I could hear my phone ringing somewhere under the pile of papers and boxes of scarves. A week away from the next event and I was nowhere near ready. I finally found my phone and picked up to my supplier frantic on the other end. "Reem, I don't know how this happened. The next shipment is delayed, you won't receive it for 2 weeks. The scarves won't be here in time for your event." I've never been one to externally panic, so naturally I assured her it was okay, my famous "kheir InshAllah" and ended the call. Normally this is where I'd internally panic, a lot....
To my surprise I did not. Allah allowed me to remember Um Salamah's duaa/prayer. When her beloved husband was martyred in the battle of Uhud the Prophet (saw) told her to say " To Allah we belong and to Him is our return. Oh Allah! Compensate me in my affliction and give me something better." At the time, Um Salamah reports that she thought to herself, who could possibly be better than her husband Abu Salamah? She ended up marrying the Prophet (saw). A compensation she herself could never have imagined.
Next time you are faced with any test, big or small, remember this duaa. Remember that this world is fleeting and that we will one day return to Allah. Only He can mend our hearts. Even when it feels like your duaa has gone unanswered for years and years, remember it is by His will and on His timing that we live. May our hearts find peace in knowing that we are in Allah's protection and presence always.
Note: The shipment arrived in time, in fact the only shipment that was delivered on time was mine. However, even had it not been, I know with all my heart my duaa did not go unanswered. Not all duaas will be answered the way we want, or at the time we want. However, knowing I make my duaa to the all Merciful puts my heart at ease. I have surrendered to His will and pray we are always reminded of this in our hardest of times.