We often pray for expansiveness in life,
peace of mind, abundance of sustenance, ease of opportunities, and vastness of paths…
But rarely do we think about where the door to expansiveness opens from?
The Holy Quran bestows upon us such a concise yet revolutionary sentence
that can change a person's thinking, attitude, and the entire course of life:
فَافْسَحُوا يَفْسَحِ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ
So make room, and Allah will make room for you.
(Surat Al-Mujadila: 11)
This verse apparently teaches to make room for each other in a gathering, but the person who grasps the depth of its meaning, for him, this verse is not limited to just a seat but becomes a principle of life.
Such a person becomes willing to make room for his brother in every field.
He prefers cooperation over competition,
He does not push anyone to get ahead but takes them along by holding their hand.
In today's era, stepping back is considered a weakness,
Everyone is in a race to get ahead, even if it means crushing others.
But think for a moment!
The Lord who is promising expansiveness for making room for someone in a small gathering,
How much greater expansiveness will that Lord bestow for opening doors for someone,
Becoming a source of livelihood for someone,
Giving someone an opportunity,
Sharing one's chair, one's identity, one's platform,
Acknowledging someone's ability,
Supporting a helpless and impoverished person!
Narrow-minded and constricted-hearted people find only narrowness in life,
While broad-minded and open-hearted people are blessed with Allah's countless expanses.
Such people are beloved to the Gracious Lord,
Who create ease for His servants.
May Allah include us among those people
Who make room for others at every turn,
Give preference,
And have hearts that share.
Aameen