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Category: Patience (Sabr)

Patience and Perseverance

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Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 3
Patience and Perseverance

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“O you who believe! Endure and be more patient..”. (3:200)

“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirun (the patient)”.  (2:155)

“Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning.” (39:10)

“And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives, that would truly be from the things recommended by Allah.” (42:43)

“Seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayer). Truly, Allah is with As-Sabirun (the patient).” (2:153)

“And surely, We shall try you till We test those who strive hard (for the Cause of Allah) and As-Sabirun (the patient)” (47:31)

There are numerous Verses of the Noble Qur’an inculcating patience and extolling it.

25. Abu Malik Al-Harith bin Asim Al-Ash`ar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Wudu’ is half of Salah; the utterance of  (Al-hamdu lillah – all praise belongs to Allah) fills the Scales of good actions; the utterance of (Subhan Allah wa Al-hamdu lillah) (Allah is far removed from every imperfection and all praise belongs to Allah) fills the space between the heavens and the earth, and Salat (prayer) is light; and charity is the proof of Faith; and endurance is light, and the Qur’an is a plea in your favour or against you. Every person departs; he either ransoms it or puts it into perdition”.
[Muslim].

26. Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: Certain people of the Ansar asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and he gave them; then they again asked him and he gave them until all what he possessed was exhausted. Then the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whatever wealth I have, I will not withhold from you. Whosoever would be chaste and modest; Allah will keep him chaste and modest and whosoever would seek self-sufficiency, Allah will make him self-sufficient; and whosoever would be patient, Allah will give him patience, and no one is granted a gift better and more comprehensive than patience”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

27. Abu Yahya Suhaib bin Sinan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him”.
[Muslim].

28. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the last illness of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) made him unconscious, Fatimah (May Allah be pleased with her) exclaimed: “Ah, the distress of my dear father.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There will be no distress for your father after today”. When he died she said: “My father, Allah has called you back and you have responded to His Call. O father! Garden of Firdaus is your abode. O father! We announce to Jibril your death.” When he was buried, she said: “Are you satisfied now that you put earth over (the grave of) Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)?”
[Al-Bukhari]

29. Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with them) narrated: The daughter of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sent for him as her child was dying, but the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) returned the messenger and sent her good wishes saying, “Whatever Allah takes away or gives, belongs to Him, and everything with Him has a limited fixed term (in this world), and so she should be patient and anticipate Allah’s reward.” She again sent for him adjuring him for the sake of Allah to come. The Messenger of Allah, accompanied with Sa`d bin `Ubadah, Mu`adh bin Jabal, Ubayy bin Ka`b, Zaid bin Thabit and some other men went to see her. The child was lifted up to the Messenger of Allah while his breath was disturbed in his chest. On seeing that, the eyes of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) streamed with tears. Sa`d said, “O Messenger of Allah! What is this?” He replied, “It is compassion which Allah has placed in the hearts of His slaves, Allah is Compassionate only to those among His slaves who are compassionate (to others)”.

  Another version says: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah shows compassion only to those among His slaves who are compassionate”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

