Has Everything I Wished For Not Been Good?

The question, "Has everything I wished for not been good?" is one of the deepest and most human queries that can occupy a person's mind throughout life. This question stems from humanity's encounter with life's realities, the disparity between desires and their fulfillment, and the underlying wisdom in events. The Holy Quran, with its comprehensive and insightful perspective, offers an illuminating answer to this concern, capable of bringing peace to anxious hearts. Indeed, this question guides us toward understanding one of the most fundamental principles of monotheistic worldview: the limitation of human knowledge and perception in contrast to God's infinite knowledge and absolute wisdom. Allah Almighty states in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 216: "But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not." This noble verse is the backbone of the answer to your question, clearly stating that the criterion for good (khair) and evil (sharr) is not always based on our apparent desires or dislikes. Sometimes, what we detest is, in its essence, a source of goodness and blessings, and at other times, what we passionately yearn for ultimately proves detrimental to us. Our knowledge and perception are limited to the present moment, and we lack the ability to fully predict long-term consequences and outcomes. We only see a small piece of life's puzzle, while Allah is aware of all dimensions, connections, and results of every event, across time and space. Divine wisdom dictates that sometimes, to protect us from a greater evil or to guide us towards a greater good, our desires may not be fulfilled, or even unpleasant events may occur. These events are not merely punishments; rather, they can be opportunities for growth, tests of faith, purification from sins, and spiritual elevation. In Surah Al-Ankabut, verses 2 and 3, we read: "Do people think that they will be left to say, 'We believe' and they will not be tried? * But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars." These verses remind us that worldly life is a continuous test, and many occurrences that seemingly go against our wishes are, in fact, tools to gauge our faith and perseverance. Perhaps losing a job we strived for leads to finding a better and more suitable opportunity aligned with our talents; or a severe illness becomes a means for a closer connection to God and a reassessment of our life's priorities. In such circumstances, two fundamental qualities become prominent for believers: patience (sabr) and reliance on Allah (tawakkul). Patience means steadfastness in the face of hardships and disappointments, while tawakkul signifies complete trust in divine planning and will. When a human heart reaches this deep conviction that all matters are in the hands of Allah and that He desires nothing but the good and welfare of His servants, profound peace takes root within them. No longer can the anxiety of unfulfilled desires or the fear of problems disrupt their tranquility. Surah At-Talaq, verses 2 and 3 beautifully express this truth: "And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out * And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent." These verses show that piety and reliance on Allah are keys to solving many of life's complexities, and Allah helps us in ways we cannot imagine. This help can come in the form of a different desire being fulfilled, a greater problem being averted, or the granting of inner peace. Ultimately, our worldly desires are often shaped by superficial appearances and material criteria, whereas true 'good' is that which guarantees our eternal salvation. Sometimes, achieving all our material desires distances us from the path of servitude and the primary purpose of creation. So, the answer to the question "Has everything I wished for not been good?" is: no, it's not necessarily true that everything we wished for was not good. However, certainly everything that has been decreed for us and has happened inherently contains a hidden good, of which only the possessor of absolute knowledge, Allah, is aware. Our duty is to continue life's journey with a confident heart, content with divine decree, praying for what is good, and trusting in the limitless wisdom of the Almighty. This perspective not only dispels sorrow and despair but also opens a door to true peace and deeper faith. This outlook teaches us that instead of regretting what we lack, we should reflect on divine wisdom and be grateful in every state, for He is the best planner of affairs and desires nothing but the good for His servants. This concept empowers us to navigate life's ups and downs with greater steadfastness, knowing that every event, hidden within itself, holds a lesson and a goodness that will be revealed at the appropriate time. Therefore, one should never despair of Allah's grace and wisdom, even if the path of life does not align with our apparent desires. This is the pinnacle of faith's perfection and contentment with divine decree.