A man came to complain to a Sheikh saying: "I'm single, I want to get married but my income is too little that it wouldn't be able to cover the costs of rent alone. I have a mother to look after... so many doors have closed in my face.. I dont know what to do!!.. I'm helpless... please advise me!.."
The Sheikh replied: "Make Istighfār & have fear of Allāh".
The man said sarcastically: "How much will this Istighfār & taqwa get me if I cash it." Then he left...
Two years later a man dressed up professionally came up to the Sheikh and invited him over for iftaar...
He asked the Sheikh: "Do you remember me?... I am the one who disrespectfully said "How much will this Istighfār & taqwa get me if I cash them!"
The Sheikh then said: "Ah yes I remember .Well I see ur condition changed to the better..."
The man replied: "The advice u gave me hit me that day and& kept echoing in my head...I was an employee at a normal clothes shop... so I started to fear Allāh at my work, became honest in my dealings with people, praying on time. The boss at my work was very pleased with my honesty that he started to take my opinion in every matter... even when he was building a house he used to take my opinion in every detail with it... then when it was finished being built, he came up to me and told me that this house is urs and asked me to ask for his daughters hand in marriage.. so I did, & she accepted... & I became a manager of my own line of clothing stores... & here I am today... Alɧamdulillāh and thanks to ur advice!...
The Sheikh with a smile on his face said, "My son, this is not my advice... these are the words of Allāh Subhana wa Ta'ala ...
listen:
"I said (to them): 'Ask forgiveness from Your Lord; Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving; 'He will send rain to u in abundance; ' aиϑ give you increase in wealth and children, & bestow on u gardens & bestow on u rivers."
[Quran 71:10-12]
Also:
" Aиϑ whosoever fears Allah aиϑ keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). Aиϑ He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine." [Quran 65:2-3]
Subhaan Allah... truly the one who stays away from the rememberance of Allāh will have a depressed life. May Allāh have mercy on us all.
Aameen