What If Your Car Broke Down in the Middle of the Road?

Two tools to stay balanced in any storm of life.

Yesterday morning, we made a plan—weekly grocery purchases. Since school’s off this week, I thought it’d be nice to rent a car, make it a little outing together.

Affaan wanted to join me to pick up the rental car we had booked. Affaan was so excited to sit in the front seat with me, as he usually rides in the back in his car seat.

We set off to pick up Thasni and Aafiyah at home. Barely a kilometer in, the car started jerking, making strange noises, and warning lights flashing everywhere. Then it just... stopped.

Affaan panicked and started to cry, thinking I had crashed the car. I focused on calming him down. Thankfully, I managed to pull the car off the main road to ensure we were safe and not blocking traffic.

I immediately called the rental company, and they assured me that help would arrive in 10 minutes. Long story short, I waited for two hours for assistance! I had to keep calling them repeatedly, my emotions were all over the place, and I even raised my voice at one point. Subhanallah.

When everything was finally sorted out, I walked home and reflected on the experience.

1. What did Allah teach me during those last two hours?

2. Could I have responded in a better way to please Allah SWT in this situation?

The answer to the first question was addressed in this post: Think of Allah’s timing.

Today, I want to focus on the second point. How would I respond better to please Allah SWT?

When it happened, I was a bit anxious, especially as I did not know what was happening. I was trying multiple things in the beginning. I have called the agency, and I wanted to get help as soon as possible. I did not like the way it was handled. I spoke roughly at one point. Throughout two hours, my emotions were going up and down..

But during those two hours, something else was also true.

The car had broken down safely to the side. Nothing dangerous happened. We were close to home. Thasni was able to come and pick up Affaan, so he didn’t have to wait with me the whole time. I wasn’t blocking anyone’s way. And eventually, the assistance came. They towed the car in minutes. I walked home, safe and healthy. Alhamdulillah.

Did I notice all those blessings during those two hours? Honestly, not really. My mind was busy trying to “fix” the situation as soon as possible. But what if I had focused on the blessings, expressed my gratitude to Allah SWT, stayed calm, controlled how I spoke, slowed my heart rate, and reminded myself that this too was within Allah’s perfect timing?

Subhanallah—life throws little breakdowns like this at us all the time. And often, the blessings hiding inside them outnumber the problem itself. But we miss them.

It made me realize: every moment in life is an opportunity to respond in a way that pleases Allah. The sixth pillar of faith is believing that everything happens by Allah’s Divine Decree, good or bad.

I thought to myself, there are only two ways to respond to anything that happens in life: with Gratitude (shukr) and with Patience (sabr).

Be truly grateful in good times, and recognize the blessings even in the hard times. Practice sabr when things go wrong—do what I can, but trust Allah with the outcome.

If I do that, I win in both situations!
May Allah keep us steadfast and help us respond in ways that bring us closer to Him.

The Prophet Muhammed (ﷺ) said:

“Amazing is the affair of the believer, verily all of his affair is good and this is not for no one except the believer. If something of good befalls him he is grateful and that is good for him. If something of harm befalls him he is patient and that is good for him” (Sahih Muslim)

So how do we do that—respond in a way that pleases Allah—in these situations?

By developing a habit of knowing Allah SWT more and more, every single day.

“Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is, over all things, Disposer of affairs.” [39:62]

When we understand that Allah is in control—and we are not—it changes how we respond to life. It will keep us focused and centered, and connected to the One who alone deserves it: Allah SWT.

Set aside just one hour a day to learn about Allah. Quran time, choose a book, a YouTube channel, a podcast—whatever works for you—and commit to it for a month. May Allah increase us in beneficial knowledge, and keep our hearts firm and sincere in pleasing Him in this short life.

When we got home, Affaan was so happy to see me. I asked him, “What happened, Affaan?”
He said, “Allah protected us.”

Subhanallah. That could be a life lesson for him and me. That in every hardship, every fear, every moment of uncertainty—Allah is sufficient, and Allah protects.

Maybe those two hours were more than a delay—they were a gift. A chance to learn, to reflect, and to remember who’s really in charge.

We know so little. But Allah SWT is All-Knowing.
Alhamdulillah for everything.

Sincere Duáas
Haneef

---

🧭 Looking for a solid framework to balance your life roles — without losing your connection to Allah?
This is your moment.

✨ Join the TaQwa Minds Masterclass 2.0 today — at the lowest price ever offered — for a lifetime.
💸 Join us today for just 199 Euros — and unlock a transformational journey worth 2,100 Euros.
🛎️ Today is the final community giveaway before the next cohort begins.

🔑 Use code at checkout: taqwalife25
📍 Offer ends: Tonight at 11:59 PM CET
🔗 Enroll here: TaQwa Minds Masterclass 2.0