What Muslims should do in Hardships
Dynamics of Hardships and Trials
Ibn At'aillah Al Iskandari Rahaimahullah writes in his Al-Hikam (plural of Hikmah), “Sometimes Allah gives while depriving you, and sometimes He deprives you in giving”. This concept seems to be very simplistic. We all know that at the times of difficulty or when we are being deprived of something that we are asking Allah Almighty, there is something good hidden in it for us.
As Allah says in Quran, Surah Ash-Sharh, verse 5:
“For indeed, with hardship (will be) ease (i.e., relief).” [94:5]
Similarly, the relief Allah bestow on us during our difficult times, we are being deprived of something. Now what does this mean? Let’s look at it from this perspective. Being deprived of the thing you desperately want, can make a person feel negative. This can make a person feel like ‘how can I know if all the blessings that I have are depriving me of something?’ So, what’s the right approach to look at this wisdom?
Trials and Struggles we face in this Worldly Life
When you are at ease in your life, which is the moment to reflect and understand the dynamics about facing hardships in life. When you talk about difficulty, a particular problem comes in your mind. We all have different struggles and trails which we cannot compare with others. Although we know that our trails and struggles are for our own good. Still, at times we are unable to think and feel the way Allah wants us.
As Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“When Allah (SWT) desires good for someone, He tries him with hardships” [Sahih al-Bukhar]. Quran teaches us sabr (patience) and tawaakul at many instances. Still, our struggles make us sad and that sadness is perhaps not going away. We don’t know what to do in those times, what should we remind ourselves?
Here are some reminders that can help you to practice Sabr (patience) during hardships.
- This World is a place of Test
- Blessing in Disguise
- Refrain from Comparison
The first thing is that whenever Allah Almighty sends any difficulty in our way, we need to remind ourselves that we are tested in this life. Allah promises in the Quran by stating in following verse
“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits but give good tidings to the patient.” [Surah Baqarah 2:155].
When we are constantly dealing with struggles and hurting, we fail to remind ourselves that this worldly life is a test. Our trials and hardships affect us emotionally that’s when we forget this. So, it is a good point to remind ourselves that this world is temporary and the trails we are facing will not last longer.
Every struggle or painful experience we have is a blessing in disguise.
Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet (PBUH), said:
“Nothing afflicts a Muslim of hardship, nor illness, nor anxiety, nor sorrow, nor harm, nor distress, nor even the pricking of a thorn, but that Allah will expiate his sins by it” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 257].
Allah Almighty has told us that these trails are a way to expiate our sins and make us closer to him. For believers, there is a blessing hidden in these trails that only Allah knows and we do not know.
We as human beings have a habit of comparing ourselves and our lives with other people. When we don’t get something we desire, we start complaining and have a pessimistic approach towards life. This comparison is detrimental that pushes us away from Allah and Quran. We need to remember not to compare ourselves with other as not two people and their lives can’t be compared.
Allah says in Surah Luqman, verse 12:
And verily, We gave Luqman the wisdom that, “Be grateful to Allah.” And whoever (is) grateful then only he is grateful for himself. And whoever (is) ungrateful, then indeed, Allah (is) Free of need, Praiseworthy” [Surah Luqman 31:12].
In the pursuit of finding ease in life, gratefulness can help a person realise what Allah has already blessed him with. Comparing oneself with someone else middle is a trick of shaitan, to shift one’s focus and fill his mind with negative emotions.
Bottom line
One of the basic things we need to focus on is not to give into the tricks of shaiytan. He tries to make us believe that our struggles will never end. Allah will test us with hardship that might be beyond our limits because we are sinful. But we need to remind ourselves that even in those dark and painful moments, Allah is aware, He is Al Muhyiy (The Giver of Life) who can change and bring ease in our lives.
