complete and perfect. No one has more knowledge than Him. With His eternal knowledge, He has granted us whatever is best in our right. We should be pleased with the decree of Allah, no matter what state we are in.

Why did this happen?

Luqmān Ḥakīm رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه once said to his son, “Whatever situation you face, whether you like or dislike it; keep in mind it is better in your right.”

The son replied, “O father! Please explain this further for me. How can everything that happens be best for me?”

Luqmān Ḥakīm رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه responded, “There is a prophet of Allah in a settlement. Let us go and present ourselves to him. He shall explain this much better than I can.” Father and son both took hold of their bags, climbed upon their animals and set out in search of sacred knowledge.

The journey was long and the heat intense. Along the way they also ran out of food and water, and they eventually became exhausted. As their animals also tired, they dismounted and began walking on foot. Luqmān Ḥakīm رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه then saw smoke rising in the distance. Their spirits were lifted when they saw this, yet a difficulty then appeared. A sharp bone was laying on the floor, which pierced the foot of the son and came out from the other side. He began to bleed and due to the long journey, severe heat, and lack of food and water, he fell to the ground unconscious.

Seeing his son in this state, tears welled up in the eyes of Luqmān Ḥakīm رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه. With great effort, he extracted the bone and bandaged the foot. His son regained consciousness, and asked, “O my father! The heat is intense, our water has finished, and I have been injured. Neither can we travel further nor return home. Tell me, how can all this be what is best for me?”