Nobody is living a perfect life. Everyone goes through a certain kind of hardship and challenges that either makes or breaks them! Such is the innate nature of life and the purpose of our creation.
Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an: “He is the One who created life and death to test which of you is best in deeds.”
(Surah Mulk, V.2)
We are all aware of the fact that the struggles that we go through are not permanent but however, it is essential for the believer to be reminded so that at the time of any trial, they have the best attitude. Each person is tested in different ways according to their level of Iman and religious commitment. The greater the Iman, the greater the test; and greater the reward and vice versa.
Who will be tested?
Sa’d bin Abu Waqqas, said: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, which people are most severely tested?’ He said: ‘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.”
All these trials are a means to an end. These are a means to expiate our sins and reserve a place in Jannah. “The Prophet (SAW) said – “No calamity befalls a Muslim but that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it, even though it were the prick he receives from a thorn.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 5640)
It comes with the only condition of remaining patient and adopting a good attitude during such trials and not complaining or showing ingratitude towards His decree. Here I do not mean that you cannot weep to Allah, in fact, Allah (SWT) loves when His slave calls to Him.
The struggle that brings you closer to Allah is indeed a blessing in disguise and there is always a win-win situation for a believer. Our Prophet (SAW) said, in the good times, a believer expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him, and if hardship befalls him, he endures it with patience and that is better for him.
You will also notice that at the end of these short-term trials, there will be a long-lasting impact of the reward in this life and the next. It will also leave the marks of having the strength of patience with the rest of the trials. However, this will only happen once you remind yourself that the circle of such trials and tribulations is never-ending. Freedom from such severe situations is only found in Paradise. That’s the place of ultimate success and resting place!
Quick Tip:
When the mindset of every believer is set with the innate nature of this life and is aware that everything in this life is a test, they will start dealing with it patiently in order to gain the reward from Allah which is Jannah. Remember, Jannah does not come easy, it is surrounded by the trials and tribulations that we go through on a daily basis. What matters is how we deal with them!!
So, “glad tidings to those who are patient” (Surah al-Baqarah, V.155)
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