What does 'Baqarah 216' say?

Arda Güler is a young kid. 

Born in 2005, he is a Fenerbahçe footballer.

He plays for Real Madrid, which has a value of approximately one and a half billion dollars and nearly two hundred million fans.

The celebration move he made after scoring a goal recently was widely discussed.

“The meaning of my goal celebration is based on 'tawakkul' (trust in God); I believe that everything comes from Allah,” he said.

Hearing these words, some turning points in my own life came to mind.

Years ago, I had become a civil engineer, completed my master's degree in America, traveled, had fun, and worked. 

I had returned to Istanbul.

I had some dollars in my pocket.

I was in high spirits.

I was staying at the home of a very close friend I had studied with at university.

His late father, İsmet Çelik, a contractor who built the most solid residences in the Kadıköy-Suadiye region, said, "They are expecting you at STFA tomorrow." 

For those who don't know: It is the first Turkish construction firm to carry out international construction projects; a massive engineering-contracting firm that built the Misrata Port in Libya in the 1970s, a construction company like a school where you could only get a job with excellent references, beyond your technical capabilities.

"May he live a long life, General Manager Altok Kurşun will hire you," he said.

When I went to see Mr. Altok, he gave me a brief interview and then told me to start work tomorrow at the Gebze-Çayırova Organized Industrial Zone, Infrastructure Construction Site.

He added, “İsmet brother called, I cannot turn him down.”

I returned to my friend's house with joy.

In the evening, we had dinner with Uncle İsmet and my friend's contractor uncle.

Whatever happened, happened that evening.

The uncle persuaded me, and instead of a world-class firm like STFA, we started working at a local-scale contracting firm.

Of course, I could only endure it for 3-5 months and immediately started looking for a new job.

Then, when a friend from America offered, "Would you work at Eskişehir Anadolu University, Department of Civil Engineering?" I immediately quit my job and moved to the university.

I worked breathlessly for 25 years.

If I had been at STFA, I don't think I would have had any intention of quitting or moving to the university.

Except for the interference of those from Pennsylvania, I had very beautiful memories.

I loved academic life and Anadolu University very much.

Books, projects, publications, students, conferences.

Looking at this picture, it is very clear that I worked with love. 

What did Baqarah 216 say?

It may be that you dislike a thing, while it is good for you, and it may be that you love a thing, while it is evil for you. 

Allah knows, and you do not know.

Even when those from Pennsylvania descended upon us like a nightmare in universities, we tried to find solace and catch our breath by saying, "The Almighty Allah knows something."

In some situations that we cannot technically solve, where the algorithm gives an error, let Baqarah 216 come to your mind.

Stay well.