We know that we are created beings, and everything we see and do not see, are created by The Almighty Creator.

We refer to our Creator – our God - as Allah. الله

Al ال in Arabic means “The”. And ilah إله means “Almighty Creator”.

The Arabs before, during and after the time of Rasulullah ﷺ, refer to the Creator as Allah because Allah literally means The Almighty Creator - Or - The Original Source.

However, it is noted and culturally accepted in the non-Arabic speaking world, that the word Allah is reserved only for the Muslims.

So where is Allah when we are in difficulty?

Allah exists in the universe around us. Everything that is alive, grows, moves, progresses, does so by Allah. It requires a battery, a source of energy - and that source of energy is none other than what comes from Allah.

Muslims begin every beginning with Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Most Compassionate.

Ar-Rahman is a characteristic of Allah meaning The Utmost Compassionate. The Everlasting Source of Love and Care - we look upon Allah's Grace, on the Day of Judgement - to grant us safety from our transgressions.

Ar-Raheem is an adjective that signifies the Complete source of nurturing, providence, safety and comfort - More complete than the source of nourishment and safety that exists in the womb of a mother.

As creatures living within the Source, in a universe of law and order, we are required to learn the patterns. These patterns have been revealed in the Scriptures - the most updated version being the Quran.

In our times of difficulty - we call on Allah and hope for miracles. When miracles don't happen for us, we sometimes blame Allah for rejecting our plea, or even accuse Allah of incompetency.

Our Creator reveals to us:

وَإِذَا مَسَّ النَّاسَ ضُرٌّ دَعَوْا رَبَّهُم مُّنِيبِينَ إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ إِذَا أَذَاقَهُم مِّنْهُ رَحْمَةً إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُم بِرَبِّهِمْ يُشْرِكُونَ

And when adversity touches the people, they call upon their Lord, turning in repentance to Him. Then when He lets them taste mercy from Him, at once a party of them associate others with their Lord - 30:33

Even so, Allah the Most Loving, calls to His servants to call on Him. It takes an understanding of patterns and consequences - to be able to see the consistency of Allah's responses, and the positive aspect of whatever that befalls us. Gratitude for the lessons in life is dependent on this understanding.

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ

And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.- 2:186

Finding God, understanding and realising His Love, requires practice, reflection, mindfulness, and constant connection.

This life on earth is a series of tests - that we, humans and jinnis, had signed up for - in the hope of higher rewards. As long as we are here, our journey is of learning and tests.