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Optimism opens up new possibilities
It is wise to prepare the best you can, and then be optimistic about the outcome. Losing faith in one’s own abilities leads to nothing but ruin. When many of Talut’s soldiers lost courage before the battle, there were others who were optimistic about winning, and had complete faith in Allah’s help. 'How often a small group has overcome a large group by permission of Allah. And Allah is with the steadfast,' (2:249) they asserted. These true believers then prayed to Allah with utter conviction: 'Our Lord! Pour forth on us patience and make us victorious over the disbelieving people.' (2:250) They went on to win the battle.