Ihsaan Magazine May 2020 Issue - Living your best Life | Page 19

information, correct
intention and purpose
can mean disaster.
The best confidence
is developed after
time, with sufficient
knowledge, the right
intention and purpose.
A beautiful example is
the story of Musa (AS),
the most mentioned
prophet in the Qur’an.
He is known to have
stood fearlessly in the
face of the Pharaoh in
an attempt to free the
people from tyranny.
He was the epitome of
bravery but his courage
and confidence were not
built by happenstance,
they were rather a
consequence of a very
purposeful supplication
to Allah (Du’a).
Remember, Musa (AS)
began his journey with
comfort and privilege
in the Pharaoh’s palace
but an unfortunate
accident led him to flee
and become destitute.
Years later, still with a
guilty conscience, Musa
(AS) is called upon by
Allah [SWT]. He must
go back to the Pharaoh
and intercede on behalf
of the oppressed. At this
point, Musa (AS) makes
his emotional du’a:
“[Moses] said,
My Lord, expand for
me my breast [with
assurance].
And ease for me my task
And untie the knot from
my tongue
That they may
understand my speech
And appoint for me a
minister from my family
-Aaron, my brother.
Increase through him
my strength
That we may exalt You
much
And remember You
much. Indeed, You are
of us ever Seeing.”
[Qur’an: Chapter 20,
Verses 25-35]
The Qur’anic
description is quite
clear but what
resonates in this
account is the internal
struggle between
feelings of inadequacy,
confidence, humility
and self-awareness.
How can such a brave
and courageous Prophet
of Allah have these
feelings? This is proof
that just because we
feel these emotions
doesn’t mean that we
are not confident. We
as humans, experience
similar feelings, how
we deal with these
feelings is what will
differentiate us.
Here are some tips to
help us better deal with
these feelings:
Know that Your
Feelings are Not
Uncommon
How often have we
felt that despite our
qualifications, the task
ahead of us intimidates
us?
Everything within us
and around us says
that this is the right
next move, yet we
hesitate. This sensation
of fear, overwhelm,
and self-doubt, often
leads to unhealthy
paralysis. Fortunately,
we can repurpose these
feelings to our benefit.
Allah [SWT] shows
us how to do that in
describing Musa’s (AS)
du’a.
First, Musa (AS) begins
with recognizing the
status of Allah [SWT]
as The Lord, and that
all success comes
from Him [SWT]. He
asks Allah [SWT] to
expand his mind/chest
and ease the affair; he
then acknowledges his
impediment and asks
for its removal; in the
last part, he pleads for
a supporter from his
immediate family.
Let’s break this down
in steps to help us
understand better.
1. Remember Allah
(SWT) & that You were
Chosen to Do Your Own
Best
Allah [SWT] called upon
Musa, “Indeed, I am
your Lord and I have
chosen you” [Qur’an:
Chapter 20, Verses 12-
13]
Imagine being spoken
to by The Mightiest
Lord. What an
incredible boost of
confidence; the Creator
of the Heavens and the
Earth has chosen you to
fulfil a role. Allah has
spoken to us directly as
well, how lucky must
we be? Allah says in the
Qur’an: