By Abdullahi Jamaa
When the going gets tough and the trials of life overstretch your humane capacity, seek solace and salvation through prayer, patience and remembrance.
Human vulnerability and weakness is part of the suffering but succumbing to despair offers no solution. A Muslims’ strongest pillar of courage during adversities is his close connection with Allah.
‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab is reported to have said:
“No amount of guilt can change the past, and no amount of worrying can change the future. Go easy on yourself, for the outcome of all affairs is determined by Allah’s decree. If something is meant to go elsewhere, it will never come your way, but if it is yours by destiny, from it you cannot flee.”
Trials affect believers’ spiritual propensity to deal with their affairs in a way that either make them vulnerable to satanic whispers of failure or they will remain guarded in an angelic atmosphere of rest, comfort and tranquillity.
During adversities violent emotions affect many people yet for a strong believer his unshakable faith combats the ensuing mental confusion. In a nut shell, trials strengthen a believer’s tenacity to face the thorns of life that reappear quite routinely.
At some point when disasters struck even strong believers are emotionally affected inundating their psyche with some degree of tumult before return of tranquillity.
Trials come in different forms and situations. Losing wealth, life, health, relations or honour form bulk of seething agonies. A believer must meet these challenges with faith, courage, and patience and with a grateful and happy heart.
Suhaib reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“Wondrous is the affair of the believer for there is good for him in every matter and this is not the case with anyone except the believer. If he is happy, then he thanks Allah and thus there is good for him. If he is harmed, then he shows patience and thus there is good for him.” (Muslim)
If we look back at the eventful history of Islam, prophets have gone through ordeals and events that have shaken their hearts and minds. From various Quranic anecdotes they contended with catastrophic tests that shaped their devotion and duty to Allah.
Weight of prophethood
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) faced huge challenges especially in his first 10 years in Mecca. He dealt with obstinate unbelievers who insulted the prophethood and the religion of Islam. For years he endured unabated psychological torture.
The immensity of perjury and sacrilege from his own tribesmen was indeed the worst treatment. The Quresh clan of the prophet resisted against the mission, revolting against a man they so trusted for his honesty and humility.
The likes of Abu Lahab gave the prophet sleepless nights. He was dealing with an uncle who deserved respect and honour at the same time he must confront him with divine revelation from the celestial tablets. From time to time, Abu Lahab followed the prophet asking people not to listen to him.
The rejection by some of his relatives and tribesmen tormented his mind and heart. His relatives whom he hoped will support the mission turned against the revelation attacking the prophet and his companions physically and verbally.
As persecutions intensified the prophet and his followers were isolated and treated inhumanely. The likes of Bilal were tortured under the scorching sun, entire Muslim families maimed and generally life in Mecca those days was a little hell on earth.
In the ensuing hard times, the prophet felt the weight of prophethood. He became depressed, concerned about how life has become difficult for his people.
Allah addressed him in Surah Al-Hijr as follows:
“Indeed, we are sufficient for you against the mockers…..Who make [equal] with Allah another deity. But they are going to know…..And We already know that your breast is constrained by what they say.” Quran 15:95-7
Dealing with trials
From the Quran we understand that the prophet used three effective spiritual salvation to overcome trouble of life while advancing his honourable task of spreading the word of Allah.
He prepared his mental and physical capacities to deal with temporal sorrows awakening his spiritual energies. He overcome emotional subjugation through patience, prayer and intensified remembrance of Almighty Allah.
In many verses the Quran accorded these three spiritual techniques as the most formidable bastions of salvation and redemption against distress. Indeed they have been used by the prophet effectively fortifying his faith to serve his Lord with diligence and zeal.
Allah told the prophet : “So exalt (Allah) with praise and be of those who prostrate”
The power of SubhanAllah
Shurayh Al-Qaadee said:
“If I am afflicted with a calamity, I praise Allah for it four times: I praise Him because it wasn’t worse than it was, I praise Him when He gives me the patience to bear it, I praise Him for enabling me to say al-istirjâ’ (‘To Allah we belong and to him we will return) in hope of a great reward, and I praise Him for not making it a calamity in my religion.”
Saying the word SubhanAllah is easy but its rewards are big and immeasurable. It involves praising our Lord and acknowledging His majesty. In saying SubhanAllah we are acknowledging that we have no power without Him, as He has power over all things.
Our attestation and affirmation of the power of Allah will fill our hearts and minds with contentment and internal satisfaction. It’s a very powerful and direct way of strengthening our relationship with Allah.
The highly recommended remembrance that involves SubhanAllah are two: saying SubhanAllahil Adhiim and SubhanAllahi Wa Bihamdihi, the first one is glorifying Allah and the second is showing gratitude.
Allah loves the one who praises and glorifies him, and His love for you increases. It’s through Allah’s love and mercy that our duas are answered. This remembrance therefore forms a solid foundation for a very special relationship with Allah that can be achieved easily through blissful, pure and excellent form of worship- remembrance
When we improve our connection with Allah through this highly regarded form of remembrance certainly we shall gain barakah, mercy and peace that without doubt will wipe our sorrows and open doors of opportunities for us.
The power of prayer
Our beloved Prophet relied on prayer as a source of comfort. It’s in prayer that he found mental calmness to deal with distress and difficulties. He sought strength through bowings and prostrations.
Prayer is nourishment for the soul and the delight of the eyes. It must be done with a sincere intention and heightened concentration. A prayer full of quality increases our connection with the creator enhancing our chances of success and hope for betterment
At the start of prayer, we raise our hands to the greatness of Allah, with loyalty and humility we converse with Alsamee, putting all our worries behind in full expectation of salvation.
Prayer is a powerful spiritual tool that keeps our faith stronger forever. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Allah directs His Face toward the face of His servant who is praying, as long as he does not turn away” (Tirmidhi).
It’s often said that a busy life makes prayer harder, but prayer makes a busy life easier. Create golden opportunities of meeting Allah through increased prayers, make concerted and consistent efforts of performing recommended voluntary prayers.
The power of patience
Patience is the mental ability to accept calmly the trials that Allah sends, without complaining or feeling sad about it. It requires one to refrain from panicking at times of stress and agony.
The power of patience gives a believer a common sense and religious motives that are stronger than his whims and desires. One must therefore strive to achieve patience.
Allah says in magnificent Quran: “Verily, We shall put you to test with some fear, and hunger, and with some loss of wealth, lives, and offspring. And (O Muhammad) convey good tidings to those who are patient, who say, when inflicted by hardship, “Verily we are of God and verily to Him shall we return;” upon them is the blessings of Allah and His mercy.” (2:155)
Using the power of patience involves remembering your previous time of ease and comfort, counting the blessings of Allah that you still have and expecting help from Allah alone.
So next time when life troubles you remember to remain calm and do not panick instead be patient, pray a lot and glorify the Lord of the world.
Ibn al-Qayyim said: “When a person spends his entire day with no other concern but Allah alone, Allah, may He be glorified, will take care of all his needs and take care of all that is worrying him; He will empty his heart so that it will be filled only with love for Him, free his tongue so that it will speak only in remembrance of Him (dhikr) and cause all his faculties to work only in obedience to Him.”