30. Suhaib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There lived a king before you and he had a court magician. As he (the magician) grew old, he said to the king: `I have grown old, so send me a young boy in order to teach him magic.’ The king sent him a young boy to serve the purpose. And on his way (to the magician) the young boy met a monk to whom he listened to and liked it. It became his habit that on his way to the magician, he would meet the monk and sit there and would come to the magician (late). The magician used to beat him because of this delay. He complained about this to the monk who said to him: ‘When you feel afraid of the magician, say: Members of my family detained me. And when you fear your family, say: The magician detained me.’ It so happened that there came a huge beast and it blocked the way of the people, and the young boy said: ‘I will know today whether the magician or the monk is better.’ He picked up a stone and said: `O Allah, if the way of the monk is dearer to You than the way of the magician, bring about death to the animal so that the people be able to move about freely.’ He threw that stone at it and killed it and the people began to move about freely. He then came to the monk and told him the story. The monk said: `Son, today you are superior to me. You have come to a stage where I feel that you would be soon put to a trial, and in case you are put to a trial, do not reveal me.’ That young boy began to heal those born blind and the lepers and he, in fact, began to cure people from all kinds of illnesses. When a courtier of the king who had gone blind heard about him, he came to him with numerous gifts and said, `If you cure me, all these things will be yours.’ He said, `I myself do not cure anyone. It is Allah, the Exalted, Alone Who cures; and if you affirm faith in Allah, I shall also supplicate to Allah to cure you.’ This courtier affirmed his faith in Allah and Allah cured him. He came to the king and sat by his side as he used to sit before. The king said to him, `Who restored your eyesight?’ He said, `My Rubb.’ Thereupon he said, ‘Do you have another lord besides me?’ He said, `My Rubb and your Rubb is Allah.’ So the king kept torturing him untill he revealed the young boy. The young boy was thus summoned and the king said to him, ‘O boy, it has been conveyed to me that you have become so much proficient in your magic that you cure the blind and the lepers and you do such and such.’ Thereupon he said, `I do not cure anyone; it is Allah Alone Who cures,’ and the king took hold of him and began to torture him until he revealed of the monk. The monk was summoned and it was said to him: `You should turn back from your religion.’ But he refused. The king sent for a saw, placed it in the middle of his head and cut him into two parts that fell down. Then the courtier of the king was brought forward and it was said to him: `Turn back from your religion.’ He, too, refused, and the saw was placed in the midst of his head and he was torn into two parts. Then the boy was sent for and it was said to him: `Turn back from your religion.’ He refused. The king then handed him over to a group of his courtiers, and said to them: `Take him to such and such mountain; make him climb up that mountain and when you reach its peak ask him to renounce his Faith. If he refuses to do so, push him to his death.’ So they took him and made him climb up the mountain and he said: `O Allah, save me from them in any way you like,’ and the mountain began to shake and they all fell down (dead) and that young boy came walking to the king. The king said to him, `What happened to your companions?’ He said, `Allah has saved me from them.’ He again handed him to some of his courtiers and said: `Take him and carry him in a boat and when you reach the middle of the sea, ask him to renounce his religion. If he does not renounce his religion throw him (into the water).’ So they took him and he said: `O Allah, save me from them.’ The boat turned upside down and they all drowned except the young boy who came walking to the king. The king said to him, `What happened to your companions?’ He said, `Allah has saved me from them,’ and he said to the king: `You cannot kill me until you do what I command you to do.’ The king asked, `What is that?’ He said, `Gather all people in one place and tie me up to the trunk of a tree, then take an arrow from my quiver and say: With the Name of Allah, the Rubb of the boy; then shoot me. If you do that you will be able to kill me.’ `The king called the people in an open field and tied the young boy to the trunk of a tree. He took out an arrow from his quiver, fixed in the bow and said, `With the Name of Allah, the Rubb of the young boy,’ he then shot the arrow and it hit the boy’s temple. The young boy placed his hand upon the temple where the arrow had hit him and died. The people then said: `We believe in the Rubb of this young boy.’ The king was told: `Do you see what you were afraid of, by Allah it has taken place; all people have believed.’ The king then commanded that trenches be dug and fire lit in them, and said: `He who would not turn back from his (the young boy’s) religion,  throw him in the fire’ or `he would be ordered to jump into it.’ They did so till a woman came with her child. She felt hesitant in jumping into the fire. The child said to her: `O mother! Endure (this ordeal) for you are on the Right Path”.
[Muslim].

31. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) passed by a woman who was crying over a grave and said, “Fear Allah and be patient.” She said, “Away from me! My calamity has not befallen you and you are not aware of it.” The woman was later told that it was the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) (who had advised her). She came to his door where she found no doorkeeper. She said, “(I am sorry) I did not know you.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Patience is (becoming) only at the first (stroke) of grief”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration in Muslim says: The woman was crying over her son.

32. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah, the Exalted, says: ‘I have no reward other than Jannah 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”.
[Al-Bukhari].

33. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) about pestilence and he said, “It is a punishment which Allah sends upon whomsoever He wills, but Allah has made it as a mercy to the believers. Anyone who remains in a town which is plagued with pestilence maintaining patience expecting the reward from Allah, and knowing that nothing will befall him other than what Allah has foreordained for him, he would receive a reward of Shaheed”.
[Al-Bukhari].

34. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Allah, the Glorious and Exalted said: `When I afflict my slave in his two dear things (i.e., his eyes), and he endures patiently, I shall compensate him for them with Jannah.”.
[Al-Bukhari].

35. `Ata’ bin Abu Rabah reported: Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) asked him whether he would like that he should show him a woman who is from the people Jannah. When he replied that he certainly would, he said, “This black woman, who came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said, `I suffer from epilepsy and during fits my body is exposed, so make supplication to Allah for me.’ He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied: ‘If you wish you endure it patiently and you be rewarded with Jannah, or if you wish, I shall make supplication to Allah to cure you?‘ She said, ‘I shall endure it.’ Then she added: `But my body is exposed, so pray to Allah that it may not happen.’ He (Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)) then supplicated for her”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

36. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I can still recall as if I am seeing the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) resembling one of the Prophets whose people scourged him and shed his blood, while he wiped blood from his face, he said: “O Allah! Forgive my people, because they certainly do not know”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

37. Abu Sa`id and Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Never a believer is stricken with a discomfort, an illness, an anxiety, a grief or mental worry or even the pricking of a thorn but Allah will expiate his sins on account of his patience”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

38. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I visited the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when he was suffering fever. I said, “You seem to be suffering greatly, O Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Yes, I suffer as much as two persons.” I said, “Is that because you have a double reward?” He replied that that was so and then said, “No Muslim is afflicted by a harm, be it the pricking of a thorn or something more (painful than that), but Allah thereby causes his sins to fall away just as a tree sheds its leaves”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

39.  Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “He whom Allah intends good, He makes him to suffer from some affliction”.
[Al-Bukhari].

40. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Let not one of you wish for death because of a misfortune which befalls him. If  he cannot help doing so, he should say: ‘O Allah, keep me alive as long as You know that life is better for me, and make me die when death is better for me”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

41. Khabbab bin Al-Aratt (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We complained to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) regarding the persecution inflicted upon us by the disbelievers while he was lying in the shade of the Ka`bah, having made a pillow of his cloak. We submitted: “Why do you not supplicate for our prevalence (over the opponents)?”. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Among those people before you, a man would be seized and held in a pit dug for him in the ground and he would be sawed into two halves from his head, and his flesh torn away from his bones with an iron comb; but, in spite of this, he would not wean away from his Faith. By Allah, Allah will bring this matter to its consummation until a rider will travel from San`a’ to Hadramout fearing none except Allah, and except the wolf for his sheep, but you are in too much of a hurry”.
[Al-Bukhari].

Another narration is: He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had placed his cloak under his head and we had been tortured by the polytheists.

42. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: After the battle of Hunain, Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) favoured some people in the distribution of spoils (for consolation). He gave Al-Aqra` bin Habis and `Uyainah bin Hisn a hundred camels each and showed favour also to some more honourable persons among the Arabs. Someone said: “This division is not based on justice and it was not intended to win the Pleasure of Allah.” I said to myself: “By Allah! I will inform Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) of this.” I went to him and informed him. His face became red and he said, “Who will do justice if Allah and His Messenger do not?” Then he said, “May Allah have mercy on (Prophet) Musa (Moses); he was caused more distress than this but he remained patient.” Having heard this I said to myself: “I shall never convey anything of this kind to him in future”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

43. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “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.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

44. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: One of the sons of Abu Talhah (May Allah be pleased with him) was ailing. Abu Talhah went out and the boy died in his absence. When he came back, he inquired, “How is the boy?”. Umm Sulaim, the mother of the boy, replied, “Better than before”. Then she placed his evening meal before him and he ate it; and thereafter slept with her. At last, she said to him: “Arrange for the burial of the boy”. In the morning, Abu Talhah went to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and informed him of the event. He enquired, “Did you sleep together last night?” Abu Talhah replied in the affirmative, on which the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) supplicated, “O Allah bless them.” Thereafter, she gave birth to a boy. Abu Talhah said to me: “Take up the boy and carry him to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)”;  and he sent some dates with him. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) enquired, “Is there anything with him?” He said; “Yes, some dates”. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) took a date, chewed it and put it in the mouth of the baby and rubbed the chewed date around the baby’s gum and named him `Abdullah.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The narration in Bukhari adds: Ibn `Uyainah relates that a man from the Ansar told him that he had seen nine sons of this `Abdullah, every one of whom had committed the Noble Qur’an to memory.

