.::lesson of the day: why back off before you even try::.

Assalamualaikum W.B.T

Often in our lives, whether we realize it or not, we tend to look down on others and even on our own capabilities. This may not apply to all, but trust me, many people (including me myself) do fall into such trap. You know why? One of the reasons is because we like to make assumptions.

Consider this situation:

You are assigned to do a task that you have never done before. And you have witnessed a person whom you think highly of because of his/her outstanding performance in completing the similar task and it makes you feel inferior. What will you do? Take it as a challenge or refuse to take the responsibility and suggest someone else (whom you think better than you) to take over?

Hmm...a person with high aspiration will surely grab the chance and prove him/herself. But for those who lack confidence, what will happen? The assumption that "I will not succeed" or the stigma that "I am not qualified enough to do that" could lead them to choose the second possibility. And I always be the one who fall into such trap. But to think about it, I remember one verse in Al-Quran that could indeed be a good remedy for the "lack-of-confidence" problem. It is the last verse in Surah Al-Baqarah which is ayat 286.

"Allah burdens not any soul beyond its capacity. It shall have the reward it earns, and it shall get the punishment it insures..." (2:286)

This verse could be interpreted in many ways. And I would like to interpret it this way:

Nothing happens for no reasons. Nothing happens coincidently. Everything has been planned by HIM. This means that everyday, every single thing that we encounter or happens to us is all within HIS knowledge. So, when HE plans something for us, that means HE knows we could handle it. HE has the confidence that we could take the challenge because HE knew us well enough, more than we knew ourselves. Of all the people, HE has chosen us to do/perform/take the responsibility. It also signifies the trust HE has on us. Do we then realize how lucky we are? To be honoured by THE GREATEST LORD to face what he planned for us to face? So, no matter how hard things are, just remember that THE MOST POWERFUL RULER knew that at the very end, we will surely manage to face/go through it. Just have  the faith in HIM (because HE has faith in us). InsyaAllah, we'll make it through =)

Consider another situation:

You have 2 friends, A and B. You always do things together. One day, you want to buy night-market-food and you need a friend to accompany you. This time, you only asked B. You didn't asked A because he/she always had that kind of "hotel/restaurant-meals" and he/she looks like the type that "not-favor-night-market-food-so-much". With the assumption that A have no interest to eat such food, you didn't asked him/her at all. Few days later, you knew that A and B went to the night market together and buy "night-market-food". And you was like, "owh...I didn't expect A to enjoy that kind of food".

Hmm...in this situation, assumption and expectation is a total disaster. You see, when we assume things, it will not always turn out to be the absolute truth. Often the case, our assumption do contradict with the real facts. It is even worse if our assumption indirectly posts "underestimate" scents to other's potential/capacity of doing something (I knew it is not related to the situation given earlier ;)

But anyways, the messages that I intend to convey from the example are simple:

First: "Don't look down on others"
Second: "Look for facts and don't assume things"
Third: "Don't judge the book by it's cover for looks can be deceiving".

"O believers! Let not the men scoff at the men, perchance they may be better than those who scoff, and nor the women at other women, perchance that they may be better than those women who scoff,...." (49:11)

"O believers! Avoid most suspicions, verily some suspicion is a sin and do not look out for faults and do not backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would abominate it. And fear Allah, Verily Allah is Oft Returning, Merciful" (49:12)

Hmm...I guess that's all for today. This is the first lesson I learnt recently. InsyaAllah, will try to be as positive as I can to face any trials in life ;)

Salam~