A Question About Signs from Allah for Those Still Searching
Salam, everyone. I'm coming here with a story that's really personal and maybe a bit different. I was raised with Christian teachings from my mom, but it never fully clicked with me; I've mostly felt uncertain or agnostic. My grandfather, though, was from Afghanistan and came to the US a long time ago on a scholarship. He faced so much prejudice being Afghan and Muslim that he had to change his name and leave a lot behind just to find work. He never pushed Islam on me because of what he went through, but he taught me bits about Muslim values and always identified as Muslim in private. He basically raised me like a father, and honestly, he was the kindest soul I've ever known-he lived by what I now understand are Quranic principles. He passed away two years back, and it broke me completely. I had to take a whole semester off school because I was just crying all day, not eating, and the grief even triggered an autoimmune issue. I felt so lost, like without him-my father figure-there was no point in going on. After another couple days of not eating, I ordered some food as a kind of 'last meal' before seriously thinking about leaving this world, since I was already dealing with health problems and school stress. For days, I'd been begging God, or the universe, or anyone listening, for a sign that he was in a better place or that there's something after death. When I finally forced myself out of bed and opened my front door, there was a copy of the Quran sitting on my doorstep. I'd never seen one in person before, and I live in an area with almost no Muslims. It was 'The Clear Quran,' and I still keep it on my shelf. In that moment, I felt a peace I'd never experienced-like things would be okay. I ate my food and just stared at it. Two years have gone by, and I haven't opened it yet, partly because I don't know what to think. How would you interpret this if it happened to you? I'm seeking some guidance, since signs are talked about a lot in Christianity, but I'm unsure how Islam views something like this. It didn't feel like a coincidence; it felt like a divine nudge. This is now my second Ramadan, and I fast each year to honor him, because I feel a deep need to. I'm still figuring everything out, but that moment stays with me. Jazakallah khair for listening.