Complainer's Challenge

So what exactly does it mean to complain?

It is true, we all need to verbally express our feelings from time to time. It makes the problem real, and gives us an outlet to our dissatisfaction or pain. But when do we draw the line? When does a complaint move from a mere expression of our dissatisfaction to the very cause of our problems?

SubhanAllah, does it not also mean we are being ungrateful to Allah? Unaccepting of His will for us?

Think about this: if it were Allah you were speaking with, would you express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness in the same manner?

Would you kvetch, quetch, sound off, kick, hen-peck, nag, peck, backbite, grizzle, yammer, yawp, whine, gnarl, grumble, murmur, mutter, croak, grouch, grumble, scold, protest, repine, beef, bellyache, bitch, gripe, grouse, squawk, holler, crab, inveigh, rail, bewail, deplore, lament, bleat, fuss, groan, grieve, lament, growl, grouse, bemoan, bleat, put the boot in, and kick up a fuss?

I seriously doubt it.

When you are feeling the need to outwardly express your pain... think of Yacub... It is mentioned in the Quran that when he lost his dear son Yusuf, he would complain only to Allah. Let us remember the example of the Prophets and Companions of the Prophet, sallahu alayhi wa sallam. When we are struck down with hardship, persevere and reflect on the promise of Allah.

After hardship, there is ease....

Instead of crying and complaining to others... speak with your Creator. He has afflicted you with both joys and difficulties to test you.

Say Alhumdullah and prostrate to your Lord.

I challenge my sisters to forward this tag.... let us unite in our gratitude for Allah, Al-Wadud, The Most Loving...

Start from this very moment - how long can you go without a complaint? And when you feel it arising in your throat, and reaching the tip of your tongue, speak instead of gratitude and love for Al-Wali, The Protecting Friend, The Great Supporter.

To kick things off, I will tag my sisters Ammena, Muslimahh, April, Umm Salihah and Umm Abdullah. Be sure to come back to me in shaa Allah with the length of time you were able to keep an "attitude of gratitude."

Please note sisters! I am not tagging you because I think YOU are complainers, in fact it is very much the other way around!

In shaa Allah, I hope you will all join me in an effort to transform our thought processes, starting first with ourselves, and in shaa Allah paying it forward to the Muslim Ummah for the sake of As-Salam, the Source of All Peace.