
22/07/2021
A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Zahid Hussain
A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Zahid Hussain
Good Morning.
Sometimes it feels as though our entire world is in constant turmoil. During such times it’s useful to wake up early and listen to the birds singing and re-find our purpose.
It can be hard to do.
Let me tell you a story. Once upon a time, there was a rich merchant who lived in Arabia. He traded in a local market where he sold his wares brought by ship from all over the world. One day a young man ran up to the merchant’s stall and cried, “Bad news! Your ship was been lost at sea!”
The Merchant who was busy with a customer paused for a moment. He said, “Alhamdolillah!” (All Praise be to God!) before turning back to his work.
The young man, confused, hurriedly departed.
A few days later the youth returned and shot straight for the merchant. This time he said, “Good news! Your ship has come into port!”
Once again, the merchant paused for a moment and said, “Alhamdolillah!”
The surprised youth asked, “But why? When we thought the ship was lost you said “Alhamdolillah” and now it has been found you say “Alhamdolillah’?”
The merchant smiled. “Everything belongs to God,” he said, “whether he gives something or takes it away, I am content either way.”
And the youth replied, “Alhamdolillah!”
Dear Lord, fill our hearts with gratitude for everything you have blessed us with from the breath in our bodies to the things we can sense. And fill us with gratitude for the embracing love of our family and friends.