Is this a coincidence?

Question

I had been watching a house on the local real estate website for several months. I finally decided that I really wanted to persue it and I was going to try to convince my husband that we should buy it, but it was a little expensive for us at the time. I looked at it one last time and prayed before I went to bed by asking God to make it easy for us if it was something good for us and to keep it away from us if it was something bad. The next day I opened up the computer to show my husband, and I couldn't believe my eyes, for the price had been lowered overnight by $10,000! We bought it several weeks later. I swear this is completely true. So for those of you who don't believe in prayers being answered, how do you explain that one?

Hey Mr. UnPope-- that is hardly fair. This is my first home and 1400 sq. ft. and hardly a place for someone spoiled. But thank God it is mine.

Creepy Internet Guy- Even if I was "led" to this home, that does not negate the possibility that something bad may occur with the house later on. God sends tests to us in many forms. Our own children can be tests for us and drive us crazy at times. That doesn't mean they aren't a blessing.

UnPope- Of course I see your point. I am already relatively well off compared to other people in the world. Why would God want to help me, and not others, right? I would start by saying that God doesn't have to do either/or. All I can say is that a person's material situation is not what defines whether a person is truly blessed by God. Some of the richest people in the world are so spiritually bereft as to be miserable, while others who do not even know where their next meal is coming from live contentedly with a deep connection to their Creator.

Fifi- Good and bad things happen to all people, all the time. It becomes a special blessing when you seek and are answered. Just becasue you don't ask for something, doesn't mean you haven't been blessed with it, nontheless. Did you ask for your vision, hearing, sense of wonderment? All of these are blessings, even though you didn't ask for them.

spudmunkey- Perhaps in your town houses go down in increments of $10,000, but not here. From what I've seen it is more like $2-3000 at a time. My mother works in real estate and she was astonished. The price of the house was already low comparatively and taking $10,000 off was a very significant amount generally and for us as buyers. As Muslims, we do not believe in paying or receiving interest, so $10,000 was a big deal to us, as we paid cash. Itf it had not gone done as it did, I doubt if I could have convinced my husband to buy it.

Red Dragon- Thanks for sharing that. It shows that God is always there, and is the best of planners. May He give you wonderful, righteous children who are a blessing to you in this world and the next.

Jaicee- I understand your point about praying for material things. However, as Muslims, we believe that with any decision, whether for material gain or not, we should seek guidance through prayer. If I had woken up the next morning feeling clearly uneasy and negative about the house, I would have dropped the idea.

Alok- thank you for such kind words!

Thanks to all of you for your congratulations and thanks for giving me your opinions!

Answer 1

As long as you believe in Allah, your prayers will come true.

A similar incident happened to me few years ago, I was in love with someone who was 3 years older than me. She was trying to stay away from me because she knew that her Parents will not agree for us to get married. When she left me, I felt so sad and wished I could forgive her. I decided to go to her Parents anyway and ask to marry her, because to other woman was in my mind. I prayed at night )Istikhara Prayer) to forget her, which I doubted that it will happen. The next day, she was still on my mind when I went to work. I had to interview a girl on that day for a position in our organization. As soon as the girl came into the interviewing room, I felt chimistry between us. In a second I forgot all about the one I love. I ended up marrying the new girl and I love her now more than anything. She is now my wife and hoping she will be a Mum as soon as God grants us our wish.

Answer 2

The longer a house is on the market, the more likely the price will drop...and it usually drops in $10,000 incriments.

A similar thing happened to my parents when they sold their last house. They prayed that someone would buy their house for the asking price. No one did. It stayed on the market for 3 months, and finally sold to a single atheist who saw the last price drop.

BTW: a $10,000 difference was too high to consider? That would have added at most $50 a month to a, minimun, $1000 house payment...seems like that price difference would have been negligible for a house you really wanted.

I explain it the same way I would explain most of all of my own prayers going unanswered when I was a young christian, serving mass, singing in the choir, etc. I find my prayers are answered in about the same 50/50 ratio now that I pray to Joe Pesci. Why Joe Pesci? He just seems like someone who can get things done.

Answer 3

I am a believer and I pray. That being said, in all fairness, the folks here who choose coincidence are justified. I choose it. Prayer is readjustment of our inner being to accept the will of AllahGod whatever that will is. Maybe you'll think I'm rude, but praying for material possessions, good grades, a prestigious job, etc., I think, needs re-examination. For lovers of the Source of All Being isn't what we really want is for our lives to be in conformity with Allah's/God's will because we trust Allah'sGod's absolute love for us and know that nothing will ever be wrong with that will, although we may not like it in the beginning? Whatever life gives us, we respond to that in full knowledge that we will learn from it an be empowered by it when we readjust our inner life to see the reality of that situation or condition. Regardless, it's great that you got the house you love. Congratulations!

Answer 4

Congrats on the home. But how do you know that this is good? What if something horrible happens or it turns out to be built on a swamp - does god still lead then? I think it's a bit early to say that godidit.

Answer 5

In this case, I don't think it's coincidence or the prayers. Home prices nationally are taking a dive. It's a buyers market meaning almost everyone is lowering their prices. You keep trying though!

Answer 6

How do you know the outcome wouldn't be the same if you hadn't prayed? Do you have any proof it was caused by your prayer?

As an agnostic, I wouldn't say whether it was a coincidence or not but I do want to see both sides of the argument.

Answer 7

It had been on the market for six months and the people who were selling it had decided to lower the price to sell it just when you had decided to pray. I have had things like that happen to me, but I didn't pray. So, how do you explain that.

Answer 8

Allhamdulilah, congratulations on the house, when's the house warming party?

Answer 9

I don't believe in prayers, houses go down all the time.

I'm glad you got the house you wanted, congratulations : )

Answer 10

Cogratulations. You can be sure that God does not make mistakes. Only God knows the ending, so ignore doubters.