What do you think of Allah?

It is important to have an optimistic outlook on life. The term ‘optimism’ comes from the Latin root ‘optimus’, meaning ‘the best’ and the equivalent term used in Arabic is ḥusn al-ẓann, which means ‘to think the best’.

The sunnah - Prophetic practice - encourages us to try our best and be optimistic about others; this, of course, includes Allah عزوجل as well, for our relationship with Him عزوجل forms the core of our ʿīmān - belief. But what do we think of Allah عزوجل?

Some of us never really give enough time to ponder over this or where we are in our relationship with Him عزوجل, and it is really important that we do. The blessed Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم is narrated to have said:

أَنَا عِنْدَظَنِّ عَبْدِىْ بِىْ

Allah, the Most High, says, “I am to My servant as he thinks of Me.” — Bukhari #7505

This means then that if Allah عزوجل is as we think of Him, we should be hopeful of His عزوجل Mercy upon us, for He عزوجل is more a Lord of Forgiveness than of Wrath. Resultantly, we should not be hopeless about the hereafter, in fact, we should be hopeful that, despite our habit to sin, if we are sincere and resolute in seeking His pardon in this world, and do our best not to transgress, Allah عزوجل will envelope us in His عزوجل Mercy on the Day of Reckoning.

And Allah عزوجل and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم know best.