As part of our Islamic faith, we believe that all matters are in the hands of Allah. However,
for some of us our faith can get shaken during times of trials and hardships. It is during those times though that we should remind ourselves that a believer’s position and rank is raised in front of Allah and that such a hardship may very well be a sign of Allah’s love for the believer. This can help us in maintaining and even strengthening our faith.
Great Rewards Associated with Great Calamities
Al-Mumit (The Destroyer, The Bringer of Death) – Allah’s Name
It was narrated from Anas ibn Malik that the Prophet (S) said:
“Great reward comes with great trials. When Allah loves a people, He tests them, and whoever accepts it attains His pleasure, whereas whoever shows discontent with it incurs His wrath.” Narrated and classed as hasan by at-Tirmidhi (2396); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in as-Silsilah as-Saheehah, no. 146
In this hadith, we find that the prophet (s) has provided a message of relief for those who endure difficulties with patience. He also associated greatness of difficulties and calamities with higher rewards. So, enduring through lighter problems and challenges has a smaller reward than enduring greater difficulties and challenges. Given that this life has its share of challenges and difficulties for all, Allah has provided an opportunity of high rewards for those who endure these challenges with patience rather than with complaints and ingratitude. And for those who show displeasure and discontent with Allah’s decree end up in a lose-lose situation because not only they have to live through their current suffering but also incur Allah’s wrath for their displeasure and discontent with His decree.
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We should also realize that our patience when facing difficulties raises our status in front of Allah, and may lead to the forgiveness of our sins. He says in the Quran:
“…Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning” Quran (Surah Az-Zumar:10)”
The Prophet (S) said:
“Nothing befalls a believer, a (prick of a) thorn or more than that, but Allah will raise him one degree in status thereby, or erase a bad deed.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5641) and Muslim (2573).
Al-Muntaqim (The Avenger) – Allah’s Name
The Messenger (S) said in a well known hadith the following:
“How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for his affairs are all good, and this applies to no one but the believer. If something good happens to him, he is thankful for it and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience and that is good for him.” (Narrated by Muslim, 2999).
We should also realize that when Allah puts His steadfast believers through trials and tribulations, that is a sign of His love for them. It was narrated that Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“If Allah wills good for His slave, He hastens his punishment in this world, and if He wills bad for His slave, He withholds from him (the punishment for) his sin, until He requites him for it on the Day of Resurrection.” Narrated and classed as hasan by at-Tirmidhi (2396); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh at-Tirmidhi.
Al-Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Do not resent the calamities that come and the disasters that occur, for perhaps in something that you dislike will be your salvation, and perhaps in something that you prefer will be your doom.”
Al-Fadl ibn Sahl said: “There is a blessing in calamity that the wise man should not ignore, for it erases sins, gives one the opportunity to attain the reward for patience, dispels negligence, reminds one of blessings at the time of health, calls one to repent and encourages one to give charity.”
Al-Muqaddim (The Expediter, He Who Brings Forward) – Allah’s Name
Calamities and Problems – Trials or Punishment?
We also know that some who face difficulties are punished for their sins. So, one may wonder how to distinguish whether a person is being simply tested by Allah or being punished for one’s sins. In this context, scholars have said that “(as Allah knows a person beforehand), the sign of calamity by way of punishment shows as signs of impatience and ingratitude in a person when a calamity befalls, and the sign of calamity by way of expiation and erasing of sins shows as contentment, acceptance, and patience in accepting the will of Allah until relief comes.”
Furthermore, if the one who is affected shows displeasure and panic, then it cannot be thought that his calamity is an honor from Allah to raise him in status, because Allah, may He be glorified, knew that he would not be patient and accept it with contentment. So in this case it is most likely that it is a requital and punishment.
Also, if the Muslim is a devoted worshipper, obedient and righteous, and there is nothing between him and Allah but true ‘uboodiyyah (servitude), gratitude, praise, repentance and submission to Him, may He be glorified, then it is most likely that this calamity is a kind of honor and raising in status, and people are the witnesses of Allah on earth. If they know him to be righteous, then they may give him the glad tidings of raised status before Allah if he is patient in bearing the calamity. (source: islamqa.info)
Regarding difficulties, in the following verse Allah compares the situation of the one who is steadfast in his faith and facing difficulties with those who are evil doers and are in a similar situation:
“… if you are suffering (hardships) then surely, they (too) are suffering (hardships) as you are suffering, but you have a hope from Allah (for the reward) that for which they hope not; and Allah is Ever All-Knowing, All-Wise” Quran (Surah An-Nisa:104).
