While we may naturally and expectedly think of hardships and difficulties as anything but a gift from God, the truth is that everything from Allah Almighty in reality carries hidden blessings and grace, and this is especially true for trials and tribulations.
The Messenger of God ﷺ stated that hardships and calamities are in fact a mercy from God, for they purify the believers of sins, burdens and attachment to the world so that they do not suffer punishment in the hereafter (related in Abu Dawud and al-Haakim).
This nation of mine is a nation that has been granted mercy; it will not have any reckoning or punishment in the Hereafter. Its punishment is in killings, earthquakes, trials and tribulations.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
In this video commentary on this important hadith of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, I share four valuable lessons we can keep in mind so as to reduce the pain and suffering that we experience in the world, and also come into greater faith and alignment with the will of Allah Almighty.
Lesson #1: The Life of the World is Fleeting
The life of the world is short, transient, temporal and transitory. The dunya is not and cannot be paradise, and so it will be plagued with challenges, trials and tribulations. Yet when we remember that we are but passing through this world and that the home eternal is in the life beyond, we are far better prepared and equipped to deal with difficulties and hardships when they arise.
Yet when we lose sight of eternity and the transient nature of the life in dunya, we find ourselves in even greater hardship and difficulty when trying to cope with the inevitable trials and tribulations that arise and manifest in the life of this world.
This place is a dream. Only a sleeper considers it real. Then death comes like dawn, and you wake up laughing at what you thought was your grief.
Rumi (qs)
Lesson #2: Struggles Increase Faith
For they who believe, hardships, difficulties, trials and tribulations actually increase faith and belief in Allah Almighty and in the life to come in the hereafter, for such but remind they who are aligned towards God and the world eternal that indeed, the life of the world is and must be temporal and illusory.
Conversely, for they who do not yet believe or worse, who unbelieve, calamities, pain and suffering often increases them in disbelief and unbelief, for when the heart is not predisposed towards faith, greater doubt then takes root when the human being is tested.
As believers, we must embrace the path of faith and fortitude, and the way that leads to reconnection with our Creator and the divine purpose for which we have been created (see Eternal Warrior Way).
Do people think once they say, “We believe,” that they will be left without being put to the test?
We certainly tested those who came before them. For Allah will surely make known those who are truthful and those who are liars.
Surah al-Ankabut, 29: 2-3
Lesson #3: Tribulations are a Mercy from God
Allah Almighty more than anything hates to punish His servants and they who believe, so often, trials and tribulations in the temporal world become a means of purifying them so that they will be spared suffering and punishment in the worlds to come.
In this way, all things become good and beneficial for the believers. Hardships are met with patience, and this is beautiful to God. Likewise, ease and bounty are met with gratitude, and this too is pleasing to God, as well as the means to attract greater grace from His Divine Presence (see Mastering the Law of Attraction).
This nation of mine is a nation that has been granted mercy; it will not have any reckoning or punishment in the Hereafter. Its punishment is in killings, earthquakes, trials and tribulations.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Lesson #4: Sins Attract Calamities
The Universe is continually kept in balance by the will of Allah Almighty, and so just as good deeds attract divine mercy, light, love, peace, protection and providence, so too do evil deeds attract calamities and consequences.
The only safety from the consequences of negative and rebellious deeds is in repentance, in worship and in good and positive deeds, such as prayer, dhikr, meditation, charity, gratitude and good deeds.
Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them? … We destroyed them for their sins…
Surah al-Ankabut, 6:6
We pray that Allah Almighty strengthen us in pure and healing faith, and that He Almighty guide us and our loved ones to that which is best, most pleasing to He and most beneficial for us both here and hereafter.
We also pray that Allah Almighty admit into the highest of His paradises they who have recently passed in the earthquakes in Turkey and elsewhere, that He grant them the ranks of martyrs and that He make easy and grant patience, faith and fortitude to the hearts of their loved ones who remain.
Ameen.
To your divine and eternal success.