The narration of Muslim says: The son of Abu Talhah (May Allah be pleased with him) who was born of Umm Sulaim died. She (Umm Sulaim) said to the members of the family: “Do not tell Abu Talhah about his son until I mention it to him myself.” Abu Talhah came (home) and she gave him supper. He ate and drank. She then beautified herself the best way she ever did and he slept with her. When she saw that he was satisfied after sexual intercourse with her, she said, “O Abu Talhah! If some people borrow something from another family and then (the members of the family) ask for its return, would they refuse to give it back to them.” He said, “No”. She said, “Then hope reward for your son”. Abu Talhah got angry, and said; “You left me uninformed until I stained myself (with sexual intercourse) and then you told me about my son. “He went to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and informed him about the matter. Thereupon Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “May Allah bless the night you spent together!” He (the narrator) said: She conceived. (One day) Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was in the course of a journey and she was along with him. When Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to come back to Al-Madinah from a journey, he would not enter it (during the night). When the people came near Al-Madinah, she felt labour pains. He (Abu Talhah) remained with her and Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) proceeded on. Abu Talhah said: “O Rubb, You know that I love to go along with Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when he goes out and enter along with him when he enters, and I have been detained as You see.” Umm Sulaim then said: “O Abu Talhah, I do not feel (so much pain) as I was feeling earlier, so we better proceed on. So we proceeded on and she felt the labour of delivery as they reached (Al-Madinah). She gave birth to a male child. My mother said to me: “O Anas, none should suckle him until you go to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) tomorrow  morning.” The next morning I carried the baby with me to Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and narrated the rest of the story.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

45. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The strong man is not one who is good at wrestling, but the strong man is one who controls himself in a fit of rage.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

46. Sulaiman bin Surad (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I was sitting with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when two men began to quarrel and curse each other and the face of one of them turned red and the veins of his neck were swollen (from rage). Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “I know of a word, if he were to utter that, his rage would vanish and that is: A`udhu billahi minash-Shaitan nir-rajim (I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed).” So they (Companions) said to him: “The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) tells you to utter: ‘I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed”.
[Al-Bukhariand Muslim].

47. Mu`adh bin Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The one who suppresses anger and has the power to give effect to it, will be called out by Allah, the Exalted, to the forefront of the creatures on the Day of  Resurrection and he will be asked to choose any of the virgins (Hur) of his liking”.
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

48. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man asked the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) for an advice and he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not get angry”. The man repeated that several times and he replied, “Do not get angry”.
[Al-Bukhari].

49. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A Muslim, male or female, continues to remain under trial in respect of his life, property and offspring until he faces Allah, the Exalted, with no sin record”.
[At-Tirmidhi].

50. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: ‘Uyainah bin Hisn came to Al-Madinah and stayed with his nephew Hurr bin Qais who was among those whom Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) showed favour to. The knowledgeable people (Qurra’), whether they were old or young, had the privilege of joining Umar’s council and he used to consult them. ‘Uyainah said to Hurr: “My nephew, the Leader of the Believers shows favour to you. Will you obtain permission for me to sit with him?” Hurr asked `Umar and he accorded permission. When `Uyainah came into the presence of `Umar, he addressed him thus: “O son of Khattab, you neither bestow much on us nor deal with us justly.” `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) got angry and was about to beat him up when Hurr said: “O Leader of the Believers, Allah said to His Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): ‘ Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e., don’t punish them).’ (7:199) This one is from the ignorants. When Hurr recited this, `Umar became quite motionless in his seat. He always adhered strictly to the Book of Allah.
[Al-Bukhari].

51. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “You will see after me favouritism and things which you will disapprove of.” They submitted: “What do you order us to do (under such circumstances)?” He replied, “Discharge your obligations and ask your rights from Allah”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

52. Usaid bin Hudhair (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that: A person from among the Ansar said, “O Messenger of Allah! You appointed such and such person and why do you not appoint me?” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “After me you will see others given preference to you, but you should remain patient till you meet me at the Haud (Al-Kauthar in Jannah)”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

53. `Abdullah bin Abu Aufa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) at one time when he confronted the enemy, and was waiting for the sun to set, stood up and said, “O people! Do not long for encountering  the enemy and supplicate to Allah to grant you security. But when you face the enemy, show patience and steadfastness; and keep it in mind that Jannah lies under the shade of the swords.” Then he invoked Allah, saying, “O Allah, Revealer of the Book, Disperser of the clouds, Defeater of the Confederates, put our enemy to rout and help us in over-powering them”.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Ramadhaan : The Month Of Patience – Abu Muhammad Al-Maghribee [Audio|En]

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Taken from one of the works of our noble sheikh, Abdur-Razzaaq ibn Abdil-Muhsin al-Badr, hafidhahum Allah.

Listen / Download Mp3 Here (Time 01:02:51)
[audio https://salafiaudio.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/ramadhaan-the-month-of-patience-abu-muhammad-al-maghribee.mp3]

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The Greater The Hardship The Greater The Reward : Abu Uwais Abdullaah Ali

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Abu Uwais Abdullaah Ali [Rahimahullah] – Transcribed Lecture

Khutubatul-Haajah …..

The greater the hardship, or trial or tribulation the greater the reward. The greater the difficulty the greater the reward. The greater the trial or tribulation or difficulty that you are put through the greater the reward will be for you and for me from Allah (Tabarak wa ta’ala).
If Allah loves a people, He puts them to trial, He tests them and places them in difficulty. Allah the Exalted states in Surah Baqarah :

“We will test you with something of fear, and hunger and loss of wealth, and souls and vegetation. And give glad tidings to those who have patience. Those who if in any difficulty or trial, or tribulation occurs to them or happens to them, they say: ‘Verily We are from Allah and to Allah we return.’ They are those who will receive prayers from their Lord and Mercy and it is those who are guided.”

The great reward is in accordance to how great o­nes trial, difficulty or test is. The greater the test and trial, the greater the reward. And everyone must have tests and everyone will have problems & trials and everyone will be put to difficulty, everyone will have moments of grief, moments of sadness moments when things are not as they feel or would like them to be. But the difference is the believer is patient, the believer believes in the decree of Allaah, the believer seeks the reward of Allaah (subhana wa ta’ala) at that time.

The believer praises Allah. The believer will be rewarded in his time of difficulty. The believer has burns and the Kaafir has burns. The believer needs an operation and a Kaafir needs an operation. The believer loses a mother and a Kaafir loses a mother. The believer loses his wife and the Kaafir will lose his wife. Everyone experiences difficulty. Everyone experiences trials and tribulations but the believer because of what Allaah (subhana wa ta’ala) has given him of Imaan and for what he has of patience and being pleased with the decree of Allaah, and seeking a reward from Allaah and seeing the wisdom of Allaah (subhana wa ta’ala) in his difficulty, he will be raised and he will receive great rewards.

Abu Dawud mentions in the Sunnan, related by Ahmad :
It is in the Saheehah (when you hear as-Saheehah it means it is authenticated by Shaikh Naasir ud-Din al-Albaani in his authentic books of narrations – Hadith No. 959) :The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said :

“This my Ummah, is a Ummah that has mercy upon it, ‘Marhooma’- a Ummah that has mercy that’s been wrapped in Mercies; there is no punishment for this Ummah in the Hereafter except their punishment that they experience in the Dunya — killing and death and dying, trials and tribulations, earthquakes and the like.” And the wording of Abu Dawud is : ‘This Ummah reminds of the Ummah, that Allaah has placed His mercy upon. This Ummah will not have any punishment in the Hereafter, this punishment is in this world with fitn, trials, tribulations and punishments and difficulties, and earthquakes and killings, murder, death.. like this.

