“I laugh at the person who hopes for this world and at the same time death is seeking him, the person who neglects the death but the death does not neglect him, and the person who laughs with his mouth full of laughter without knowing if his Lord is angry or satisfied with him.”
(az-Zuhd, p. 225, by Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal)
It may always seem that as one trial or test ends, another swiftly comes to take its place. We feel sad, angry and hopeless; in reality we should feel prepared for these tests. The real test is what we do when this trial arrives at our doorstep. Do we lose all hope and give in to our own desires, or do we strive to become patient and make du’a? It may seem easier said than done; one person cannot possibly understand the pain or worry that another feels due to any problem they may be going through, but there is a way in which we can find solace; this is through patience and worship:
“And certainly, We shall test you with a bit of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits. But give glad tidings to the patient ones who, when afflicted with a calamity, say: “Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.” They are those upon whom are the blessings, descend from their Lord, and they receive His Mercy, and it is they who are guided.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:155-157)
It may be so that Allah subhana wa ta’ala wishes to test us to remove our sins and reward the righteous:
Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqas reported that he asked the Messenger of Allah (SAW): “Which of the people are tested most severely?” Rasulullah (SAW) replied: “The Prophets, then the righteous, then those who are most like them, then those who are most like them from the people. A man is tested according to his religious commitment. So, if his religious practice is sound, then his testing is increased, and if his religious practice is weak, then his testing is reduced. A servant continues to be tested until he walks the Earth without a single sin on him.” (Ahmad, Tirmidhi)
We should also bear in mind that our very existence in the dunya (world) is a test aswell:
“Verily, We have created man from drops of mixed semen in order to test him, so We made him hearer, seer. Verily, We showed him the way, so he is either grateful or ungrateful.” (Surah al-Insan 76: 2-3)“Verily, We have made that which is on earth as an adornment for it so that We may test them as to which of them are best in deeds.” (Surah al-Kahf 18:7)
Everyone has a trial; regardless of whether you believe it to be a trial or not. In the end, we must realise that this world is a temporary setting. It may be that your patience within your hardships increases your imaan and becomes a means for you to enter Jannah, inshaAllah. What we must not do is lose hope. Remember that:
And verily for everything that a slave loses there is a substitute, but the one who loses Allah will never find anything to replace Him - Ibn Qayyim Al Jawziyyah
The month of Ramadan is near; let this be a chance for us to rectify our faults and earn humility, patience and understanding. Let it also be a chance for us to purify ourselves from sin and to make du’a for our hardships and trials to be a means for us to purify our sins. For yourself and for the whole Muslim Ummah.
{ 0 comments... read them below or add one }
Post a Comment