Ups and Downs Jacket

Inspired by the names of Al Raafi and Al Hafid 

Bismillah,

In these two names are a harmony of astounding beauty.

Al Hafid; with the arabic root of Kha-fa-dad derives the connotation: to lower, weaken, make humble, depress, abase.

Al Raafi; from the root ra-fa-ayn deriving the connotation: to make high, ro exalt, to make honorable, to bring nearer,

In our paths in life we often find ourselves in polarized situations. As we walk upon this earth we find that one day may be for us and one day may be against us. For the believer these situations are only moments in time to test ones faith.

Suhaib reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said:

Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer for if he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (God), thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is a good for him in it.

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri and Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (a) said, "No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that."

[Sahih al-Bukhari 5641]

From this viewpoint of of understanding, we connect our situations directly to Allah.

In these two names of his 99 names and attributes, we can connect and can deepen the understanding of our altering states of being. Sifting to find wisdom and truth in every situation. He Ta’Ala is Ar-Raafi(The Exalter) and Al-Khafid(The Reducer), But for the believer it is all the same. The muslim understands that to be deprived of anything or to be blessed with more is only a test from his creator and a means of which he can gain closeness and reward from him Ta’Ala.

These pants paint the image of the ups and downs we go through, some having bright color and importance while others are simple and just a part of the whole picture. In the end it is all a part of the same piece, that being life, and a part of the challenges and changes we experience on this path to achieving truth and understanding in Islam.