A Lesson in Wisdom and Amanah
Jan 08, 2026
I popped into the town centre a couple of days ago, carrying a heavy box that I bought from a nearby store. It dragged along the ground, making an awful noise. Almost instinctively, I lifted it not because it was better for me, but because I felt people were looking.
Perhaps disturbed. Perhaps judging.
Not long after, two brothers passed by and greeted me with Salam. They paused, noticed the strain, and asked why I wasn’t using the wheels on the bag. I replied honestly: it was noisy… and I thought others were looking or are disturbed.
They smiled and said something that stayed with me:
“Carry the box in a way that protects your health. Don’t carry it in a way that carries people’s opinions.”
In that moment, I realised how often we do this in life: lifting unnecessary weight, straining ourselves, and altering our path not because it is better or healthier, but because of how we imagine others see us.
A Trust to Protect
True focus is not about silencing every sound or pleasing every passer-by. It is about striving wisely and protecting what Allah has entrusted (Amanah) to us.
The Qur’an constantly redirects our gaze away from the "noise" of people and back to the Creator:
“So remain steadfast as you have been commanded.” (Surah Hud 11:112)
Steadfastness is not about appearing perfect. It is about walking the path Allah has set for us with wisdom, balance, and care for the trusts He has placed in our lives: our bodies, our hearts, and our wellbeing.
Remember: “Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear.” (Surah al-Baqarah 2:286). If Allah has given you "wheels" to make your burden lighter, do not cast them aside to satisfy the eyes of people.
The "Wise Path" 3-Day Challenge
For the next 3 days, stop asking “What will they think?” and start asking “What does Allah ask of me in this moment?”
- Day 1: Audit the Noise. Identify one thing you are doing just to "look right" to others. Is it straining your spirit?
- Day 2: Use the Wheels. Utilise a boundary or a tool (like saying 'no' or asking for help) that makes your burden manageable.
- Day 3: Audience of One. Make one decision today based solely on what is healthy and pleasing to your Rabb, regardless of the "noise" it makes.
People will always look. Opinions will always pass. But your body, your heart, and your Amanah deserve your care. Sometimes the most faithful choice is not the quietest one, but the wisest one. The noise of the wheels on the pavement is temporary. The health of the one pulling the bag is what lasts for the journey.
What is one situation ahead where you can choose the wisest path, even if it isn't the most socially pleasing one?
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