Allah {SWT} Has Absolute Power Over All Things, Including Our Minds and Thoughts.

"Allah, the Most High says, “I am as my servant thinks of me; so let him think whatever he wills.” {Ahmad}

It is reported that once, Prophet Isa Ibn Maryam {AS} had been sitting and intently observing a farmer who, with a spade in hand was hard at work in his field.

At that moment Prophet Isa {AS} prayed to God: “O’ Lord! Take away from him his hopes and aspirations.”

Suddenly, the person flung his spade aside and sat down in a corner.

“O’ Lord! Return his hopes and aspirations back to him,” Isa {AS} prayed again.

The man moved from his place, picked up the spade and began working again.

Isa {AS} approached him and asked, “Why did you behave in such a way?”

The farmer answered, “I said to myself: “You are an old man whose life has almost come to an end; how much more do you wish to work and exert yourself?” 

And so I flung the spade aside and sat down in the corner. 

But after a while, I said to myself: “Why don’t you work? You are still alive and in need of livelihood and so, picking up the spade, I returned to my work.”

It is clear with this story that thought is the ancestor of all actions; also clear is that, we do not have exclusive and absolute power over our own thoughts, Allah, the Most High does. 

The Qur’an says: “I know now that Allah {SWT} is able to do all things.” {Q2:259}

Now, I also know and believe so.

May Allah {SWT} guide us away from error and save us from Hell-fire. Aamiin

References:

Namumah-e-Ma’arif

Majmua-e-Warraam

Anecdotes for Reflection