January 2026
Has Allah ever withheld something from you? And when He withheld it from you, did your heart ache in pain, longing what you couldn’t have? Did you question His will? Did you wallow in sadness, seethe in anger, or feel gripped by confusion? Or did you patiently wait, having full trust in His plans that you couldn’t understand?
With my 2nd umrah approaching, I’ve been reflecting on my 1st umrah and how I much I wanted it for the longest time, and how Allah withheld it for me for years. I first had the intention to go to umrah at 16 years old, and when I finally went, I was 28 years old. For years, I waited. And waited. And waited. But the opportunity never came. The intention remained - I wanted to someday visit Allah’s House in Makkah, the home to Khalilullah - Prophet Ibrahim (a.s), his wife Hajar (a.s) and son Prophet Isma’il (a.s) and the greatest of all prophets and from the progeny of Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) — Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W).
When Allah decides to give, He doesn’t withhold anymore. When I finally went, I got to go in the most beautiful way possible. I flew business class, stayed in the best hotel in Makkah and Madinah, provided 3 meals a day, was able to spend time alone at the Ka’bah and Masjid Nabawi and really soak it all in. For the first time in my life, I truly fell in love with Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). By walking some paths that he walked, I could feel what it was like in his shoes, even if it was for a few seconds.
The most shocking part of the umrah? I didn’t work for it and if I’m being honest, I wouldn’t be able to afford it even if I worked really hard for many years. It was an opportunity that I never had before, and even then, I knew I’d never have again. It was really and truly from Allah, His precious gift to me.
Allah’s withholding doesn’t just apply to us, even the beloved prophets and righteous believers were not exempted from it. Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) was withheld from a child for many years, before Allah finally gave him Isma’il (a.s) and Ishaq (a.s).
Hajar (a.s) was withheld from water and she ran 7 times between Safa and Marwa in pure desperation while having full trust in Allah, before Allah gave her Zam Zam gushing forth from the ground in abundance to the point that Hajar (a.s) exclaimed, “Stop! Stop!” or in Arabic, “Zam Zam!” which is where it got its name from.
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) was driven out of his beloved city which he was in for 53 years. He was withheld from it for 10 years, even being denied of performing umrah by the disbelievers in Makkah. When Allah finally gave him Makkah, it was in peace. The Muslims simply marched into the city, and took over. That was after 10 years. And the city that once belonged to Tawhid but fell into shirk and kufr, once again became the land of Tawhid.
وَٱللَّهُ يَقْبِضُ وَيَبْصُۜطُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ ٢٤٥
It is Allah who decreases and increases. And to Him you will be returned.
Al Baqarah (2:245)
مَّا يَفْتَحِ ٱللَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ مِن رَّحْمَةٍ فَلَا مُمْسِكَ لَهَا ۖ وَمَا يُمْسِكْ فَلَا مُرْسِلَ لَهُۥ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Whatever mercy Allah opens up for people, none can withhold it. And whatever He withholds, none but Him can release it. For He is the Almighty, All-Wise.
Al Faatir (35:2)
Allah is the one who withholds. He is Al Qabid. And He is also Al Basit, the one who extends and expands. When Allah withholds from you… have patience and Tawakkal. When Allah extends and expands for you, give thanks and know that it is from Him.