Spiritual Intelligence: Challenges

You might have had a difficult week.

A boss that doesn't value you.

Yet another job rejection.

Children not listening.

A client that has yet to settle their bill.

We often feel that we are being punished or tested when things don't go as expected, especially when it's the same problem repeating itself.

The problem here is now we have TWO challenges: (i) the boss, child, client, etc, and (ii) the negative thought that we are being punished

Here is the spiritually intelligent reframe:

Challenges aren't Allah's way to "punish" or "test" us.

Challenges are an ACT OF LOVE from Allah ❤️

Allah is showing us the fastest way to GROW 🪴

The shortest path to getting closer to Allah is through that challenge, so rejoice and be grateful for the challenge.

In fact, it is much worse if Allah didn't challenge us. That means He is letting us drift on "auto pilot" and not growing closer to Him

Allah says:

"Allah does not expect of any soul more than what it can bear." [2:286]

Whatever burden you are carrying, it was placed by the Most Merciful and you can grow to carry it...Because that is His Promise

But what's interesting is what Allah says in the next part of the ayah:

"... Our Lord! Do not punish us if we forget or make a mistake..." [2:286]

In this case, forgetting or making a mistake isn't a "sin" but rather forgetting that a challenge is a blessing, and that Allah is always working in our favor even if we cannot see or understand it.

So if you are facing a challenge, instead of asking "why me?", "why are you punishing me?" try asking:

"Where is the hidden blessing?"

"How is Allah calling me to grow through this challenge?"

"What is this challenge telling me about myself?"

For example, you might feel you have outgrown your current role, and want a promotion. However, you are afraid to speak to your boss who has been consistently undervaluing your work.

The common "IQ smart" approach is to jump ship and just look for a better job with a fancier title. However, the spiritually intelligent approach is to realize that Allah, in His Infinite Mercy and Wisdom, is using this challenge to show you the shortest path towards what you desire (a role that challenges and values you) - and that's through a difficult conversation with your current boss!

Yes, having a difficult conversation can be extremely scary. We might feel that getting denied the promotion will put us in an untenable position. However, a spiritually intelligent Muslim remembers that Allah is always working in their favor, even when the voice in our head tells us otherwise.

Here's the twist! You might have the dreaded conversation with your boss, and still get denied the promotion! However, this denial is not a punishment. It is just the next stepping stone towards becoming the person that deserves the promotion. It could be that this denial is going to teach you one of the skills that you are lacking to thrive in the role you desire (Allah won't give what you can't handle, remember?). But even if we cannot see a rational reason for the denial, we can simply remind ourselves that a delay isn't a denial and Allah is working for everyone's good in the background (even your boss's).

Everything that comes from Allah is a blessing, especially challenges.

Embrace challenges as an invitation from Allah to grow nearer to Him by conquering your fears.

May Allah's Peace be with you 🤲 ✨

James