Courage through Companionship

Our recent vacation was the first trip to the beach in over 6 months. When we first arrived, Muawiyah was hesitant to touch the water and was avoiding it, preferring to play in the sand. Perhaps he wasn’t sure what to expect of the waves, the undercurrent, the sharp broken seashells on the beach surface, or simply intimidated by the rolling sound of the waves.

Every time we encouraged him to go in, he would prefer backing off and refuse dipping in.

Until we stood by his side, step by step. First stepping in the shallow water without dipping in. Then burying our feet in the sand as we felt the sensation of the waves and their undercurrent pulling our feet. Then jumping above the waves, feeling the exciting splashes amidst the crashing waves. Then occasionally falling and getting wet, remembering the sensation of seawater entering our eyes.

It was almost as if he needed someone to help unpeel the layers of fear that he had. To gradually prove to him that “it’s okay”

Before long, he was having a blast almost all by himself. And by the time this photo was taken, he didn’t want to leave the water!

Life Lesson:

Fear has a tendency of paralyzing us from acting and progressing beyond our comfort zone, even if we are capable to do so in the first place! As human beings, sometimes we need companions by our side to help us face our fears. A third party to provide the psychological safety and emotional comfort, knowing someone’s got our back. Or simply another person to brave those same uncertainties to convince us that “it can be done” or that “it’s not so bad”.

The same was true, even for the Prophets of God. When Prophet Musa was instructed to confront the Pharaoh, he was terrified! He requested Allah for assistance: “And appoint for me a minister from my family - Harun, my brother.  Increase my strength through him and let him share my task” (Surah Ta-Ha, 20:25-32)

Question: What did prophet Harun actually DO during the confrontation with fir’aun? (Look it up!)

His mere PRESENCE brought strength of courage for Musa. 

In fact, even after assigning Harun, Allah instructed them to confront fir’aun, they openly admitted they still feared him – and then Allah reassured them, 

“Don’t be afraid, both of you! Verily I am with you, listening and watching” (Ta-Ha, 20:45-46)

When they saw fir’aun’s magicians cast their spell, Musa felt intense fear once again – and AGAIN, Allah reassured him: “Do not be afraid – you have the upper hand!” (Ta-Ha, 20:66-68)

In addition to granting him his wish of assigning his brother Harun to help him, time and time again, Allah reassured Musa not to be afraid, that He was with him, supporting him.

When Prophet Muhammad ﷺ first received revelation, he was absolutely terrified, too! It was his beloved wife, our mother Khadijah, who would console him with kind words of reassurance, and provided him with the support to seek professional help: by consulting a learned man, her cousin Waraqah. 

If this was the case with prophets, how about you and I? 

Our close family – our wives, our parents, our best friends behind the scenes – play an absolutely crucial role to fuel us with the courage to help us thrive and become the best people we are capable of becoming. 

Find that source of courage. And more importantly, BE that source of courage to your loved ones.