FACING TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

A very good and dear friend of mine told me that his life is filled with sadness and sorrow…he will be losing his job in a month’s time (due to the current economic slowdown) and has lots of debts….he does not know how he will face the future….

Sounds familiar?

Nothing happens in this world except through the leave of Allah swt. Therefore, a person who has been suffering from distress should know that Allah swt is fully aware of all that has happened or been happening to him. It is not a chaotic world where pain and suffering happens at random, nor is it a lawless universe without a ruler and watcher where the strong – be that a person or a nation – can do whatever it wishes to the weak without a consequence. The believer should know that Allah swt is aware of every little details of everything that happens, so much so that not even a leaf falls from a tree without Allah swt being aware of it:

He knoweth whatever there is on the earth and in the sea. Not a leaf doth fall but with His knowledge: there is not a grain in the darkness (or depths) of the earth nor anything fresh or dry (green or withered) but is (inscribed) in a Record Clear (to those who can read). (6:59)

No misfortune can happen on earth or in your souls but is recorded in a decree before We bring it into existence: that is truly easy for Allah: in order that ye may not despair over matters that pass you by … (57:22-23)

Therefore, the believer should take relief and comfort from the fact that Allah swt is fully and intimately aware of his situations. Any harm or injustice that he has been subjected to by anyone, will not go without a consequence. Or if he is suffering from distress and difficulties, then his suffering is constantly being watched by One who is the Most Kind, the Most Merciful.

Though calamities may hit a believer as a surprise, the reality is that by virtue of being a believer one is supposed to suffer. If a believer understands the Islamic philosophy that this life is a testing ground, then he should realize that this philosophy will be implemented for him in practice while he lives in this testing ground, and not after he dies. Tests are not just limited to see whether one performs the rituals or not. His belief and commitments to Allah swt, and his focus in the Hereafter will be fully and thoroughly tested with calamities and afflictions to gauge the depth of his faith in his heart. Achieving Paradise will not be easy. It will come only with unshakable faith and trust in Allah swt. Allah, may He be glorified, says:

Ye shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves. (3:186)

Do men think that they will be left alone on saying “We believe” and that they will not be tested? (29:2)

Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil); but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. (2:155)

Ah! To how many believers these verses come out as relief and solace! How many hearts of believers, with wild storms and waves in there, have calm down when remembering these verses! Day in and day out, these verses have brought the believers to tranquility and provided them with strength. Their souls then speak out: “Yea, we are tested because we are righteous believers.”

To have that feeling of being a righteous believer is very comforting indeed. Do our eyes not always witness the fact that it is the righteous people who always suffer with pain, loss, and calamities one after another while the unrighteous always seem to prosper?

One individual once told another one who was going through tribulations that Allah swt was displeased with him, and hence his difficulties. This man lacked wisdom, for his comment was offensive to the person who was already distressed. More importantly, his understanding was incorrect from an Islamic perspective. The one who received the comment was a gentleman and also knowledgeable in Islam. Thus, it was not surprising that he decided to digest his remark and refrained from giving a response.

There are people who do maintain that incorrect understanding. Whenever they see a believer who is suffering from some calamity or disease, they think that this is a reflection of Allah swt’s wrath on him.

They should remember about the Companions of the Prophet saw who were severely persecuted or even killed after becoming Muslim, an event that wipes out all past sins. Even the prophets of Allah, the best of all people who ever walked on the face of the earth, were persecuted by their community without exception. Was Joseph not thrown into a well, sold as a slave, and then thrown back into a prison? Did Job not face severest of trials one after another, and was eventually left out by all except his wife? In fact, the Quran tells us that many prophets were brutally killed by the unbelievers.

These examples should establish the fact that trials and tribulations are not a sign of Allah’s displeasure on someone. Quite the contrary, it is rather a sign of Allah’s love on someone. The Prophet saw said:

When Allah who is Great and Glorious loves people He afflicts them [with trials]. (Tirmidhi)

Anyone for whom Allah intends good, He makes him suffer from some affliction. (Bukhari)

When Allah intends good for His slave, He punishes him in this world, but when He intends an evil for His slave, He does not hasten to take him to task but calls him to account on the Day of Resurrection. (Tirmidhi)

The punishment in the Hereafter is much severe – in fact unimaginable from our worldly perspective – than any affliction one can face in this world. Therefore, when Allah swt loves someone and intends for him or her to go to Paradise, He wipes out his sins and mistakes and rewards him highly by putting him to afflictions in this world.

