’a, but as much as I tried, I couldn’t do it. I felt too overwhelmed and physically & mentally drained. The adhan went off, iqamah soon followed and I entered salah with a sigh.

For some reason, my emotions heightened as we prayed. I felt a build up and just wanted to let it all out, but I couldn’t find the right words. Subhan’Allah, what happened next was nothing short of a miracle for me, and only Allah knows how much I was moved by it. In the last ra’akah, out of nowhere in a completely unforeseen manner, the Imam rose in Qunoot Nazilah (a special invocation at times of distress, calling upon the Help of Allah). It was the most groundshaking, powerful, deep qunoot I can ever remember being part of. And it was absolutely timely. What blew me away were the words he used; as if he took them right from my heart, as if he were making du’a on my behalf.

Qunoot Nazilah is rare as it is, and even rarer is that the du’a should coincide with one’s personal issues as was my case here. I found myself saying ‘ameen’ to each and every one of the prayers with such conviction and depth… because although the Imam intended it for something else (the current troubles in Egypt, unification, clarity, and salvation from fitan), I truly felt that it was for me. I felt that Allah saw my inability to make du’a myself so He responded by guiding me to this mosque I had never prayed in, behind this Imam who I do not know of, saying ameen to a du’a and qunoot which is rarely ever performed and whose wording was exactly, exactly what I needed at that moment of time. Within seconds my burdens were lifted, and within seconds my heart soared.

Truly these hearts of ours have a Master Who knows what runs through them. We at times fail to find the right words to express ourselves, but Allah never fails in understanding us. He understands us more than we do ourselves. Turn to Allah at all times. Even if you feel like there are a 101 obstacles and you feel unable to even make du’a, just keep connected with Allah `azza wa jall. He will guide you, He will listen to you, and even if your tongue is unable to speak and only your heart can, He will listen to your heart, and answer it… or He will guide you to speak; even if it be upon the tongue of a strange Imam, from a strange mosque, in a strange city.