All the levels of faith are built upon having good expectations of Allah. Psychological balance is also rooted in having good expectations of Allah. Hardship is one of the natural laws of life. Strengthening our trust in Allah and our positive expectations of Him will certainly help us see hardship in a positive light, allowing us to feel tranquility and peace in the face of life’s storms. Today, as we pass through a blessed memory, the memory of the noble Hijrah filled with moments that deepen our knowledge of Allah and strengthen our certainty in His presence, how can we benefit from it and grow toward what is better? Let us contemplate the Day of Hijrah. The Prophet, peace be with him, set out from Makkah to Madinah to spread the message of Islam in Madinah after the severe oppression he faced from the people of Makkah and their powerful resistance to the message. He planned for this journey with great care, remaining committed to the supplication mentioned in the words of Allah Most High: “My Lord, cause me to enter with a true entrance and to exit with a true exit, and grant me from Yourself a supporting authority.” Let us reflect on this remarkable story. The First Scene: Contemplating the Role of our Master Ali On the Day of Hijrah, the Prophet, peace be with him, entrusted our master Ali ibn Abi Talib to remain in Makkah in order to return the trusts to their owners. He asked him to sleep in his bed. The disbelievers of Quraysh came to kill him. What is the natural outcome expected in such a moment? Naturally, they would kill him in the bed thinking he was the Prophet. But Allah, the Protector, guarded him and kept him safe. They were inspired to uncover the blanket before attacking him, and thus realized he was not the Prophet. Why did Allah protect our master Ali? Because he feared none but Allah and cared only for Allah’s pleasure. Allah, the Protector, took him into His care and safeguarded him. The Second Scene: The Cave The Prophet, peace be with him, left Makkah heading toward Madinah, accompanied by his beloved companion Abu Bakr. They reached the entrance of the Cave of Thawr, where the Prophet and Abu Bakr were hiding. The disbelievers came very close to them. Abu Bakr felt afraid, and the Prophet reassured him saying: “What do you think of two, when Allah is the third of them?” Which Name of Allah did the Prophet, peace be with him, experience in this moment? Give your children time to think. The Protector will guard me. The Near One sees me and hears me. The Helper will support me. The Guardian will never leave me. And indeed, Allah the Near, the Protector, the Guardian kept them hidden. The disbelievers did not see them nor enter the cave due to Allah’s protection and care. How can the Names of Allah help you with their strength and beauty when you feel afraid? Are there moments when you feel fear? How can you strengthen yourself using the Names of Allah? The Third Scene: The Story of Suraqah ibn Malik A scene filled with awe, leaving the heart amazed at Allah’s power and His protection for those He loves and those who seek His pleasure. When Quraysh learned of the Prophet’s Hijrah, they announced a reward of one hundred camels for whoever captured the Prophet, peace be with him, alive or dead. Suraqah ibn Malik heard the announcement and set out following the tracks of the Prophet, hoping for the reward. When he drew close to the Prophet and Abu Bakr, and was about to reach them, the legs of his horse sank into the sand, and he could not move forward. Suraqah informed the Prophet of Quraysh’s plot. The Prophet asked him to conceal their location and promised him the bracelets of Kisra in return. Suraqah went back and hid the whereabouts of the Prophet and Abu Bakr. This was part of Allah’s care for His Prophet, for Allah changed Suraqah’s intention. He came seeking the reward and left protecting the Prophet, causing no harm. How did Allah, the Protector, safeguard His Prophet in this moment? Each time Suraqah got closer, Allah caused his horse to sink into the sand. Which Names of Allah can you identify from this scene? How can this make you stronger in your life and help you organize your priorities? How does Allah protect, care for, and guard us? Allow your children to think and answer. When our greatest concern is Allah’s pleasure, when seeking His approval is more important than the approval of any person or any group, He protects us as He protected His prophets and His righteous servants. It is essential to hang this hadith in the home and have your children memorize it and repeat it often to strengthen their faith: From Abdullah ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, who said: “I was behind the Prophet, peace be with him, one day, and he said: ‘O young boy, I shall teach you some words. Guard Allah and He will guard you. Guard Allah and you will find Him before you. If you ask, ask Allah. If you seek help, seek help from Allah. Know that if the whole nation were to gather to benefit you, they would never benefit you except with what Allah has written for you. And if they were to gather to harm you, they would never harm you except with what Allah has written against you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried.’” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, who said: It is a good and authentic hadith.