Human beings are created weak (4:28). When a sudden calamity or distress befalls us, we easily become overwhelmed and often cry out, “O Allah! This is too much for me to bear!”

It never is. The believers should know it for fact that Allah swt never puts any burden on a soul that is beyond its ability to bear. Perhaps because we often lose sight of this fact that Allah swt mentions this in several places in the Quran:

On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear. (2:286)

On no soul do We place a burden greater than it can bear: before Us is a record which clearly shows the truth: they will never be wronged. (23:62)

No burden do We place on any soul but that which it can bear. (6:152)

And those who believe and do good – We do not impose upon any of them a burden beyond his capacity. (7:42)

This fundamental truth is actually obvious to a believer who reflects. For, if the point is to test one’s level of faith and commitment to Allah swt, then it would be an injustice to put a burden on a soul that it will surely fail, and Allah swt never commits injustice against anyone:

… nor is thy Lord ever unjust (in the least) to His servants. (41:46)

Verily Allah will not deal unjustly with man in aught: it is man that wrongs his own soul. (10:44)

Therefore, no matter how difficult one’s situation is or how sever his sufferings, he should have absolutely no doubt in his mind he has the ability to deal with the trial. Allah swt is Just, and every affliction that He tests his faithful servant with, there is always two viable outcome for him: passing the test with success and thus earning Allah’s good pleasure, or failing it.

A believer should remain mentally prepared to face any calamity or affliction, although he or she should never seek one. If he is not mentally prepared to face any difficulties in life and then suddenly is afflicted with one, then he may not be able to deal with it properly as he should. It is, therefore, wise that a believer solidify himself with knowledge from the Quran and the Sunnah regarding how to deal with trials and tribulations and then be prepared to face difficulties of life, but without seeking or hoping for any trial. This will help him remain calm and patient and pass the test when it comes, Insha Allah

HAPPY 52ND INDEPENDENCE DAY, MALAYSIA!!!!!

Today, Malaysians all around the world celebrate our nation’s 52^nd Independence Day!!!!

Malaysia – I am proud to be your citizen….may you prosper and stay peaceful…..

HANDLING GRIEF AND SORROW.....

Muslims are advised to comfort the bereaved person by visiting them, strengthening their faith, offering them food, and reciting the Quran. Although grieving may never fully end, the period of outward mourning lasts no more than three days.

Muslims believe that all suffering, life, death, joy and happiness are derived from Allah swt and that Allah swt is the one who gives us strength to survive. These beliefs are usually sources of comfort and strength that aid the healing process. For example, in accepting grief and loss, the relatives of the deceased person are urged to be patient (sabr) and accept Allah s decree. 'Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, same loss in goods, lives and the fruits of your toil, but give glad tiding to those who patiently persevere. Who say, when afflicted with calamity: To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return' (Quran: 62). People who have patience in accepting Allah's decree will be given a reward from Him.

'I have no reward other than paradise for my believing servant who is patient when I take away one of his beloved from among his companions of the world', or 'Whatever trouble, illness, anxiety, grief, pain and sorrow afflicts a Muslim, even if it is the pricking of a thorn - Allah removes same of his sins because of it' (Quran: 63 and 58).

This doesn't mean that Muslims should not grieve when they lose someone close to them. Bereavement is an upsetting and traumatic experience and it might comfort the mourner to know that such reactions and feelings are almost universal responses to loss, and that they are not sinful. Shock, disbelief, denial anger, guilt, bargaining, depression, and acceptance are common human reactions to the loss of a loved one. Muslims are allowed to express these feelings, it will be damaging for them to suppress them since the loss has to be acknowledged, the different emotions of grief have to be freed, new skills may need to be developed, and emotional energy channelled into new life.

It is permissible to cry and express grief over the death of a loved one, however, extreme lamentation is discouraged. In Islam it is permitted to weep softly, before someone had died, at the time of death, and after. A number of respected Hadiths describe that on several occasions the Prophet Muhammad saw cried when one of his loved ones died. For example, when the Prophet saw re-visited the grave of his mother he cried, and encouraged others to weep - this was many years after her death (the Prophet's mother died when he was at the age of six). Likewise, after the Uhud battle, when burying one of his companions, 'Uthman ibn Madh'um', the prophet Muhammad saw also shed tears. Again, when giving the news of the death of Ja'far and his companions in the battle against the Romans, he spoke with tears streaming down his face.

