Trials

by Imâm al-Haram Usâmah Khayyat

Safar 2, 1424 (April 4, 2003)

All praise is due to Allâh, Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings of Allâh be upon the Messenger of Allâh, his household and companions.

Fellow Muslims! Fear Allâh and put your trust in Him. Have good opinion of Him and call on Him in fear and hope. Remember your stand before Him on the Day of Resurrection;
  “That Day shall a man flee from his brother, and from his mother and his father, and from his wife and his children. Everyman that Day will have enough to make him careless of others.” (‘Abasa 80:34-37)  

Dear Muslims! It is during calamities and afflictions that some people get confused and issues become muddled up in their heads. This then makes them hesitate to say the truth that they know. It is in this situation that false rumours become widespread, that facts are turned upside down and random judgments that have no basis are passed.

A Muslim sometimes forgets that Allâh has decreed that He will be testing His servants from time to time. But how can he forget that while he reads this reality every time in the Book of Allâh. Allâh says,

  “Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allâh will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allâh knows all that before putting them to test).” (Al-‘Ankabût 29:2-3)  

Allâh also says,

  “You shall certainly be tried and tested in your wealth and properties and in your personal selves, and you shall certainly hear much that will grieve you from those who received the Scripture before you (Jews and Christians) and from those who ascribe partners to Allâh; but if you persevere patiently, and become pious then verily, that will be a determining factor in all affairs (and that is from the great matters which you must hold on with all your efforts).” (Aal ‘Imrân 3:186)  

Brethren in faith! It is the way of Allâh from which He excludes even none of His Prophets and Messengers. He rather makes the Messengers the most afflicted. Saطad bin Abî Waqqâs said:

  “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allâh! Who is tested with the most severe afflictions?’ The Messenger of Allâh answered: “They are the Prophets and then those who are closer to them in merits.” (At-Tirmidhî)

Man is tested in accordance with the strength of his religion. If he is strong in religion, his trials become greater and if he is weak in religion he will be tested according to his weakness. So man will in any case be afflicted with trials until he walks on the land with no more sins left on him.

The Messenger of Allâh had been afflicted with many calamities that are known to all. His people persecuted him, called him a liar, mocked him and prevented others from accepting his call. They expelled him, waged wars against him and instigated others to hurt him. They even invaded the city to which he migrated and attempted to annihilate him and his religion. While in he was in Al-Madînah, the Jews and the hypocrites plotted against him. They reneged on their covenants with him and entered into an alliance with the polytheists to fight him. They even attempted to assassinate him.

The Messenger of Allâh was therefore like the Prophets who came before him in terms of bearing trials and afflictions with perseverance. He fought in the way of Allâh sincerely and as it was due until victory came to him and people started embracing the religion of Allâh in groups. The light of guidance then filled the world and the illuminations of îmân filled the hearts. He thereafter died after he had contentedly fulfilled his mission; leaving behind for his ummah two things that would never let them go astray if they hold unto them: the Book of Allâh and his Sunnah.

Brethren in faith! It was not a surprise that the Messenger of Allâh and other Prophets were so patient and persevering in the face of calamities that afflicted them, because they certainly know that Allâh had not decreed these trials on his servants in order to destroy them. They knew that Allâh ordained the trials for great wisdoms and immense benefits.

Among the benefits is that Allâh tests the patience of His servants so as to know if he is eligible to be among His successful friends. If he therefore perseveres, Allâh chooses him, honours him and makes him among His favoured slaves.

But if he turns against Allâh and is displeased on account of the trial, Allâh becomes annoyed at him and increases him in punishment.

Patience is the greatest gift that man can have. The Messenger of Allâh said,

  “No one is given a gift greater than patience.”

Among the wisdoms of trials is the realization of the worship of Allâh. For Allâh trains His servants with both prosperity and adversity in other to make them worship Him in all conditions. For the real servant of Allâh is the one who worships Him at all times. As for the one who worships Allâh only during times of prosperity, that one only worships Allâh temporarily and he cannot therefore be regarded among the sincere worshippers of Allâh.

Fellow Muslims! Trials are signs of îmân and indications of sincerity and truthful submission to Allâh. They are like the effective medicine from a compassionate physician who knows what is good for his patient. The wise patient must therefore patiently and submissively use the medicine with no complaint so that the benefit of the medicine may not turn to harm. Allâh says,

  “It may be that you dislike a thing and Allâh brings through it a great deal of good.” (An-Nisâ 4:19)  

The Muslim must therefore remain steadfast whenever there is a calamity.

There are some factors that help in steadfastness. Among these are:

- Taking sincere refuge with Allâh.

- Having trust in Him.

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Returning to Him in repentance by abandoning all sins. ‘Alî bin Abî Tâlib said:

  “No calamity befalls except as a result of a sin and it will be removed except through sincere repentance.”

- Having good opinion of fellow Muslims especially the rulers and the scholars. This is by giving their words and actions the best possible interpretations.

- Referring to the scholars for unclear issues.

- Refraining from being self-righteous and opinionated.

- Not to be influenced by false analyses of biased people.

- Keeping away from engaging in rumours from which the Messenger of Allâh prohibited his ummah when he said,

  “Allah has forbidden you from being undutiful to your mothers, from withholding (what you should give) or demanding (what you do not deserve) and from burying your daughters alive. And Allah dislikes that you talk too much about others, or ask too many questions (in religion), or waste your property.” (Al-Bukhârî and Muslim)

Talking too much includes saying all that one hears. The Messenger of Allâh said

  , “It is enough a lie (or a sin) for someone to talk about all that he hears.” (Muslim and Abû Dâwûd)

Though the Muslim must follow all these instructions at all times, he must follow them with greater emphasis during times of crises and trials. Allâh says,

  “Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, "When (will come) the Help of Allâh?" Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allâh is near!” (Al-Baqarah 2:214)  

Fellow Muslims! Fear Allâh and know that you are going to meet Him. Be conscious of Him in private and public and worship Him with all sincerity. Let your belief in His Oneness materialize in your acts of worship. That is the guarantee for prosperity in this world and safety in the Hereafter. Know also that the best speech is the Word of Allâh and the best guidance is that of the Prophet. The worst of all affairs are the innovations and every innovation is error and every error leads to Hell. Keep to the community of the Muslims; For Allâh’s help is always with the congregation.

Whoever isolates himself has cast himself into the Fire.