How can I believe that God wills good for me?

“How can I believe that God wills good for me?” This is a profound and fundamental question that often arises in the human mind, especially when facing life's challenges and hardships. The answer to this question truly lies at the heart of the teachings of the Holy Quran and a correct understanding of the essence and attributes of the Almighty Lord. To fully believe that God wills good for us, we must delve deeper into the verses that unveil this truth and cleanse our hearts of doubt and uncertainty, guiding us towards tranquility and assurance. Firstly, the most crucial principle to consider is understanding God's attributes. Almighty God has introduced Himself in the Holy Quran through numerous names, each revealing a facet of His greatness and perfection, signifying the boundless nature of His beautiful attributes. Among the most prominent of these names are "Ar-Rahman" (The Most Gracious) and "Ar-Rahim" (The Most Merciful), which appear at the beginning of every surah (except one) and throughout the Quran. "Ar-Rahman" signifies the boundless Giver, whose mercy encompasses all beings, whether believers or disbelievers, righteous or sinners. This pervasive mercy is the foundation of existence, and the life of all creation stems from it. "Ar-Rahim" denotes the Compassionate and Loving, who bestows His special and eternal mercy upon His believing and obedient servants, guaranteeing the eternal reward for the righteous. When the Lord of the worlds introduces Himself with such attributes, and continually showers us with His unending mercy in every moment of our lives, can one possibly imagine that He would desire anything but goodness for His servants? His very essence is entirely mercy and goodness, and evil or ill will can never originate from Him. This belief must be deeply rooted in our hearts: whatever comes from Him is absolute good, and no evil or harm can ever befall a person from His side. Another vital divine attribute that helps us comprehend His benevolence is "Al-Hakeem" (The All-Wise). God performs every action with unparalleled wisdom, the understanding of which is sometimes difficult and even impossible for the limited human intellect. We may encounter events in life that appear unpleasant, painful, or even harmful at first glance, but the Holy Quran teaches us that the outward appearance of matters does not always reflect their inner reality, and behind every hardship lies immense wisdom. Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 216, explicitly states: "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 key verse forms the cornerstone of believing in divine benevolence in all circumstances and invites us to surrender to His unparalleled wisdom. Many times, what we perceive as a calamity or hardship today turns out to be a gateway to greater blessings and goodness in the near or distant future. An illness might become an opportunity for self-reflection, repentance, and life correction; a financial setback might lead to the discovery of hidden talents, a change of direction, and entry into new fields; and a loss might elevate an individual to a higher station of patience and contentment, bringing them closer to God. This hidden wisdom stems from God's complete foresight into the future, the consequences of our actions, and the ultimate purpose of creation, which we can never fully comprehend, as our knowledge is limited and not eternal. Furthermore, the attribute "Al-Aleem" (The All-Knowing) means "the Absolute Knower." God is aware of every detail of our lives, from the past to the future, from the smallest thoughts to the greatest deeds. He knows what is truly beneficial for us and what is detrimental, even if we are unaware of it ourselves and see the future shrouded in uncertainty. This infinite knowledge guarantees that no decision from Him, no matter how difficult or unpleasant it may seem, is without purpose or wisdom, and it always leads towards our ultimate good and well-being. This is the concept of "Divine Providence" (Tadbir Ilahi); that God orchestrates the affairs of the world and our lives in the best possible manner and always for our ultimate good, never abandoning a servant to their own devices. Another strong reason to believe in God's benevolence is the Quran's emphasis on ease and avoidance of hardship in divine commandments. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 185, we read: "Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship." This verse clearly indicates that even religious injunctions and duties are established with the aim of facilitating life, bringing spiritual tranquility, and leading humans to felicity and perfection, not to burden them or create hardship. If God desires ease in His commands, which are set for our worldly and eternal prosperity, how could He possibly intend anything but good and ease in the overall governance of our lives? This ease and simplicity in religion itself testify to His boundless mercy and love. Moreover, the concept of "Tawakkul" (trust in God) in Islam is the practical manifestation of believing in God's benevolence. Tawakkul means complete reliance on God and entrusting all affairs to Him, while actively striving and exerting every effort without neglecting any endeavor. This trust signifies firm faith in the truth that God is the best planner, the best Preserver, and the best Guardian, and He never overlooks the welfare of His servants. When a person fully comprehends that sustenance, honor, health, and everything they receive comes from God and is based on His goodness and wisdom, a profound tranquility settles in their heart that no storm can disrupt. This reliance frees one from unnecessary worries, stress, and anxieties stemming from the unknown, and empowers them to face difficulties with courage and steadfastness, knowing that God will never abandon them and that whatever happens, it is ultimately for their benefit, even if it appears otherwise at first. The Quran also repeatedly states that God wrongs no one and does not oppress His servants (e.g., Surah Al-Kahf 18:49: "And your Lord does not wrong anyone"). This means that if hardship or unpleasantness befalls us, it is either a result of our own actions, choices, and the consequences of our sins, or a means of purification from sins, or a test to elevate our ranks and bring us closer to God and achieve spiritual perfection. In all these cases, the ultimate goal is human growth and perfection, leading to eternal good and everlasting felicity. God not only wills good for us but also loves the righteous and those who turn to Him and obey Him. In Surah Al-An'am, verse 12, it states: "He has decreed upon Himself mercy." This means that mercy is the fundamental principle of God's relationship with His servants, and He never deviates from this principle, and His love precedes His wrath. To strengthen this deep belief in our hearts and make it tangible in daily life, we should engage in practical exercises: 1. Contemplation and reflection on creation: Observing the unparalleled order and beauty of the universe, the cycle of life, and the millions of blessings God bestows upon us without asking for anything in return, all testify to His immense benevolence and constant grace. Every particle of this existence is a sign of His mercy and wisdom. 2. Constant gratitude: Recalling blessings and being grateful for them shifts our perspective from "Why did this happen?" to "How can I find goodness in this situation and learn from it?" Gratitude increases blessings and assures us that all good comes from God, and we should be thankful for them. 3. Prayer and supplication: Intimate conversation with God, expressing needs and desires, while simultaneously submitting to His will and wisdom, deepens our connection and enhances trust in His benevolence, leading to spiritual peace. 4. Patience and steadfastness in trials: Knowing that trials are not for torment and affliction, but for growth, purification of the soul, and elevation of spiritual status, helps us see the light of ultimate good amidst hardships and believe in a brighter future. 5. Studying and understanding the Quran: Immersing oneself in divine verses, especially those that refer to God's attributes, His wisdom, and His vast mercy, brings a confident heart and a peaceful soul, weaving the belief in His benevolence into the fabric of our being. Believing that God wills good for us is not merely a religious conviction, but a spiritual and psychological necessity for achieving true peace and resilience in the face of life's ups and downs. This belief keeps the light of hope shining in the darkest moments and empowers an individual to navigate life's path with a trusting heart, relying completely on the Almighty Lord, and knowing that the end of all hardships is for their ultimate good and welfare.