This isn't really a blog "post" as such- it's just a thought. I was watching a video yesterday about some people who suffered abuse (of all kinds) as a child and before I went to bed, I thanked Allah that I had never been abused and that I did not have a traumatic childhood. I'm not gonna sugar-coat it, there were a few smacks here and there, but Alhamdulillah, nothing really bad.
Then it got me thinking: why do we have to hear about someone being abused, or see someone blind or in a wheelchair to be thankful? We are such tiny specs on this Earth, and we have no wisdom compared to Almighty God, and as much as we try, we cannot make a list of everything we ought to be thankful for. We are blessed in so many ways we don't even realise, and we cannot even fathom all of them. But why does it take for us to notice someone who doesn't have something for us to be thankful that we do have that something.
Some people think that Allah has made people disabled etc so that able-bodied people will look at them and thank Allah that they are not like that. This may or may not be true, but I seem to think that it is true. Since Allah has created us, and knows us, inside out, he knows that we will not appreciate what we have until we see those who are without.
But then, SubhanAllah, have you notice that most (not all ) people with any health conditions (may or may not be disabilities) are just so much stronger within themselves and seem to be happier. It's like how I was waching a Channel 4 documentary named "Beauty and the Beast"- and there was a guy on there with a facial disfigurement. And he saw past the superficial ideology of society that your face and looks are the most important, and instead saw the importance of inner beauty.
And in the same way, I think my condition, hypothyroidism, has also made me see past the society's "size zero we-all-wanna-be-thin" conditioning, and accept that we all come in different shapes and sizes. I used to feel so unconfident within my skin, thinking people treated me differently because I was fat. Now, I couldn't care less, because I'm happy with the way I am, and I know that I am beautiful on the inside. I also know it takes people a while to realise this, and to see past the stereotypes.
So I want you to use me as an example to be thankful. I want you to be thankful and feel blessed that you have a normal, functioning thyroid. That you can lose weight quicker than me, that you can eat what you want and not have to worry about gaining weight. Not because it's so difficult for me, or that I want your sympathy, because although at first it was difficult, it has become so much easier. Just because I believe God made me this way so that you would be thankful for your thyroid.
11 comments:
Sister thank you for writing this post. It is very beautiful mashallah. I do believe there is hadith from the Prophet which directs believers that if they start to feel bad by looking at others who have more than them then they should look at someone who has less so they should realize their blessings. (along those lines)
As someone who has underwent child hood abuse (and didnt get out until 19) I often feel very excited for those people who have mothers and fathers that are kind and understand. Even the ability to hug your parents and know that you are safe...without going into details I tell them you should be so thankful for that.
Everyday of my childhood I lived in fear and it has shaped my inadequacies and personailty. Alhamdoolilah its over and I never have to feel like that again. But as I sometimes wonder why Allah would do that I realize that it has benefitted me. Just like your sufferings have/will benefit you. I do not think Allah swt makes others suffer so that others feel better about themselves, I think it is more nuanced. Is it in the quran or the hadith which says that Allah test believers in the dunya even with the smallest things so as to expatiate their sins.
What I went through when I was younger has made me a stronger person. Nothing scares me (like what I used to go through) so I am fearless in almost any situation. Also I never looked down on anyone or made fun of anyone when I was younger because the only important thing to me was the inner beauty and kindness which I could detect. I got married to an amazing man and have a relatively great life and I think its all the "ease" after the hardship.
Your thyroids I believe will/has produced great things in you even though you may not realize them yet.Inshallah you will see the benefits.
No, thank YOU for reading this post. Oh, definitely, I forgot to mention that Allah definitely does and will test us, in order that some of our sins may be erased.
Thank you for sharing your story, it has really touched my heart.
InshaAllah I will, it has already become so much better and I definitely am seeing the benefits- that I have this for life and will continually be tested by it, in the hope that it will make me stronger and my sins may be erased.
Thank you so much for your comment
Subhanallah, great reminder. I feel like so many people forget to be thankful everyday. We should just be thankful we're alive and able to worship Allah and that we have eyes that work correctly and internet and food to eat. really makes you think.
This is another AMAZING and thought provoking post. Jazakallah for sharing.
As humans we do sometimes become ungrateful and forget the value of what we have / take for granted. And this was an excellent reminder. We should constantly remind ourselves, that no matter how bad it gets, there's probably someone out there who has it a lot worse and it could get a lot worse.
As the Almighty says in Surah Al-Baqrah, in the last few verses, Allah burdens no soul beyond it's capacity.
:)
i really loved this post, it was wonderful. you're truly amazing, Nuby!
thanks for sharing :D ♥
i liked this post a lot:)
we should be friends
i have something for u in my blog
beautiful post, so true. I felt this way last year when I was in hospital and on heart meds last year. Its amazing how much insight, gratitude and truth you can gain from suffering. without darkness there would be no light
xx
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Great post. You are so strong mash'allah. I've been thinking about gratitude for the past few months and have also stumbled upon the speculation that our good fortune is usually only recognized by us when we are comparing ourselves to others!
I'm guilty of this too and am slowly trying to realign my views.
I am sooper dooper GRATEFUL for this post of yours :D <3
great post sister..I agree with you,I am not the best muslim and I have my ups and downs with faith but at least I try not to ever fall asleep withouth saying the prayers I know by heart and thanking Allah for the day that passed. excuse my English.. ang selam from Bosnia & Herzegovina
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