By In distressing times, we may find ourselves asking the proverbial question: why me? It might seem like our whole world is beginning to fall apart. But, what we must always remember is that these trials and tribulations are the signs of a deep love Allah harbors for his servants. Calamities are good for the believer in the sense that reward is stored up for them in the Hereafter, when they are raised in status and their bad deeds are wiped away. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“When Allah wills good for His slave, He hastens the punishment for him in this world, and when Allah wills ill for His slave, he withholds the punishment for his sins from him until he comes with all his sins on the Day of Resurrection.”
When stricken with calamity, say:
Through trials and obstacles, the believer reaps rewards, and there is no way to attain them but through patience. And there is no way to be patient except with resolute faith and strong will.
There are things which, when remembered by one who is stricken with calamity, will make the calamity easier for him to bear. We collected several of these points from the book Zaad al Ma’aad that we hope will make your day brighter:
1. There’s good fortune in calamities. Just try to keep a positive outlook.
Sometimes the things that happen to us are for the best, but it’s hard to see this until you’re looking back in the long run. Allah has stored for you something that is a lot better than what you might have lost. It’s really important to remember that in times of great pain. You never know what might have happened at the important meeting you forgot about, or the bus you were late to catch.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“…Perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.” (1:216)
2. Try to be grateful for the things you do have, and okay with the things you don’t.
There will always eventually be rain after a sunny day, and a sunny day after a stormy one. Ibn Mas’ood said:
For every moment of joy there is a moment of sorrow, and no house is filled with joy but it will be filled with sorrow.
3. Stay Calm.
Panicking will not make the hardship go away — in fact, it might make it worse.
I can’t think of a single good thing that might come from panicking. Sometimes we can’t control it, but if you feel yourself start to go over the edge, take a super deep breath and get your thoughts in order. Remember you’re never alone.
“When they were in the cave and he said to his companion, “Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.” And Allah sent down his tranquillity upon him and supported him with angels you did not see and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest, while the word of Allah – that is the highest.” (9:40)
Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.
4. Be patient, have good faith.
Turn your disaster into good fortune. It’s in your hands. Take it easy, embrace your faith, don’t freak out, and help those around you.
I promise, you will find peace.
5. Be happy, say Alhamdulilah, and embrace your calamities.
Being victorious over your hard times is a reward in itself. Looking back and being able to say –Wow. I really did it. I made it through – is one of the best feelings in the world.
There will be a “house of praise” built for you in paradise as a reward for turning to Allah during difficult times. So take these worldly calamities with ease and put the heat of anger into supplications for Allah. If you lost a beloved, you will find them in the afterlife, if you lost money you will be compensated by more in heaven. Just have patience. In al-Tirmidhi it is narrated that a companion of the Prophet said:
“Were it not for the calamities of this world, we would come empty-handed on the Day of Resurrection.”
SubhanAllah.
6. Disasters are like check-ups.
Allah is testing you. He is the Merciful, the Wise, the Forgiving… There’s no way Allah SWT sent you something to destroy you or cause you pain or finish you off. Rather, your Lord is checking up on you, testing your patience, acceptance and faith. Subhanallah, it’s like a reminder to make supplications, to give Allah SWT a chance to forgive your sins.
Take advantage of the opportunity.
7. Seriously, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Like we said before, even disasters that seem out of control, are in your hand. Gauge your response. Allow yourself time to heal. It is said:
Allah may bless us with calamities even if that is hard, and Allah may test some people with blessings.
8. Always look ahead.
What little damage is done here on earth, is rewarded with many times the blessing in the afterlife. No one said it would be easy. But it becomes less difficult with increasing faith. Sahih Muslim (918) narrated that Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) said:
I heard the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) say: “There is no Muslim who is stricken with a calamity and says what Allah has enjoined –‘Verily to Allah we belong and unto Him is our return. O Allah, reward me for my affliction and compensate me with something better’ – but Allah will compensate him with something better.”
Subhanallah. So, take your life into your own hands. Look around you, try and count your blessings- you can’t.
Can you guys ever talk about religion without including memes and vines from television shows ?