"Allaah surely loves those who are the Sabireen (patient)." (3:146)
Hardships and ease are a trial for you. Everything Allaah chooses
for you; from good or evil, is for your benefit. Whatever occurred to
you could not have missed you and what missed you could never have
reached you. Rewards are only for those who are patient with the
Decree of Allaah.
Panic and impatience cannot prevent Allaah's Decree. Shakwah
(complaining) is contradictory to Sabr (patience).
Allaah alone can protect you from harm and ease your difficulties.
Sabr is obligatory!
If the affliction results from acts of obedience to Allaah, such as
injury on the battlefield, losing money during Hijrah
(migrating for the sake of Allaah), losing a job because of accepting
Islaam or because one attempts to follow the Sunnah of Allaah's
Messenger (Salal-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) like growing the beard,
wearing the lower garment above the ankles, etc, then the affliction
is a trial. Whoever bears it with patience will be rewarded and
whoever exhibits annoyance may invoke the wrath of Allaah upon himself.
If the affliction befalls due to sinful actions, such as illnesses
caused by drinking alcohol and using drugs etc,
then the affliction is a punishment from Allaah. Hasten to avoid all
sinful acts and turn towards Allaah in
repentance and ask his forgiveness. Otherwise, know that the
punishments of the Hereafter are far more severe and unbearable.
If the affliction is neither connected to a good deed nor a sin, such
as other kinds of disease and sickness, losing
a child, or failing in business, then you should evaluate your actions.
If you are involved in some kind of disobedience to Allaah then the
affliction is a punishment for you and a reminder
to leave your evil deeds. Otherwise, Allaah has caused this affliction
to test your patience.
The Messenger of Allaah (Salal-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "One
amongst the inhabitants of Hell, who had lived a
life of ease and pleasure in the world, would be made to dip in the
Hell Fire only once on the Day of Resurrection.
Then it would be asked: 'O son of Adam, Did you find any comfort. Did
you get any blessing?' He would say: 'By Allaah, no, my Lord!'Then a
person, from the inhabitants of Paradise, who had led the most
miserable life (in the world), would be made to dip once in Paradise
and it would be said to him: 'O son of Adam, did you face any hardship
or experience any distress?'
He would say: 'By Allah! No never have I experienced any hardship or
distress'." (Saheeh Muslim, No. 6738)
"And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss
of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad
tidings to as-Saabireen (the patient ones).
Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: "Inna lillaahi wa Inna Ilaihi
Raaji'un (Verily to Allaah we belong and verily, to Him we shall return)."
They are those on whom are the Salawaat ( 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." (2:155-157)
******
THE 4 LEVELS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AFFLICTED:
The First Level:
Being angry, and this is in various ways:
And anger is of two types. The first type of anger is that which is
directed toward his Lord. So he becomes angry with what Allaah has
decreed for him, and this is Haraam (forbidden).
And it is possible that this could lead to kufr. Allaah said: "And
among mankind is he who worships Allaah upon the very edge (i.e. in
doubt); if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a trial
befalls him, he turns back on his face ( i.e. Reverts back to
disbelief after embracing Islaam).
He loses both this world and the Hereafter. That is the evident
loss." (22:11)
The second type of anger is expressed by the tongue like making
du'aa for destruction or ruin and what is similar to that, and this
is Haraam.
The third type of anger is expressed by the limbs like slapping the
cheeks, ripping clothing, pulling out hair, and similar to that, and
all of this is Haraam and in contradiction to patience which is Waajib.
The Second Level:
Being patient, just as in the saying: Patience is like its name -
bitter in taste, yet its outcomes are sweeter than honey.
So the person sees this thing (the affliction) weighs very heavy upon
him, yet he bears it although he dislikes that it happened. Rather,
his Eemaan bears it and restrains him from being angry. So the time of
affliction and the time of no affliction is not the same to him, and
this (level) is Waajib, because Allaah commanded the people to be
patient, saying:
"And be patient, indeed Allaah is with the patient ones." (8:46)
The Third Level:
Being pleased with the affliction in that the person is pleased with
the affliction and whether it happened or not, it is the same to him
so he it is not difficult upon him.
He does not bear it as if it is something weighing heavy on him, and
this (level) is Mustahabb (preferred) and it is not Waajib according
to the most correct opinion.
The difference between this level and the one before it is apparent
because the affliction happening or not happening is the same due to
the pleasure of the one on this level.
As for the level before it, the affliction is hard upon him, yet he
remains patient over it.
The Fourth Level:
Thankfulness and being grateful and this is the highest level. This is
that the person thanks Allaah for the affliction which
has struck him in that he knows that this affliction is expiation for
his sins and perhaps a cause for an increase in his good deeds.
The Prophet (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "There is no
affliction which strikes the Muslim except that
Allaah expiates with it (sins), even with a thorn that may poke him."
(Bukhaaree & Muslim)
O Allaah, make us from those who have patience upon hardships and
those who are thankful upon Your blessings, Ameen!
***************************************************************************
{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.} (Holy Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all." [Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
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