Although, wailing, eulogizing and tearing one's clothes are still common among some Muslims, such conduct is discouraged in Islam. A few words are allowed to be said when crying over a deceased person, but words should be true and not accompanied by wailing and expressions of dissatisfaction with the decree of God.

For instance, when the Prophet’s son, Ibrahim, died, the prophet said' We are very sad for your death, O Ibrahim', This is not an indication of discontent with the decree of God or complaining against Him

Individuals are encouraged to talk about and remember their loved one and recall the good deeds of their life. Prophet Muhammad saw himself never forgot his love for his beloved wife, Khadijah, even years after her death.

Muslims also believe that Allah swt appoints a time for each person to pass from this existence into the next and that death is inevitable and will take place when the time is right and there is after death life. The tragedy of a person's death is not the end of the story, hence to the majority of Muslims, it is illogical to grieve the loss of some who have simply left this world and gone to other life. Although it is an unquestionable and held belief that the next life will come, it is still unhealthy to skip over the tragedy and feeling of loss too rapidly.

Muslims are advised to turn to Allah swt in their time of distress and grief. The use of religious parables, the life story of the prophet Muhammad saw and the multiple losses of his loved ones, are all beneficial when dealing with grief, as are Hadith and 'surah' from the Quran such as:

'He guides to Himself those who turn to Him in penitence, those who believe and whose heart has rest in the remembrance of Allah. Verily in remembrance of Allah, do hearts find rest. ' (Qur'an 13:27-28)

COPING WITH DEATH OF LOVED ONES

My father just lost his best friend two days ago….. at the age of 70, my father told me that his friend was the only living soul that he could talk and share all his feelings to…they were close since 30 years ago…and he took the loss quite badly….

Since we are all humans and the fact of life remains….all living things must die one day…only that we do not know…when and how…

If one suffers death of someone whom he dearly loved, then he should remember that our children, spouses, parents, friends, and other family members are but trusts from Allah swt. A wife is a trust to her husband while her husband is a trust to her. A child is a trust to his/her parents while the parents are a trust to the child. As these trusts provide us with comfort and support, Allah swt tests us to see how we deal with them and how we take care of these trusts. He reserves the right to take back these trusts, and He does so when the term He sets for a trust expires. The Prophet saw consoled his daughter when her baby was sick as saying:

Whatever Allah takes away or gives, belongs to Him, and everything has a fixed term (in this world). (Bukhari and Muslim)

Therefore, one should not show despair or displeasure at Allah swt but remain calm and patient even at the death of his or her dearest one.

Imam Muslim narrates a hadith about a female Companion of the Prophet saw that is a paramount example of patience and faith. To reproduce the hadith briefly, her name was Umm Sulaim. One of her sons was very sick while her husband, Abu Talha, was away in business. The son eventually died, and she told her family members not to tell this to her husband when he returns until she breaks this to him herself. When Abu Talha returned, she presented the supper before him and he ate. She then beautified herself in the best way like she never did before.

After they had spend the night together and Abu Talha was satisfied, she told him, “O Abu Talha! If some people borrow something from another family who then ask for that to be returned, should they refuse to give it back?”

He replied, “No”.

“Then”, she said, “hope reward for your son”.

Abu Talha immediately understood that their son was dead.

After burying his son in the morning, he went tothe Prophet saw and told him the matter. The Prophet saw said, “May Allah bless the night you spent together.” It turned out that she conceived that night. When the child was born, the Prophet saw blessed him and named him “Abdullah”. Bukhari’s version of the hadith says that Abdullah had nine sons, each of whom memorized the entire Quran.

When a mother suffers the death of her child, there is no one in this world who can come close to feeling her grief and sorrow. And yet, this otherwise unknown Companion of the Prophet saw remained patient with Allah swt asshe correctly understood the philosophy of life and death.

The reward for such patience with Allah swt at the death of a beloved one is Paradise. Allah swt says in a hadith qudsi:

I have no reward other than paradise for a believing slave of mine who remains patient for My sake when I take away his beloved one from among the inhabitants of the world.(Bukhari)