A reflection on Surah Ash-Shu'ara 26:61-63 - Musa's (AS) trust when trapped between an army and the sea, and what it means to move forward before seeing the way through.
Every believer eventually faces their own version of an impossible situation, a moment with no visible way forward. Surah Ash-Shu'ara gives us the clearest image of what trust looks like at exactly that moment, in the story of Musa (AS) at the Red Sea.
"My Lord Is Certainly With Me"
فَلَمَّا تَرَٰٓءَا ٱلْجَمْعَانِ قَالَ أَصْحَـٰبُ مُوسَىٰٓ إِنَّا لَمُدْرَكُونَ قَالَ كَلَّآ ۖ إِنَّ مَعِىَ رَبِّى سَيَهْدِينِ
"And when the two companies saw one another, the companions of Moses said, "Indeed, we are to be overtaken!" [Moses] said, "No! Indeed, with me is my Lord; He will guide me."" (Ash-Shu'ara 26:61-62)
Trapped between Pharaoh's advancing army and the sea, the people around Musa (AS) panicked, certain it was over. Musa (AS) responded instead with complete calm: "Absolutely not! My Lord is certainly with me. He will guide me." (Surah Ash-Shu'ara 26:62) Allah (SWT) then commanded him to strike the water, and the sea split.
Notice that Allah (SWT) could have split the sea without any action from Musa (AS). Instead, help came after he moved forward in trust, not before.
Trust That Moves
The Prophet (SAW) said, "Whoever is focused only on this world, Allah will confound his affairs... Whoever is focused on the Hereafter, Allah will settle his affairs for him." (Sunan Ibn Majah 4105)
Every believer faces their own "Red Sea": a diagnosis, a loss, an overwhelming fear. Tawakkul does not mean the sea splits instantly. It means keeping our eyes on Allah (SWT) rather than the waves while we take the next step anyway.
What We Tell Our Students
When a difficulty feels impossible, whether academic, financial, or personal, we remind our students that the sea does not split for those who stand still. It splits for those who move forward trusting Allah (SWT).
May Allah (SWT) guide our students and their families through every impossible-seeming moment, just as He guided Musa (AS) through the sea. Ameen.