What is your life mission? This is a common question, and often we hear find what you are passionate about and keep at it. But what do you do when life happens – and things don’t work out the way you intended?
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As Muslims we have a powerful example in the life of Prophet Muhammad peace be on him. Before the first revelation and up to that point, he was on a leadership track.
- He had already earned the reputation for being As-Sadiq – the truthful,
- He had grown up under the care of the leaders of Makkah - his grandfather Abdul Muttalib and then his uncle Abu Talib.
- As a young adult at 23 he shone as an employee, and was eventually proposed to by Bibi Khadija and married her.
- By the age of 35 he had 5 children – 4 daughters and his son Qassim who had died 9 years prior
- Also at that age he was approached to solve and did solve a major issue affecting the tribes of Makkah – with the placing of the black stone of the Kabbah. He proposed a solution that all the tribes accepted.
So he was on a leadership track, well-respected by his peers and set to achieve a lot on the trajectory he was on.
At age 40, everything changed. Alone in a cave, he received revelation and the command to preach a message that would upset his entire society. He had no army, no evidence to support his claims, no leverage. Just faith. He didn’t choose this mission, it was given to him. ·
Even Arabia at that time was in the shadow of 2 great civilisations – the Romans in Byzantine north west and the Persians in the north east.
The following decade was characterized by intense hardship and loss.
- His son was born and died a year or 2 later,
- His followers were persecuted – some had to migrate to Abyssinia,
- He lost his status, he was mocked, attacked and even stoned.
- He lost his uncle and his wife – he was left with 4 children with the oldest at 11 years at the time and the youngest at about 4.
At the lowest point in this mission, he was taken to Miraj – the highest height. But even that was a test and a trial. He had no success to show in his mission – no visible sign of God’s favor as far as society was concerned, and yet saying he was taken to heaven and met God himself. Even some of his followers abandoned him at that point.
At the age of 52 he had to migrate – leaving behind the society he grew up in. His family. But he did, and he withstood military advances, buried most of his children - 3 daughters and another son, he had negotiated successfully and conquered Makkah with grace and mercy. It wasn’t about ego and revenge – it was about his mission and faith in Allah.
Most of us won't face such extreme tests in our lives. The lesson is this: Your mission isn't always about your perfect plan. Sometimes, it's about how you respond to the unexpected cards you're dealt.
Find the purpose in your circumstances. It may be a lesson to help you grow. It may be a test to prove you are ready. In any event, Use what you have. Do what you can. Persevere and be patient, and have absolute faith that Allah has a plan for you, and He wont let you down. It is only in this way you can be at absolute peace in any circumstance.
Your legacy might well be your resilience, or it can set the stage for a contribution beyond what you could ever imagine.
May Allah shower his peace and blessings on his Prophet and messenger Muhammad Mustapha peace be on him, and may He guide us to know and pursue our own missions, for His pleasure, with grace and stronger in faith.
