When You Just Want Allah

Mūsa عليه السلام was about to face something incredibly difficult.

He was being commanded to go to Firʿawn.

A man who had power.

A man who had oppressed his people.

A man Mūsa عليه السلام knew could be dangerous.

And what did Mūsa عليه السلام ask Allah for?

He asked for an expanded chest.

For ease.

For the ability to communicate clearly.

He did not ask to be made powerful.

He did not ask for everyone to agree with him.

He did not ask Allah to remove every difficulty before he began.

He asked Allah to prepare him for what was ahead.

And I think there is something deeply relevant here for us.

Sometimes we pray:

\“Allah, change my situation.”

But perhaps there are moments when the better prayer is:

“Allah, change what is happening within me as I move through this situation.”

When you have a difficult conversation, ask Allah to expand your chest.

When you have to stand up for yourself, ask Allah to give you the right words.

When you enter a new environment, ask Allah to ease your affairs.

When you feel misunderstood, ask Allah to untie the knots in your speech.

When you are nervous about something you have to face, ask Allah to give you an expanded heart before you walk into it.

Because sometimes the situation will not change immediately.

The person may still be difficult.

The conversation may still need to happen.

The responsibility may still be yours.

The decision may still have to be made.

But you can enter that moment differently.

With Allah.

And perhaps that is one of the most beautiful things about this du’ā.

Mūsa عليه السلام did not ask Allah to make the task disappear.

He asked Allah to make it easier for him to carry.

There are things in our lives that we cannot avoid.

We have to have the conversation.

We have to make the decision.

We have to begin again.

We have to walk into the unknown.

We have to let go.

We have to say no.

We have to speak.

We have to remain silent.

And sometimes we simply need Allah to give us the capacity to do what needs to be done.

So today, before the difficult conversation, before the meeting, before you send that message, before you make that decision, pause.

Take a breath.

And make this du’ā.

Ask Allah to expand your chest before asking Him to change the world around you.

Ask Him to ease your affairs.

Ask Him to give your tongue the right words.

Ask Him to allow your words to be understood.

And then walk forward.

You may still feel nervous.

You may still feel uncertain.

But you will know that you did not walk into that moment alone.

Mūsa عليه السلام walked towards one of the most powerful men of his time with a du’ā on his tongue.

And perhaps we can learn from him.

You do not always need more confidence. Sometimes you simply need more reliance upon Allah.

May Allah expand our hearts, ease what feels difficult, place wisdom upon our tongues, and give us the strength to face every situation in a way that pleases Him. Ameen 🤍