As the season of high school results approaches, and the atmosphere is charged more with sorrow and tears than joy and laughter, comes advice such as: "Do not grieve, do not object to God's decree". They are confident that sadness and crying mean doubt, which is inconsistent with certainty.

When our prophet Jacob - peace be upon him - received the news of the death of his beloved son Joseph - peace be upon him - he didn't believe he was dead. He trusted in God's mercy, having faith in a meeting with his son, near or far, that would comfort his eyes. Despite this, he grieved deeply and cried until his eyes turned white. He combined deep sorrow for the separation and certainty in God's mercy.

This is with certainty and trust in God in a situation that has not been definitively resolved since he had not seen his son's body nor buried him. However, in the case of a final matter, when Ibrahim, the son of our prophet Mohammed - peace be upon him - died, he cried at his funeral until he was buried. This is proof that sadness does not contradict acceptance of God's decree. "Indeed, this is a mercy that God has upon his servants, and God only shows mercy to those of his servants who are merciful." The Prophet (pbuh) spoke the truth. Humans, in their inherent traits, are not to be blamed; they laugh in joy and cry in sorrow.

Fear of the future, fear of not receiving sustenance, is not due to a lack of trust in God, but a lack of confidence in our human ability to determine the amount of effort needed to reach the sustenance that God has written for each of his servants. Fear of the unknown, this is what makes high school and its authority in determining the field of study and future work so intimidating, it stimulates thought and keeps one awake, and no one has power over their unconscious except by remembrance and drawing closer to God.

The most beautiful thing to be said to a high school student or anyone else who is scared of the unknown about their future is what our prophet Mohammed - peace be upon him - said to his friend Abu Bakr in a moment of fear in the cave of Hira "Do not fear, indeed, God is with us." The style of prohibition here was not interpreted as prohibiting sorrow but as Prophet Mohammed's - peace be upon him - desire to help his friend and calm his fear, certain that God is their supporter. If God is with them, then who could be against them?