To my worried sister...(chatbox)

I was looking at my stats just now - someone googled 

"does Allah make the decision of my GCSE exam results"

and ended up on my blog. When I read this, I really pleaded if there was any way of tracking this sister (I'm assuming). After flicking through possibilities in my mind, I concluded there was no way of finding an email address or anything and they may never visit my blog again so writing a post for them may not have a point.

I continued my browsing and checking of emails etc.

Five minutes later I found an offline message from the chatbox on the right hand side of your screen (: , someone had posted:

[18:57] meeboguest2265d55: Salam i was just reading your blog and i think it is amazing what your doing also I just wannted to ask you a question if allah choses the results in your exsam you get and pleases will you pray for my inshallh  

This made me say Alhamdulillah!!! I was so happy that I have found a way of replying to this sister (again, I'm assuming - sorry). Allah works in weird and wonderful, absolutely WONDERFUL ways! :D SubhanAllah! Allahu Akbar (I'm really happy!:) )

So here it is:

Wa alaykum salaam, 

I don't want to come across patronising or annoying - but I actually completely understand how you're feeling.

I remember this time last year when the reality of upcoming exams was... scary. It really was - and exam results  were even more daunting.

Let me get straight to the point and answer - Yes. Allah controls everything in the world and beyond. Everything we see and do not see. Allah knows all. He knows what is best for us - what isn't good for us.

He is All-Knowing and Omnipotent - meaning He can do aaanything and everything :)! SubhanAllah what an enlightening thought. The owner of existence and controller of all reality controld my life and every fortune and misfortune which may enter it. This is beautiful because of one reason - He is with you. He is also the Most Merciful and His Mercy will outweigh His wrath. He is Loving. He loves you more than a mother loves her child (that's a lottta love!)

If you pray to Him, He will do what's Best For You.

Personally, from my own experience I think three things will help you achive success:

1) Remember Why?

What's your aim for wanting to get the grades you want. Is there anything you want to acomplish in the future? Do you like to learn? Do you want to see that smile on the beaming faces of your parents? Do you want to feel like you can do somthing - you can acomplish something? Whatever the underlying reaosn for wanting to do well is: hold onto it. Now think, am I doing this for Allah? I've found when you do something purely for the Sake of Allah - whatever result emerges is blessed, subhanAllah.

2) Pray! You Need Him!!

This is self explanatory, no. Make Dua. And keep making Dua. Whatever happens - keep persisting in making that dua. Listen to this for a tear-jerking experience which truly makes you realise the power of dua!!

3) Believe You Can Do It...

Sounds cliché - but self belief is important. You have to believe that you are capable, with the will of Allah, to achieve the grades you want. Part of this self-belief gives you energy to persist. When you've been revising all day - you really canno tbe bothered to factorise any mroe equations because the quadratics formula doesn't want to merge in your mind? The self-belief kicks in and tells you "Hey you! You can actually do this so get yo' head down and work it out...you can do this!!"

Look, please don't worry about your GCSEs. It seems like the busiest, most 'stressful' time of your life...but trust me, please trust me when I say that it's not all that bad. :)

Revising with a friend can help, testing each other every now and then - when it gets warmer you can take walks around your neighbourhood, get some fresh air.

Most of all - I want to urge you to LIVE. It can be easy to be wrapped up in a knot of stress come GCSE's but you're young - free - happy (inshaAllah). Now is your time, honey.

Please, please contact me (via the chatbox, leave an email address or ask for mine) if you need any help with revising or if you do get stressed out or worried or anxious or even just to say Hi and how you're getting on.

Hoping you smile,

TheSisterWhoSmiles:)

P.S. Of course I will make dua for you! Al-Fatiha!! <3