Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala says in the Qur’an:
“And when they (Taloot and his believing army from amongst Bani Israel) advanced to meet (their enemies), Jaloot and his forces, they invoked: Our Lord! Pour forth on us patience, and set firm our feet, and make us victorious over the disbelieving people.” [Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 250]
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Jaloot and his army, who were oppressing Bani Israel at that time, were strong and ruthless, who were skilled in war. All the odds were against Taloot and his men. They didn’t have a large army; didn’t have physical strength and fighting experience like Jaloot and his forces.
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But they knew that victory only comes with the Help of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.
So they made du’a to Allah, and look at the wordings of their supplication! They didn’t say: ‘O Allah, shower us with patience’ but ‘O Allah, pour and empty the whole bucket of patience upon us’! As if they were asking Allah to pour on them, from head to toe, with patience; to make every cell of their being doused with patience. They asked Allah to not make them run away, to make their feet firm, to make them brave and victorious. They knew how weak they were, but they knew how strong Allah is.
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The ayah showcased the intensity of facing their enemies. It must had been an enormous test for Taloot and his army to face such mighty tyrants! But when we read the next ayah, Allah simply says:
“So they routed them by Allah’s Leave, and Dawud killed Jaloot…” [Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 251]
Look how simple Allah put it.
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The lesson here is to not be so busy with the results. Of course, all of us want good results for ourselves – but be more busy with the efforts. Put in the effort, do everything we can. And leave the result to Allah.
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Allah says: “(It will be said to the people in Paradise): This (all the things in paradise) is a reward for you. And your effort has been very much appreciated.” [Surah Al-Insan 76: 22]
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Your efforts, if they are sincere and don’t go against the shari’ah, are appreciated by Allah. He subhanahu wa ta’ala will give you the reward that you rightfully deserve.