Voice of British Muslim Women

Our God, Kind In Subtle Ways We Perceive Not! 

Arfa Yassir, Swindon

I recently raised a complaint about a disabled button in an app, only to realise the issue was due to my own lack of understanding—the button was meant to appear that way for a valid reason. The designers, of course, had far deeper insight into how the system worked, while end-users like me often see things only from a limited perspective. 

Life is  a set of experiences meticulously designed by God Almighty, with the perspective to help us recognize and connect with our Creator. We may not acknowledge, or we may drift away from this perspective, but God Almighty most certainly doesn’t, which is the reason we may not realise God’s kindness, hidden in the harsh realities of life, until later, because He is Al-Lateef (الطیف): the Knower of subtleties (The Holy Qur’an 22:64), Benignant to His servants (The Holy Qur’an 42:20)  

Being the Knower of subtleties demands complete knowledge, just as it was in the case of the app, albeit on a human level. This is why in most places in The Holy Qur’an, with God’s Attribute Al-Lateef, the ttribute الخبیر  i.e. All-Aware, or العلیم All-Knowing is mentioned alongside. Such is the beauty of expression of this Holy Book! Because God knows us, our past and our future, so He is kind in subtle ways we may not immediately understand or add reason to.  

If we look at the life of Prophet Joseph (peace be on him) as mentioned in the Holy Qur’an (Chapter 12), it is filled with acts of subtle kindness of God Almighty. On the surface we may see someone who has had a difficult childhood and struggles in adulthood.  

In his childhood, Prophet Joseph (peace be on him)  was blessed with a prophetic dream in which eleven stars, the sun, and the moon bowed before him. Following this, out of jealousy, his brothers threw him into a well, where he was miraculously saved by some people passing by and sold into slavery. Growing into maturity, he resisted the seduction of the wife of his host and master but was still imprisoned. In prison, he not only preached Oneness of God Almighty but also interpreted dreams with God Almighty’s help. Later the king summoned him to explain his own troubling dream. Proven innocent, he was then elevated to a position of authority and placed in charge of managing the country’s food supplies during years of famine. His brothers later come to his country seeking grain and, unaware of his identity, stood before him. Through a series of encounters, Prophet Joseph (peace be on him) revealed himself, and as an act of kindness forgave them, and reunited with his family. This is how his childhood dream was  fulfilled.  

These problems and struggles proved a means to an end, i.e. recognising his Creator. So much so that his steadfastness became a hallmark of faith. And the kind act of forgiveness of his brothers, who had wronged him, an example narrated in the Holy Qur’an. 

That is why after overcoming the challenges and reuniting with his parents Prophet Joseph refers to God’s attribute Al-Lateef in the following words: 

اِنَّ رَبِّیۡ لَطِیۡفٌ لِّمَا یَشَآءُ ؕ اِنَّہٗ ہُوَ الۡعَلِیۡمُ الۡحَکِیۡمُ 

 ‘…Surely, my Lord is Benignant to whomsoever He pleases; for He is the All-Knowing, the Wise.’ 
 
(The Holy Qur’an 12:101) 
 
How did Prophet Joseph (peace be on him) during imprisonment, not  bemoan  his difficult life? Why was he not complaining about being imprisoned wrongfully?  Rather, he preached the Oneness of God Almighty. Later in a position of power, when he could have easily sought revenge, how could he forgive his mischievous brothers who threw him into a well without any remorse or regret? It is only because he had the broader picture in perspective, he knew his God was Al-Lateef, The One Who was manifesting His kindness in subtle ways he would later realise. He knew his God was far more powerful than his brothers and their selfish plans.  
 
Perhaps that is why, the chief of all Prophets, The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) repeated to his people, Prophet Joseph’s words of forgiveness to his brothers (The Holy Qur’an 12: 93) at the historic occasion of conquest of Mecca: 
 
لَا تَثۡرِیۡبَ عَلَیۡکُمُ الۡیَوۡمَ 
 
‘…No blame shall lie on you this day…’ 
 
It is only through recognising our Creator, and the true purpose of our life that we can try to imbibe this attribute of God Almighty in our lives, on a human level, like noble, holy men of God did.