Furqan Daily—A Better Muslimah

Convener: Sister Haliyat Abdulsalam (Ummu Fawzaan)

Topic: Surviving Through the Storm
Date: 2nd June, 2021.

There are times when we are blessed with abundance. There are days when we
have little or nothing to call possessions, and there are years we live an ordinary
fulfilled life. Why do season changes? How do we adapt to the constantly changing
moments?

These are questions we ask ourselves. Take a moment and ponder on your
journey. Look back and take a brief moment to reflect. Have you ever experienced an
hiatus of wealth? Of material possessions? Of knowledge? Have you ever been struck
by the demise of a beloved person?

I know there are some people who have never come short of all these, but there
are times they feel threatened by the peace. A friend of mine once said to me: “Hali
hali, do you ever feel life is too perfect for you at a day where people don't blame you
for anything?” Come to think of it, we are all battling with trials in one way or the other.

Allah, Azzawajal, said in Qur'an 29 verse 2 and 3: “Do the people think they'll be
left alone on saying “we believe”, and that they'll not be tested? We did test those
before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are
false.” This verse clearly explains that as a believer, we will be tried, either negatively
or positively.

If you have all that you desire, He's testing your belief. How? If you are wealthy,
you are to make charity. You are to spend, fisabiliLlah—for the sake of Allah. Not just
for the good name, not because others are doing it, but because you desire a blessed
position with Him.

Na’am, we now know that we can be tested positively, and the negative trials
aren't obscure to us. When we need, but are denied, we are tested. When we are sick,
when we record loss of lives and properties, we are afflicted with trials.

“But why should this happens to me?” is a question we alter when in this kind of
situation. So, I'm asking you “why are we afflicted with trials?” Do you know why?

Tirmidhi (RA) related that the Prophet (SAW) said, “When Allah loves someone, He
afflicts him with hardships.” How beautiful! Ma Sha Allah. Remembering this hadith
should soothe our hearts. My Creator loves me. He loves you. He loves them, and that's
why they are suffering in penury. He wants you to feel his love for you.

I know that this might sound absurd, but Lillah you can only feel His connection, His
love and care for you when you're calm. Be patient during trials. Not just patience, but
‫يل َوٱلل َّ ُه ٱل ُْم ْستَ َع ُـ‬
a beautiful one. Yakub (AS) said “...‫ان‬ ٌ ‫ف ََصبْ ٌر َج ِم‬...”(Patient is most fitting, and it is
Allah whose help can be sought). This is what we need. Allah, Subhannahu wa Ta'ala,
said in Qur'an 2 verse 45: “...seek (Allah's) help with patient, perseverance and prayer...”
This is our Lord talking to us. Remember, He knows us more than we know ourselves,
and it's from Him we should seek help. Exercise patience, you don't know if something
bigger will be used to replace that which causes you to grief. Ibn al-Qayyim (RA) said it
beautifully: “When Allah tests you, it's never to destroy you. When He removes
something in your possession, it's only in order to empty your hands for an even
greater gift.” Persevere, because Jannah should be your utmost goal, and Jannah is
full of perfections unlike Dunya. Observe Salah, it will connect you more with Him. Aisha
(RA) said “whenever something bothered the Prophet, he would rush to stand in
Prayer.”

Try this, too. When you are overwhelmed or you feel the world has turned against
you, why don't you bow down in Salah to the One who created everything?

Reading further from Qur'an 2 verse 45, Allah, Ta'ala, said “...it is indeed hard,
except to those who are humble.” You might feel resented towards being patient,
persevering or observing Salah, strive hard to be humble. Don't be arrogant. Put in
your darnedest towards surviving through the storm.

Dhikr is one of the best ways to overcome trials. “Remember Allah all the time,
for its in the remembrance of Him do hearts find satisfaction.” Make Dua. Ponder on
His words, His signs and creations. Listen to podcasts that would get you connected to
Him. Watch videos that would remind you of Him. Spend your time with people who fear
Him. Fast for His sake.

Ibn Taymiyyah (RA) said: “A calamity that makes you turn to Allah is better for
you than a blessing which makes you forget the remembrance of Allah.” Be grateful
that He puts you into trials. Say 'Alhamdulillah'. He knows that it's hard, but He wants you
to get detached from the chattels of deceptions of Dunya.

I'd leave you with this hadith of the Prophet “No calamity befalls a Muslim but
that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it, even if it were the prick of a thorn.”
[Bukhari, Muslim].

May Allah, Azzawajal, pour constancy on us, make our steps firm and help us against
those that reject faith. May He grant us ease, and safeguard us. May He not place on
us a burden that's greater than we can bear. Amin. As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah
wa barakahtuh.