‘As recorded in Buhari and Muslim: The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said :

“Whoever Allah wants good for him, he puts them to test. He puts them through difficulties. Like a diamond or some metal that has to be burnt and then that which is bad from it is removed so that you have that which is the pure diamond or the pure gold or whatever. Put them to tests, trials and difficulties.”

As narrated by Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah : (This is the Hadith that we started with) – The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said :

‘The greater reward is with the greater trial or the greater the trial or difficulty of test or hardship is then the greater the reward. And when Allah loves a person He will tests them. So he who will be pleased and then He will be pleased. He who is displeased, then He will be displeased.'(Sahaba’s name not clear) ‘The people as long as they are in good health, good shape, good condition they are covered. You don’t know their true character because they are in good situation, they are in good circumstance. As long as they are in a good circumstances they are covered. But if a trial or difficulty or a hardship comes upon them, then you will see their reality. They will go to their reality. The Mu’min will run to his Imaan, the Mu’min will run to his belief, the believer will run to his belief, his Imaan and the hypocrite will run to his hypocrisy, and the hypocrite will run to his hypocrisy. “Without being shaken, you don’t not know what comes to the top and what goes to the bottom. Without being shaken you don’t know a man from those who are faking; you won’t know women from those who are faking. You won’t know those who truly believe from those who don’t. Those who make a claim o­n their tongue and is not really in their hearts and from their limbs from those who are willing to die for this matter. This can o­nly be shown by trials, the tribulations and tests and difficulties.”

Imam Ahmed brought it and Sheikh Nassir brings in his Saheehah No. 147 : Suhaib said that, ‘we were sitting with the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and suddenly he laughed. Suddenly the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) laughed. He asked his companions: ‘Won’t you ask me what I am laughing about?.’ So they asked the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) ‘what are you laughing about ?’ So he said : ‘I laughed because I was astonished at the affair of a believer.’ (Listen these are words of Musthafa alaihi salam. He doesn’t speak of his own desires whatever he speaks it is revelation; Listen, these are words of Rasulullah describing a believer.). All of his affairs, all of his circumstances are good, all of it. If something happens to him that he loves, if Allah blesses him with something that he loves, then he praises Allaah and this is good. And if something happens to him, if he is put into some difficulty, test or tribulation or hardship or something that he hates, he is patient and that is good for him. And no o­ne’s situation is totally good except the believer. And no o­ne else’s affair, no o­ne else’s circumstance, no o­ne else’s condition, no o­ne else’s situation is totally good except the mu’min, except the believer.’

‘The o­nes who received the most difficulty, and went through the most hardship were the beloved people to Allaah — the prophets. Allah loved them more than the rest of mankind or creatures. He tested them. He put them through test , he put them through hardship, he put them through difficulties. Listen to this narration of Ibn Majah and Sheikh Nassir also brings in his Saheehah No. 144 : (Sahaba’s name not clear) “I entered upon the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) before he passed away whilst he was suffering having a fever — I placed my hand upon him and I felt the heat from above the blanket, I felt the heat of his fever from above the blanket. I said : ‘O Messenger of Allaah, how hard it is upon you.’ The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) said : ‘Yes, it is like that. Trials and tribulations, hardships and difficulties are doubled and multiplied and increased for us prophets. But also the reward, the blessing, the level that he is raised with Allaah upon is also multiplied and increased for him.’ I said : ‘O Messenger of Allaah who are most put through difficulty? Who are the people who are most tested? Who goes through the most trials and tribulation O’ Messenger of Allaah?’ He said : ‘The prophets, then the righteous (saalihun)’ ,

some of them are tested with clothing, some of them are tested with no clothing except an abaya that they place around their bodies, nothing else. But o­ne of them used to be so happy when he was put to trial or test like you see enjoyment and pleasure and contentment through ease. They were happy with trials and tribulations like you are happy with ease.”Allaah the Exalted states in Surah Al-Zumar:

“Verily the patient will get their reward without it being estimated, without it being calculated. It can’t be counted. O­ne is waiting for reward, for that o­ne who is patient.”

