We have all come across the idiom “It just wasn’t in the cards” or the phrase “It wasn’t meant to be“.
Looking from an Islamic perspective, we all know that Allah (swt) has already planned our lives for us but that doesn’t mean we should stop praying for something we want as that will go against the whole concept of making Dua to our Rabb. We need to make an effort as Allah wants His servant to ask, He wants His servant to strive, He wants His servant to achieve goals rather than sitting back and not trying.
Salman al-Farsi narrated that the Prophet, peace & blessings be upon him, said:
“Nothing repels Divine Decree except dua, and nothing increases one’s life-span except good deeds.”
(At Tirmidhi).
If something is meant for us then Allah (swt) will open all the doors, one by one, that lead to it and if something is not meant for us He will close all the doors that lead to it. Our job is to be contented with Allah’s decision, easy said than done when our emotions are all over the place but that is the time to be patient and one day, we will thank Him for closing those doors that we desperately wanted to be opened at that time.
“O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.”
(Al Quran Chapter 2: Verse 153)