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:
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:
·
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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