As-Sabr, patience Akhee Msulim, my brother Muslim, upon when you are put to trial, upon when you are put to test, upon when you go through sadness, upon when you go through hardship, upon when you go through difficulties, patience – As Sabr, then it is a sign that you are upon Khair. It is the sign that you are upon good. It is a distinguishing characteristic, or it is a distinguishing matter that shows that you are upon good. It is narrated in Abu Dawud :

‘Then it is saheeh, the happy o­ne, is the o­ne who can avoid trials and tribulations especially those that lead him astray or take him away from his deen, but the o­ne who is tested and is patient, so greater reward for him, unimaginable reward for him.’

Also it has been related by Bukhari and Muslim : Abbas said to Ibn Rabah :

“Shall I show you o­ne of the women of Jannah? Saudah, this black woman who told the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) : Verily I have seizures and I become uncovered, make dua to Allaah for me.’ The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: If you are patient you will have Jannah. And if you want I’ll make dua for you that you be healthy. She said : ‘I’ll be patient, I’ll be patient but make sure that I don’t become uncovered.’ So the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) made dua to Allaah that she does not become uncovered.’

This is how the Salaf were. Because of this some of the salafs used to say : If a difficulty happens to you, a hardship happens to you, if you are put to trial and tested and you are patient, then you have got o­nly o­ne difficulty. You have o­nly got o­ne hardship. You have o­nly got o­ne problem. Whenever a difficulty or hardship or trial comes your way and you are not patient, then you have two problems, and two hardships. And particularly if it is a loss of a child, or a loss of a loved o­ne. You are not patient with that then you have two difficulties.

The loss of the o­ne you love plus the loss of the reward you would have got if you had been patient. To be patient upon the tests, and the trials, and the hardships and the difficulties as a worship for Allaah, is a worship for Allaah. Many of us know that salaah is a worship, Zakah is a worship, and ruku is a worship and sujud is a worship, and reading Quraan is a worship , how many of us know that being patient upon a hardship, upon a sadness , being patient upon a difficulty, upon a test, upon a trial is a worship for Allaah. Allaah says in Surah Al-Hajj (22:11) :

“And among mankind is he who worships Allâh as it were, upon the very edge; if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him, when fitnah comes to him, or a hardship befalls him, if something that brings about grief comes his way, if he is tested, if he is put to the test, when sadness comes his way, if a hardship befalls him, what happens? He flips upon his face. He loses both this world and the Hereafter. There is no doubt that this is the clear loss.”

Walhamdulillah. The greater the test, the greater the reward, the greater the hardship the greater the reward, the greater the difficulty, the greater the reward from Allaah (tabarak wa ta’ala). And the Salaf understood this. Urwah Ibn Zubair, a well known from the Salaf had a problem with his foot. So the doctors decided that they had to cut it off, cut the foot off. When the doctors cut it off he didn’t say anything except these words: ‘O Allaah, for you are Full praise. For if you have taken some, you have left some. And if you have tested, and put through difficulty you have also put in good condition. If you have tested and tried and put through difficulty you have also put good health, good circumstances and good conditions.’The next day his son was riding a horse or mule and fell off of it and died. So they came to Urwah with the information of the death of his son, he didn’t say anything except : ‘O Allaah, for you is full praise. For if you have taken some, you have left some. And if you have tested and tried you have also placed us in good situations and good condition.’ So when he was asked about this he said: ‘I had 4 limbs (meaning 2 arms and 2 legs) and Allaah took some and left some. ‘I had 4 limbs 2 arms and 2 legs Allaah took o­ne and left me three. I had 7 sons, Allaah (tabrak wa tala) took o­ne and left six. And he gave me good condition, or good situation my whole life up until this time. Then he tested me. Should I not praise Allaah for that? Should I not praise Allaah for that?’

