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Introduction: The Power of Absolute Certainty

In moments of crisis, when all doors seem closed, and the odds appear insurmountable, what do we turn to? Fear or faith? Despair or reliance on Allah?

The story of Prophet Mūsā عليه السلام at the Red Sea is one of the most powerful examples of tawakkul (absolute trust in Allah). Facing what seemed like certain doom—the roaring sea ahead and Pharaoh’s mighty army behind—his people panicked:

"إِنَّا لَمُدْرَكُونَ"
"Indeed, we are surely overtaken!" (Surah Ash-Shuʿarā 26:61)

From a purely human perspective, they were trapped—with no escape and no hope. But Mūsā عليه السلام was different. He did not waver. He did not fear. He stood firm, his heart anchored in certainty, and responded:

"قَالَ كَلَّآ ۖ إِنَّ مَعِيَ رَبِّي سَيَهْدِينِ"
"No! Indeed, with me is my Lord; He will guide me." (Surah Ash-Shuʿarā 26:62)

This was not just a statement of hope—it was a declaration of certainty, a belief that Allah never abandons His servants, even in the most impossible of circumstances.

Background: A Moment of Extreme Trial

Mūsā عليه السلام and his followers had escaped Egypt, but soon found themselves cornered—before them, the vast and deep Red Sea, and behind them, Pharaoh's army in full force, armed and ready to crush them.

 The believers, overwhelmed by fear, saw only two options:  Either drown in the sea attempting to flee or be massacred by Pharaoh's forces.

Mūsā عليه السلام, however, saw a third option—the one that only the people of true faith recognize:
✅ Rely on Allah—for He is never absent, never unaware, and never powerless.

When the believers panicked and doubted their fate, Mūsā عليه السلام reassured them:

كَلَّا – "No, never!" – A firm rejection of their fears.
إِنَّ مَعِيَ رَبِّي – "Indeed, my Lord is with me." – Not just near, but actively supporting him.
سَيَهْدِينِ – "He will guide me." – Absolute conviction that Allah will provide a way out.

This was not wishful thinking, nor was it a desperate plea. It was unshakable belief that Allah never breaks His promise. And indeed, the miracle unfolded—Allah commanded Mūsā عليه السلام to strike the sea with his staff, and before their very eyes, the sea split into two towering walls, creating a dry path to safety.

"Then We inspired Moses, ‘Strike the sea with your staff,’ and it split in two, each part like a mighty towering mountain."
(Surah Ash-Shuʿarā 26:63)

Not only did Mūsā عليه السلام and his people cross safely, but Pharaoh and his army were completely drowned, sealing Allah’s victory for the believers. 

Examples form Prophet Ibrāhīm’s Story

We can see such incidents in the life of other prophets too.

Prophet Ibrāhīm عليه السلام, after being rejected by his people and facing persecution, declared his complete reliance on Allah as he set out on his journey:

وَقَالَ إِنِّي ذَاهِبٌ إِلَى رَبِّي سَيَهْدِينِ
"Indeed, I am going to my Lord; He will guide me."
(Surah As-Saffāt 37:99)

Ibrāhīm عليه السلام did not say, "I am lost," or "Where should I go?" Instead, he entrusted himself to Allah, believing that the One who commanded him to leave would also guide him forward.

 According to one view, "إِنِّي ذَاهِبٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّي" could have been his statement before being thrown into the fire, expressing his readiness to return to Allah if it was his fate.
 Another interpretation is that "سَيَهْدِينِ" referred to Allah guiding him to safety.

When his people attempted to burn him alive, Ibrāhīm عليه السلام did not panic or despair—he simply entrusted himself to Allah. His words were:

حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ
"Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs."
(Surah Āl ʿImrān 3:173)

And indeed it happened—Allah commanded the fire:

"يَا نَارُ كُونِي بَرْدًا وَسَلَامًا عَلَىٰ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ"
"O fire, be coolness and safety for Ibrāhīm!"
(Surah Al-Anbiyā’ 21:69)

Even when everything appears hopeless, Allah can change the laws of nature for His righteous servants.

The life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is filled with moments where his certainty in Allah’s protection remained unshaken, even when death was seemingly imminent. Two profound incidents highlight this absolute reliance on Allah:

Allah Will Protect Me!" – The Encounter with the Armed Bedouin

During one of his journeys, the Prophet ﷺ and his companions camped in a valley filled with trees. As was customary, they left the most shaded tree for the Prophet ﷺ to rest under. While he slept, a Bedouin managed to seize his sword, and standing over him, he suddenly woke him up and challenged:

"من يمنعك مني؟"
"Who will protect you from me?"

The Prophet ﷺ, without hesitation, responded with complete trust in Allah:

"الله يمنعني منك!"
"Allah will protect me from you!"

He repeated this three times, and as soon as he did, the sword miraculously fell from the man's hand. The Prophet ﷺ immediately seized it and turned the question back to him:

"من يمنعك مني؟"
"Now, who will protect you from me?"

The man, now defenseless, pleaded for mercy, saying:

"كن خير آخذ"
"Be a noble captor."

The Prophet ﷺ, embodying the highest character, forgave him and let him go.

What Do You Think of Two, When Allah is Their Third?" – The Cave of Thawr

During the Hijrah (Migration to Madinah), the Prophet ﷺ and his companion Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه took refuge in the Cave of Thawr, as Quraysh pursued them, searching for their lives.

The enemy scouts came so close that Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه, overwhelmed with fear, whispered:

"يا رسولَ اللَّهِ! لو أنَّ أحدَهم نَظرَ إلى قَدمَيهِ لأبصَرَنا"
"O Messenger of Allah! If one of them just looked down at his feet, they would see us!"

But the Prophet ﷺ, completely unshaken, reassured him with words of pure reliance on Allah:

"ما ظنك باثنين الله ثالثهما"
"What do you think of two, when Allah is their third?"

One of the most reflective ways the prophets expressed their unwavering trust in Allah was through the phrase "إِنَّ رَبِّي" (Indeed, my Lord). This phrase does not simply refer to Allah as "the Lord" but as "my Lord", signifying deep personal connection, absolute reliance, and a sense of belonging.

 When life feels overwhelming, remember these powerful prophetic statements:

• ✅ "إِنَّ مَعِيَ رَبِّي سَيَهْدِينِ" – "Indeed, with me is my Lord; He will guide me." (Mūsā عليه السلام)
  ✅ "إِنِّي ذَاهِبٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّي سَيَهْدِينِ" – "Indeed, I am going to my Lord; He will guide me." (Ibrāhīm عليه السلام)
  ✅ "إِنَّ رَبِّي قَرِيبٌ مُّجِيبٌ" – "Indeed, my Lord is Near and Responsive." (Shuʿayb عليه السلام)
  ✅ "إِنَّ رَبِّي عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَفِيظٌ" – "Indeed, my Lord is a Guardian over all things." (Hūd عليه السلام)

When all doors seem closed, a believer never feels lost—because they know Allah is the guide.