Don’t Worry, I Found It

We tend to blame God for anything, and everything bad that happens to us, and those around us. Conversely, we take credit for all the good things that happen to us. What does the Qur’an have to say about this?

The title of this post is based on a story as told by former Notre Dame football head coach and a conservative Christian, Lou Holtz during a commencement speech.

There was once a man who was desperately seeking a job. His family was suffering and he couldn’t bear to watch them go hungry. One day he finally gets a call for a job interview. He drives to the site of the interview but the parking lot was full. He kept circling and circling as the time of the interview neared. He was certain that he would have no chance of getting the job if he was late. In his desperation, he finally called out to God.

“O God Almighty, I will do anything for you. I will attend church regularly. I will pray to you regularly. I am going to be good to my neighbors and the needy. All I want is a parking spot.”

He barely finished praying, and as he looks to his left, Lo and behold, he sees an open parking spot. In this moment of excitement, he yells out.

“Oh, don’t worry, I found it”!

Have you had a ‘don’t worry, I found it’ moment in your life?

The following small sample of passages from the Qur’an addresses this very mindset.
Some of us are attached to God in good times. When adversity touches us, we blame God and move away from Him. Conversely, which is the topic of this post, some of us are attached to God in difficulties, only to move away when good times arrive. Not only that, but we then take the credit for moving from bad times to good times.

When we give him a taste of some Mercy from Ourselves, after some adversity has touched him, he is sure to say, “This is due to my (merit):…. The Qur’an 41:50

And when We show favor to man, he turns aside and withdraws himself; and when evil touches him, he makes lengthy supplications. The Qur’an 41:51
So when harm afflicts a man he calls upon Us; then, when We give him a favor from Us, he says: I have been given it only by means of knowledge. Nay, it is a trial, but most of them do not know. The Qur’an 39:49

And when affliction touches a man, he calls on Us, whether lying on his side or sitting or standing; but when We remove his affliction from him, he passes on as though he had never called on Us on account of an affliction that touched him; thus that which they do is made fair-seeming to the extravagant. The Qur’an 10:12

God reminds us as to who is really behind all the goodness we see around us. In the following sequence in chapter 56, God challenges us to ponder on a number of His bounties, such as our own creation, the harvest, the rain, and the fire that we kindle, and ends with a commandment to glorify God.

It is We Who have created you: why will you not witness the Truth?

Do you then see?- The (human Seed, or semen) that you emit.

Is it you who create it, or are We the Creators?

We have ordained death among you and We are not to be overcome,
In order that We may bring in your place the likes of you and make you grow into what you know not.
And certainly you know the first growth, why do you not then mind?
And you certainly know already the first form of creation: why then do you not celebrate His praises?

Have you considered (the seed) that you sow?
Is it you that cause it to grow, or are We the cause?
If We pleased, We should have certainly made it broken down into pieces, then would you begin to lament:
(Saying), “We are indeed left with debts (for nothing):”Indeed are we shut out (of the fruits of our labor)”

Have you considered the water which you drink?
Is it you that send it down from the clouds, or are We the senders?
If We pleased, We would have made it salty (and unpalatable); why do you not then give thanks?

Have you considered the fire which you strike (produce)?

Is it you that produce the trees for it, or are We the producers?

We have made it a reminder and an advantage for the wayfarers of the desert.

Therefore glorify the name of your Lord, the Supreme.

The Qur’an 56:57-74

One may counter that in the sequence above, God is pointing to the ‘nature’ as His signs of bounties but what we achieve is a result of our own hard work. This may be at least partly true, and indeed the Qur’an says we get what we strive for. However the ultimate sustenance and removal of difficulties is a result of God’s mercy. The afflictions may be seen as a test of our endurance, patience and our faith in God, and we are constantly reminded to not despair of the Mercy of God.

‘All good things come from God’ is a theme from the Bible as well. Any wealth, power, or strength we have originates with God. Any talent we have comes from God.

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17

Even our ability to give generously comes from God. The harvest comes from God.

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.Deuteronomy 8:18.

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 2 Corinthians 9:10

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 1 Chronicles 29:13-14

And in a verse that bears the same theme as the Qur’an 56:74 (“Therefore glorify the name of your Lord, the Supreme.”)