At the front is the locomotive, followed by cars filled with hopes, helplessness, and indescribable emotions… The locomotive, filled with hope, carries the overflowing cars on this journey. Will this journey end where the tracks end, or is hope its source in this world that has an end?
Can this train move on its own? Perhaps it’s faith in God’s mercy that propels it on this journey. People contemplate their helplessness, understand the purpose of coming into this world, believe in their Lord, and place trust in His mercy. Then they are filled with hope and embark on the journey.
A sign of human helplessness, prayer, is the train they board when they are alone, with many cars behind. Sometimes the journey begins with a ticket from the past, sometimes with an appointment for the future, and sometimes with the emotions of the present.
Prayer is a hidden journey, expressing the feelings that only you and your Lord know, a journey you can’t tell anyone about, and sometimes even hesitate to explain to yourself. In this journey, the weather is not always sunny; sometimes you travel on a rainy day, sometimes with tears of happiness, and sometimes with tears of sorrow…
A person can embark on the same journey several times with different feelings, but they never get tired of it. In the end, they realize that this journey is their need. This journey is like water; they never tire of drinking from it. They embark on this journey with everything they have. They feel that their Lord knows them better than they know themselves. The train starts moving with this hope and trust.
They continue to contemplate everything. They think about their past, their mistakes. Then they think about the present moment; they realize they are repentant, that they have raised their hands in prayer, and that their Lord has invited them into His presence. They feel in their hearts that He has granted them the desire for this journey, and they remember the following verse: “Say: ‘O My servants who have been wasteful (of their God-given opportunities and faculties) against (the good of) their own souls! Do not despair of God’s Mercy. Surely God forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, the All-Compassionate.’” (Az-Zumar 39/53). The train accelerates, filled with renewed hope.
What happens after this journey, you ask? Those who are fortunate draw closer to Him. Tranquility descends upon them, and suddenly there is peace, and with complete trust in Him, they savor tawakkul (reliance on God) sip by sip.
