There is a profound saying in Islam in which Allah says: “I am as My servant thinks I am.” This Hadith quadsi has always touched my heart because it reminds us that our perception of Allah matters deeply.

Do we believe He is merciful? Do we believe He is the opener of doors, the provider, the sustainer, the one who makes a way where there seems to be none? Or do we allow fear, doubt, and despair to cloud our trust in Him?

I believe Allah can do all things possible. I believe that no challenge is too difficult for Him, no hardship too great, and no situation beyond His power. This belief was tested in one of the most difficult periods of my life — a time when I faced potential homelessness in a foreign land.

Ironically, my situation was not caused by a lack of finances. I could absolutely afford to rent. The difficulty was securing a home.

Up until that point, I had rented without any issues. However, my landlord decided to sell the property. I was given first choice to purchase it, but I felt the asking price did not reflect the value of the property, plus without a doubt I was at some point returning to my beloved Bermuda hence I graciously declined, and so began what felt like an endless and emotionally exhausting house hunt.

I am convinced that I viewed at least 100 properties. Some were completely unsuitable, while others felt like my dream home. Yet, time after time, disappointment followed. Everything would appear promising until the final stages, only for the landlord to suddenly decide to sell rather than rent. I was let down at least a dozen times.

As the deadline to vacate approached, panic slowly crept in. Days turned into sleepless nights filled with worry and uncertainty. How could someone financially stable, responsible, and willing to pay rent end up unable to secure a place to live?

Then something shifted.

I remembered something my mother once told me. My mother had lived through tremendous challenges in life, yet she remained remarkably sweet, kind, and peaceful. I once asked her how she managed to stay so calm through difficulties. Her response was simple but powerful: “I take my challenges to God and leave them there. He works it out — maybe not in my time, but always in His time and always on time.”

Those words suddenly settled deep within my spirit. I decided to do exactly what my mother did. I took my housing crisis to Allah and left it with Him.

That did not mean I stopped searching. I still viewed properties, submitted applications, and prayed constantly for a breakthrough. But inwardly, something had changed. My heart began to settle.

My personal mantra became the sacred reassurance: “I am as My servant thinks I am.”

If Allah says He is as His servant believes Him to be, then I chose to believe He would make a way. I chose to believe that He would not abandon me. I chose to believe that He would sustain me wherever He led me.

Even as the end of the month drew near and there was still no confirmed lease, my heart remained strangely calm. I had only two days left before I had to vacate the property, yet peace replaced panic. I held firmly to the belief that Allah would not lead me somewhere He could not sustain me.

Then came what I can only describe as divine timing.

On the 30th day of the month — with only one day remaining before I had to leave — the estate agent called and said the words I had longed to hear: “The place is yours if you want it.”

Of course, I wanted it. “What favours of your Lord will you deny” Ar-Rahtawakkul (trust in Allah) and the Hadith “I am as My servant thinks of Me”.

Immediately, I made two rak‘ahs of gratitude and thanks to Allah. My heart overflowed with appreciation — not only to Allah but also to the family and friends who had been praying alongside me and for me.

When I finally sat in that apartment, I cherished it like gold. It represented more than shelter. It was proof that faith can triumph over fear, trust can overcome anxiety, and Allah’s timing is always perfect.

Indeed, Allah is who we believe Him to be. My Allah is an awesome God — great above all things, the opener of doors, and the one who never fails His servants.

When life feels uncertain, believe well of Allah. Trust Him. Do your part, pray unceasingly, and leave the rest in His Hands. He may not come in your time, but He is always on time.

Tawakkul (trust in Allah) and the Hadith “I am as My servant thinks of Me.” is all we need to believe.

Bermuda keep the faith, keep on believing and may your week be blessed.

As salaam alaikum (peace be unto you).

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam