🚧 When You Want to Do Good But Can't

25th Muharram 1447H

Assalamu'alaikum,

You refresh your news feed for the fifteenth time. Another video from Gaza. Another death toll. Another reminder that despite your university degree, your comfortable salary, and your access to information, you can do absolutely nothing meaningful to help. This crushing weight has a name in Arabic: 'Ajz.

'Ajz is often translated as "deficiency" or "incapacity," but these translations barely capture what this feeling really means. It's not kasal (laziness); when you're lazy, you want to do something but don't feel like it. 'Ajz is when you want to act but feel utterly powerless to do so, whether due to personal circumstances (lack of money, time, resources) or external barriers (politics, distance, systemic limitations).

The Crushing Weight of 'Ajz

‘Ajz manifests in countless ways throughout our daily lives. Think about these scenarios:

• You want to care for your aging parents, but you live in a different country.

• You have a great business idea that could serve the Ummah, but lack the capital to start

• You want to run and get healthy, but an injury prevents you.

How do you maintain hope and purpose when you feel deficient in your ability to do good?

The Prophet's ﷺ Experience with 'Ajz

What gives me comfort is remembering that even our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ experienced something resembling 'ajz during the Meccan period.

For thirteen years, he watched his companions tortured and killed. He saw Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) dragged across burning sand. He witnessed Yasir and Sumayyah (may Allah be pleased with them) murdered for their faith. He watched families torn apart and believers humiliated.

In those moments, what could he do? He was one man against an entire system of oppression. He couldn't stop the torture. He couldn't prevent the deaths. He couldn't overthrow the powerful tribal structure overnight.

Yet he never despaired. He continued his mission with patience, knowing that Allah's plan unfolds in His timing, not ours.

The transformation didn't happen overnight. It took thirteen years of apparent 'ajz before the Hijra to Madinah opened new possibilities. But those weren't wasted years, they were years of building character, gathering sincere followers, and laying the foundations for our Ummah.

Three Islamic Responses to 'Ajz

When we feel the weight of 'ajz, Islam offers us a clear roadmap:

1. Never Despair in Allah's Mercy

Allah SWT says: "And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except for those who are astray?" (Quran 15:56)

The moment we think, "What's the point? I can't do anything," we're stepping dangerously close to despair. This is exactly what Shaytaan wants; give up entirely because we can't do anything meaningful.

We see this with Gaza; a lot of people who were passionate about Gaza when this whole situation started now feel quite helpless and have reached a place of despair.

2. Seek Refuge from 'Ajz

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ regularly made this dua: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, helplessness (‘ajz) and laziness (kasal), miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from being overpowered by men." (Bukhari)

Notice that he specifically sought protection from 'ajz. This teaches us that feeling deficient is a spiritual challenge we should actively resist through dua and reliance on Allah.

3. Act Within Your Capacity

The Prophet ﷺ taught us that if we see the Day of Judgment starting and in the hands of one of us is a date palm tree, let him plant it. Imagine the feeling of helplessness when we see the Day of Judgment starting, yet we're taught to do what we can within our capacity.

Practical Strategies for Overcoming 'Ajz

Let me return to the examples I mentioned earlier and explore how we can transform 'ajz into action:

Can't visit your parents due to distance?

• Schedule regular video calls at consistent times.

• Coordinate with local family members or neighbors to check on them.

• Send thoughtful gifts or hire services to support them.

• During every prayer, make dua for them.

Can't start that business due to lack of capital?

• Use this time to refine your business plan and strategy.

• Build relevant skills through online courses or mentorship.

• Network with potential partners or investors

• Start a smaller version of your idea to test the concept.

Injured and can't run?

• Focus on upper body strength training or swimming.

• Use the time to study proper running technique and nutrition.

• Help coach or mentor other runners

• Develop a comeback plan with your physical therapist.

Feeling helpless about Gaza, Sudan, and global suffering?

• Raise awareness through social media and conversations

• Donate whatever amount you can afford to reputable charities.

• During the blessed times, make consistent dua for the oppressed.

• Educate your children about these issues so they grow up caring about them.

One thing I learnt is that when we try to tackle 'Ajz, it often forces us to think more creatively and broadly about how we can overcome our helplessness.

The Long-Term Perspective

Sometimes our 'ajz won't disappear overnight, and that's part of Allah's wisdom.

The Prophet ﷺ couldn't transform Mecca immediately, but those thirteen years of apparent limitation prepared him and his community for the eventual victory. 

Your current limitations might be preparing you for future opportunities you can't yet imagine. The financial constraints your business is facing today might be teaching you resourcefulness that will make you a better entrepreneur tomorrow. The ‘Ajz our Ummah feels towards Gaza today, might be the painful wake up call our Ummah needed to wake up from its long slumber.

Your struggle with 'ajz isn't a sign of failure; it's a sign of a heart that cares deeply about doing good.

Keep planting seeds, even in difficult soil. Keep making dua. Keep taking whatever small steps are available to you.

May Allah SWT remove all forms of 'ajz from our lives and our Ummah. Ameen.

Sincerely,