'Ilm wal Hikmah(العلم و الحكمة)- Knowledge and Wisdom

Understanding and dealing with hardships

We all go through thick and thin. Nobody can claim or wish to be living an 'Alice in wonderland' life, for no one is deprived from hardships. But who would not like to get into the skin of Alice for a moment?. However, life is nothing akin to it and our purpose here is not to be living a fairy tale life but to pass a far greater test. And Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala (glorified and exalted be He) has never said that life will be too much to handle.

"It is He who has made you successors on the earth, and raised some of you in rank above others so that He may test you in respect to what He has given you. Indeed your Lord is swift in retribution, and indeed He is all-forgiving, all-merciful." (An-Anaam : 165).

During the moments of hardship where our vanity and anxiety would make tasks sturdy, we desperately wish for things to be different as we oft-times cannot see why things happen the way they do. However, Allah knows what is best for us and even during hardships we must say Alhamdulillah, as it acts as a cleanser that expiates our sins and purifies our heart. And Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala (glorified and exalted be He) does not inflict us with something that we cannot bear. He knows what is in our heart and He tests us according to our level of Imaan.

The prophet (SAW) said:
"Trials will continue to befall the believing man and woman with regard to themselves, their children and their wealth, until they meet Allah with no sins on them." [Tirmidhi- saheeh by al-Albaani]·

When Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala in His infinite wisdom tests us with a situation which we find difficult or takes away something that we think is good for us, that might not always be the case. If Allah does not grant us the thing that we want, do not be antagonise or depress about it or complain that Allah is not listening. Allah is always listening. Be patient and keep faith and trust Him. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala (glorified and exalted be He) will grant you something better in return for He is All-wise and All-knowing.

Allah says:

"...and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know." (Surah Baqarah : 216).

In another ayah, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala (glorified and exalted be He)  says:

"And when someone puts all his trust in Allah, He will be enough for him."

Let's assume that life was just in rose all the time. We would have never been bothered to get down onto our knees to our Sustainer and raise our hands to Him in humility. Therefore, Allah puts us to trials so that we can better our relationship with Him and to get closer to Him. Everything that happens, happens for the best, no matter what it is.

Ibn Taymiyah said:

"A calamity that makes you turn to Allah is better for you than a blessing which makes you forget the remembrance of Allah.

In our times of trouble when we go through pain and suffering, Allah has given us a weapon to make use of- Du'aa.

Du'aa is the biggest weapon a mu'min (believer) can use whenever he is afflicted with hardship. In other words, we need to seek help through patience and prayer as Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala (glorified and exalted be He) has commanded us through his ayah:

"And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah]". (Surah Baqarah: 45).

However we cannot believe nor assume that we are going to be surrounded only by hardships. There is always a light at the end of our dark tunnel. When we're encountered with difficulty, we will also be encountered with ease. An example could be where we may have lost a job which may have a detrimental impact upon our lives an on the other hand we have our good health which is a good thing. So, although something is at a pivotal point, there is still something positive on which we can have repose. One thing should be clear, that total happiness or total suffering lies in the Akhirah- it is either Jannah where we will be dwelling in total comfort or Jahannam where we will be in total agony.

Even the Prophets and Sahabah were not deprived from troubles. What they went through is nothing compared to what we go through. Yet they were firmed in their Imaan (faith), and sought help from Allah in perseverence and Sabr(patience). So, who are we, simple human beings that we are, not to be tested and assessed?

"The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allah loves a people He tests them. Whoever accepts that wins His pleasure but whoever is discontent with that earns His wrath."

The difficulties we face are a call for us to return to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala (glorified and exalted be He) and ask for forgiveness from Him and to raise our hands in supplications with humility.

Authors note:

Assalamou'alaikoum :). Hope you like this topic, in shaa Allah, and that it was somehow helpful. Let me know your thoughts in the commentary box below and don't forget to vote and share with your friends so that they can benefit from it as much as you've benefitted.