“Say: Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds.” (6:162)

Have you ever had someone go to extraordinary lengths for you? Maybe they went above and beyond to help you through a difficult period in your life, gave of their time and energy when you desperately needed a favor, or perhaps they treated your children or parents like their own which completely won you over… Just thinking of these individuals now probably makes you smile.

We’ve all hopefully been blessed to meet some of these kind-hearted, selfless souls throughout our lives. Whether they are our parents, friends who have become like family or strangers who inspire us with their kindness, they are individuals for whom we feel a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation.

The other day, a good friend shared a khutba (Friday sermon) of Sheikh Omar Suleiman’s held at Valley Ranch Islamic Center (VRIC). Sheikh Omar Suleiman had recently returned from Hajj, and in his sermon he reflected upon what it means to become a friend (wali) of Allah (SWT). I would highly recommend everyone listen to this emotionally uplifting sermon if you haven’t already: It is a beautiful reminder of the power of friendships (suhba), sacrifice, and our status with Allah (SWT).

Sheikh Omar opened the sermon by describing the extraordinary image of the rain that fell down on Arafah this year – an anomaly that hasn’t happened in over a decade. The rain was unexpected and came down when people were tired and had been humbled by the heat, having taken to their tents.

He describes:

“The rain that came down on the day of Arafah on the people that were there in Hajj was so extraordinary, so refreshing. It brought everyone out of their tents, and if you took a moment to just peek around you, all you saw was everybody outside, standing up with their hands up like this (hands extended open in air).

No one was sitting; no one was in the tents. The rain hits you from this way, and then the rain hits you from behind you. And it was heavy enough to cool off the entire day of Arafah, and at the same time, it wasn’t too heavy to where it became dangerous for the people that were outside.

There was lightning, and the lightning actually struck. There’s the main light source… the lightning bolt actually struck it directly and lit up all the lights at one time. I saw it happen in front of my own two eyes. And you have this scene out of a movie…”

I was struck by this imagery, this sweet, unforeseen setting created for these special guests of God. What’s more is that Sheikh Omar notes how these rain clouds were distinct to the area of Arafah.

Just imagining the great lengths of sacrifice it took for these pilgrims to reach the sacred lands only to be humbled by the heat and then gifted this respite and reward for their devotion had me in awe. This was an occurrence that no meteorologist could predict nor had been seen there in years. The timing was just perfect, an immediate response to many of the heartfelt dua’s being made that day.

These servants of the Divine had come to commemorate the sincere sacrifice, servitude, and devotion of the ones who came before us – our forefathers Abraham (AS) and Ismael (AS), and our mother, Hagar (RA) – and then were greeted with such a timely, much desired surprise. Subhaan’Allah! Sheikh Omar then called our attention to a deeper question – Who was this special servant, this guest God had invited whose sincerity brought the clouds to part and pour down such refreshing rains?

Sheikh Omar reminded us that special folks like this exist among us. Some we are aware of for their constant reminder of the Divine; others, we will never know. Their special status is a reflection of the station of their heart, something that can change with the seasons and varied breezes that enter and exit within. For some, a moment may transform them forever. They may be called to God in tragedy like the family members of the martyrs of Christchurch who were on Hajj this year.

For others, their re-calibration may happen over time. Through continued disobedience, they may find God over and over again until the sweetness of repentance overpowers any sin they seek. The pleasure of God becomes all-powering, the new driver for all of their affairs. Yet, this new elevated status is often devoid of recognizable markers of distinction to the rest of creation. It is a rank achieved through struggle, sacrifice, and sincere servitude. We strive, but ultimately He decides.

In these days after Hajj where many continue to long to be invited to God’s home, where we crave the company of those who have just returned and eagerly await to hear their stories, Sheikh Omar reminds us that perhaps even in these waiting periods, our hearts are being re-calibrated. No one knows our stations with the Divine but Him, and all we can do is continue to strive as we do with each passing season. Each moment brings with it its own gifts, and perhaps we are benefiting from the rain brought down by another sincere believer until we too reach their station, insha’Allah.

As we begin a new school year hopeful for a fresh start for our children, and await the beginnings of crisper, cooler temps in fall (at least in Texas!), let us also be hopeful for the seasons that are yet to come. As servants of God, our levels of faith (Imaan) will continue to ebb and flow. May the season that we are passing through be a means of re-connection, and may we savor the waiting.

Who knows how our hearts are being redirected and by whom, so let us also pray for our friends and surround ourselves with those who remind us of God, who too are striving for Divine closeness. We never know who may be opening doors of goodness for us and calling upon the rains to pour down.

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