When I watch the news, what I see is mostly sadness, corruption, and despair. Rarely do I see something uplifting or inspiring; perhaps because news is more interesting to people when it is sensationalized. But then again, what makes the news are just people and their situations after all — people just like you and me.

Then when I think of the people I know, I remember so many stories that are really amazing, inspirational, and somehow miraculous. Maybe these stories are not "newsworthy"; maybe they will never be made into a movie or discussed on a talk show, but they are miraculous nonetheless.

I remember a friend of mine who suffered with fear for many years. She had a difficult time at school — the way she was treated there; and she entered her adult life with many physical and psychological problems, but she never gave up. She was willing to take the risk and travel abroad to study. She met new friends, and her quiet determination and trust in Allah finally paid off. If you saw her years ago and then looked at her today, you would hardly recognize that this is the same person. She is now a bright, cheerful, caring, and loving human being, who finally learned how to open up and love and be loved. She is healing, and through her, I learned how Allah helps and heals people and how the individual must make the first step with hope and determination. She is a walking miracle.

I have also seen many people pack up and leave their loved ones and homes to study abroad. They go to learn Arabic and Qur'an and spend many years living humble lives as students. They could be back in their home country working and making money, but they choose to study the deen so they can one day return and teach their people. I asked one of them how she survives, and she told me, "The Lord we worship is the same Lord who provided food, shelter, and help to Maryam, the mother of Jesus (peace be upon them); the same Lord who provided for Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) when he was thrown into the well, despised by his own brothers. And I know that the Lord will also provide for me."

From these wonderful people I have come to know, I have learned that there are basically two kinds of people: those who live their lives with the help and support of the Almighty, and those who try to live life on their own. When people live their lives without the help and support of Allah, they must draw on their own strengths and resources. They have to try to guess at what the people around them are doing and planning. They have to rely on man's scientific and technological abilities, which are not always reliable. They also have to live with the consequences of their actions and those of others.

However, when people choose to live their life under the shade of Allah, the opportunities are endless; they have tapped into the source of peace, the source of success, the source of advancement. When we commit sins, the natural consequences lead us into difficulties; but when we are close to Allah and seek forgiveness, He, Most Merciful, takes away the negative consequences of those sins and may even choose to turn the evil into good. When we are close to Allah, we do not have to guess at the decisions we make. We can seek His guidance and direction through performing Istikharah and be sure we are heading in the right direction. When we have a problem or a difficult task to complete, we can just ask the Lord for help and then be sure that the help will come in ways we never imagined; and even if we do not end up getting what we wanted, we will feel at peace and be guided toward something good.

So, you might meet someone who lives in a dangerous place but remains unhurt; you might meet a person who has undergone all kinds of difficulties and hardships but emerges with strength of character and wisdom. Now that is a miracle! And that comes from living your life under the shade of Allah.

Make your life a miracle! Turn to Allah five times a day; fast and learn how to control your body and mind; do good deeds and do not just concentrate on your own needs. When problems pass you by, remember you are not alone, and ask your Lord for help. I promise that you will feel calm inside and your way will be clear.

Pray and ask for help, gather your inner resources, and take a step forward, resting assured that the help of Allah will come. All creation will pray for you; the angels will pray for you; mankind might oppose you, but nothing will happen without Allah's permission — you will feel safe and rejoice in your miraculous life. It does not mean that you will not fail sometimes and that you will not go through the ups and downs of life, but you will have the strength and direction to pick up the pieces, keep going, and forge your way forward.

If you happen to watch the news at times in your life, the negatives of what you see will not affect you because you are living your life and it is strong, positive, and protected.

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