themselves, is this not true? A lot of us will say yes. Whenever something happens, we turn our attention to worldly means. Although this is not a sin, as Muslims, whenever we are worried, in difficulty, unwell, facing any issue, and even during times of happiness, our first thought should be to think of Allah Almighty. Pursuing the avenues open to us has its own importance. For example, if you’re ill, you should take medicine. If you need help, there’s nothing wrong with asking your friends or family. But these are all secondary things. As Muslims, our connection with Allah Almighty should be such that whenever anything happens, regardless of the situation, we think of Allah Almighty first.

Prophetic character

In the year 3 AH, the Expedition of Ghatafan took place. The Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was travelling with his Companions رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم and camped at a particular place. The Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم rested underneath a tree, whilst the Companions رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم were some distance away.

The disbelievers made all sorts of evil plans to try and hurt the Prophet     صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. At the time, one of them appeared out of nowhere with a sword in his hand. He waved his unsheathed sword as he approached the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, and with great pride and arrogance, he proclaimed, “Tell me, Muhammad, who will save you from me now?”

In a state of complete calm, the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم simply replied, “Allah.”

In the very next moment, the disbeliever fell to the floor. The sword was now in the hand of the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, who asked, “Tell me, who will save you from me now?”

The disbeliever exclaimed in a state of despair, “I have nobody to save me!”