Diary Of A Muslim Girl

Part.18 (The nature of difficulties)

Being in a difficulty does NOT mean you are doomed or that you are less than anybody in anyway. Being in ease does NOT mean that you are off the hook or that you are better than anybody in anyway.
We are all being tested through difficulty AND ease.

Allah says: "And as for man, when his Lord tries him and [thus] is generous to him and favors him, he says, "My Lord has honored me." But when He tries him and restricts his provision, he says, "My Lord has humiliated me." No!" (Qur'an 89: 15-17)
The message is that both difficulty and ease are tests. Do not be deluded by whatever ease you might think others have. We do not know how they may be performing in their test. We do not know their rank or results. While being in a difficulty, you may be in a much higher rank than they are, and you may be excelling and receiving the aid and blessing of Allah and His Angels in ways that you can't imagine.

So don't judge by outer appearances or let this be a source of depression for you.

Actually, the difficulty -in and of itself- could be a sign of your high rank and status with your Creator. How come? Because the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) was asked which people are the most severely tested? He replied: 'The Prophets, then the next best and the next best. A person is tested according to his religious commitment. If he is steadfast in his religious commitment, he will be tested more severely, and if he is frail in his religious commitment, his test will be according to his commitment. Trials will continue to afflict a person until they leave him walking on the earth with no sin on him.'" [Sunan Ibn Majah]

What do we take from that?

Even the Prophets and most noble, most righteous and most virtuous people have severe difficulties. This is not a reason to be depressed. This is a reason to know that you are strong enough to handle what others might not be able to handle. Knowing of your strength and potential, Allah gave you this test accordingly.

Why?

Because the toughest tests are given to the best performers. You will not find a teacher giving a PhD exam to a kindergarten student. Right? The exam is given to those who can handle it, those who have the knowledge and ability to work hard, achieve great results and later help and inspire others through their example and what they've learned.
Some people wonder why good people may have major calamities.

Well, they are indeed very good people. That's why they've been chosen for this. Allah [swt] doesn't charge a soul more than it can handle, and He knows they can get through this situation even better and more beautiful as human beings with reflections, understandings, experiences and knowledge that not only illuminate their hearts, but the hearts and minds of many others around them who look up to them and learn from them...

Some of the most beautiful realities emerge from some of the most excruciatingly painful moments. If you don't believe this, then just contemplate on the process of giving birth to a child. The pain, the long days/months of waiting and adjusting, the mood swings...

If the woman didn't know that after this suffering there will be light, there will be love and there will be a gift... maybe she wouldn't have endured. Right?
But she knew there will be relief.

We too know that there will be relief! This is the promise of Allah that is true!
"For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease." (Qur'an 94: 5-6)
"[It is] the promise of Allah. Allah does not fail in His promise, but most of the people do not know." (Qur'an 30: 6)

This is something to remember always when facing hardships or feelings of despair and depression.

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