So, a true believer can face his difficulties with a positive state of mind hoping for rewards from Allah and such an attitude can provide true relief and happiness. Besides, if Allah lifts this calamity from the believer and saves him from the torment, then that can double the reward and happiness. Allah says in the Quran:
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- “… and give glad tidings to As-Sabirun (the patient).”
- Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: “Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.”
- They are those on whom are the Salawat (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones. Quran (Surah Al-Baqara:155-157)
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Jazza-kallah dear brothers.This is a very useful to many Muslims who have misconceptions about challenges that they face.
Great insight!
May the Lord give us the patient fortitude to comfort in His Mighty Willl; Amen!
Assalamakum. I am sure knowing what are those people feeling bad sufferings for more patience for their sins to fear of Allah. Allah will know why unbelievers are not happy though pray for Allah from their bad deeds till they calm to forgive for Allah. Allah cant help unbelievers never care themselves while others are believers useful living to be difficulties in the pain of feelings
Hi,
Thanks for the wise words. It really helps especially when
one questions so many things today. These words give
me hope and comfort. Thanks again.
eddy
Subhanallah! Praise be to Allah(SWT). Surely it is He who knows and we do not. We may think that something is good for us but instead it might be our downfall. So thats why we believers should keep our faiths strong and never question Allah.
Let this be a lesson that in the future we should take the calamity He has bestowed upon us in a way of appreciation.
May Allah bless us with patience and perseverance.
Ameen!!!
Jazakumallah Khyier, very nice and applicable article to be considered by all Muslims during hardship.
Regards,
JazakAllah Khair for throwing light on what should be a true Muslim’s attitude to calamity. With so many different theories put forward by any number of people, it becomes easy to get disheartened by calamities and express displeasure, discontentment or lose hope with life. When an Islamic scholar was asked by someone how he can know whether the difficulty was a punishment for his sin or a test of his faith, the reply given was something to this effect – See what effect it has on you. If it brings you closer to Allah it’s a test of patience, but if it distances you from Allah you can conclude that it is a punishment for your sin.
May Allah Grant us all Muslims to bear with the trials of life with grace, dignity and total trust in Him Rabbul Aalameen – Aameen!
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakathuhu
Jazakaallah hu Khaira, I had always question in my heart about hardship , through this article i got answer and inshallah will consider same in my life during hardship.
JazakAllah Khair for sharing with us. These are wonderful reminders to mankind. Lucidly presented, and easy to comprehend.
Very valuable & informative article
Jazakumullahu khairan for this beautiful post. When a muslim is being faced with hardships, Allah has given us solutions to them. He says “O ye who believe! Seek help with Allah with patience and Solats( du’a). Indeed Allah is with those who are patient”. May Allah Allah grant us Sabr during the time of calmities.
Allahamdulillah this is an enormous revelation to me, it has been some kind of confirmation or better still explanation to what my family and i are going through, inshaAllah am reliefed. May Allah(SWT) bless you. I encourage my fellow muslims to try to forward this to as many people as possible. May Allah reward us and forgive us our sins. Ameen.
Wallahi this article is very very important to most of us who lack patience at times of such scenarios:though these trials comes on a challenging manner,but we have to accept it. May Allah grant us patience so as we achieve His lovely reward – jannatul Firdaus.
alhamdullilah its a very nice article.
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakathuhu
JazakAllah Khair for your IQRA SENSE.COM
and give glad tidings to As-Sabirun (the patient).”
Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: “Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.”
They are those on whom are the Salawat (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones. Quran (Surah Al-Baqara:155-157)
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Allah is Great. Thank you for sharing this
Thank you so much for sharing this. May Allah always bless us both dunya and afterlife, aamiin.
Jazakallahu khair. Allahu Akbar! Islam z so amazing n Allah z indeed with the sabirun (patient). I was so much depressed in the middle of the night n failed to sleep, so all I deed was to put myself together n perform ablution, do salat tauba n repent sincerely with a firm belief that I shall b forgiven n there z still hope for the best. Al hamdu I got a beautiful dua below
“O Allah, the soother of worry and grief, Granter of prayer of the helpless people, the Giver of mercy and grace in this world and the hereafter. You alone can have true mercy on me. so favour me in a way that I may no longer stand in need of the kindness of others”
I actually felt a great relief within myself coz I was sure I am talking to my Maker, so tears showered my cheeks and I was like “Al hamdu Lillah”
The presentation is highly educative and enlightening. Jazakum llahu khaeran for your humble service to create more awareness to the entire universe.
In time of difficulty we should ask forgiveness from Allah SWT for our sins and should read ‘Astagfirullah’ and also read dua prophet Younas AS’ liilaha inta subhanaka ini kunto minzalamin’