Tests, trials, difficulties, hardships, grief, sadness, pain it raises the level of the believer. It raises the level of the believer. It is an expiation for sins. It removes sins, these difficulties and it raises o­ne’s level higher with Allaah. Raises o­ne’s level higher, places o­ne in His station or circumstance that he might not have met, he would never have reached if he had not gone through that test. It is related in Saheeh also Muhammad bin Khalid Abi An Jaddi, his grandfather was a companion that he went out visiting a brother. Then he heard that the brother was sick. So he entered upon the brother and he said : ‘I came to you as a visitor, and now I am also o­ne visiting the sick and also someone giving you glad tidings.’ The person said: ‘how do you gather all this, i.e. somebody who is a visitor, somebody who is visiting a sick, somebody who is giving glad tidings? How do you gather all that?’He said : ‘I came out, I wanted to visit you, it reached me that you were sick, then it became that I am visiting the sick person also I give you glad tidings of something that I heard from the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) : If Allaah (subhana wa ta’ala) has decreed or wants for his servant a certain Manzala, a certain position in the Jannah, a high position in the Jannah, and the servant is not going to reach it, he’s going like he’s going, he’s not going to reach it, Allaah (subhana wa ta’ala) would test him, put him through hardships, would put him through difficulty regarding his body – may be he will get sick or something; or regarding his wealth – may be he will lose something; or regarding his children — may be o­ne of them will pass away or become sick or whatever. So that this person can become patient, have this Ibadah of worship, then what ? So that this person can reach the position that Allah wanted him to reach. So that he can reach the position Allaah wanted for him.

Same Hadith : ‘Who are the people who will receive the most difficulties, trials and tribulations? He said: the prophets, then those most like them, then like them, a man will be tested in accordance with his deen. A man will go through difficulties in according with his deen. A man will go through hardship in according with his deen. A man will experience sadness and grief in accordance with his deen. If his deen is strong, then his difficulties will be great. His trials will be hard. If he has in his deen some ease, or some lightness then he will be tested in accordance with the likeness of his deen. Because trials and tests want leave a servant until his sins are forgiven. That is, because the servant, he undergoes so many trials and tests, his sins are forgiven and it will be as if he is walking upon the earth without a sin. That he is walking upon the earth without a sin. In another Hadith (listen to this brother) : If you have a difficulty in your life brother, if you have a difficulty in your life sister, if there is some sadness in your household, if you lost a child, if that child has been hurt, if there is a sickness in your family or whatever the case, whatever difficulty or trial, whatever problem you are going through, listen to the words of Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), it will make it clear. Listen to the words of Rasoolullah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), it will cool your heart, it will take you to that which is right, it will correct you, it will guide you, it will increase your faith, and your patience.

“There is no difficulty that happens to a Muslim except that Allaah removes a sin because of it even if a thorn pricks him and even to that degree.”

If Allaah removes to that degree what about some other sadness? Or some other loss or some other trial or some other difficulty? Lastly Abu Huraira (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) that he heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and also Abu Said Al Khudri : ‘No pain, or sickness affects a believer. No tiredness (this is also sickness), or grief nor any worry except that Allaah removes from that person a sin because of it.’

This should tell us to be patient. This should tell us that our pathways are not going to be full with rose petals and life is not always going to give you that which you want or think you deserve, that they are going to come down your way or into your life things that are sad, things that bring you grief, things that bring difficulty but your test is shown, your character is shown, whether you can weather the storm by being patient with the decree of Allaah, in praising Allah (subhana wa ta’ala), in hoping a reward from Allaah (subhana wa ta’ala), for no o­ne can reward what Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) will give the person who has patience. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has granted it and he will grant it without calculation. Will grant it without it being something that we could calculate or imagine. So any difficulty brother reflect upon this issue that is khair for you, is good for you, if you are a believer and if you are patient and if you praise Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) and it is a way to remove your sins and a way that you have no understanding of what Allaah (subhana wa ta’ala) may be preparing you for a better station, a better status in the Hereafter that you would not have reached if He had left you in that state that you were in. But when he tested you, you were patient and therefore Insha-Allaahu wa ta’ala that position or that status will be their Haada

Naseehah (Advice) from Shaykh Hasan Abdul-Wahhaab Al-Bannaa

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Naseehah (Advice) from Shaykh Hasan Abdul-Wahhaab Al-Bannaa
Posted by Abdur-Raqeeb @ http://insightaudio.com/pub/?p=419

As Salaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh. May Allah have mercy upon me, you and all of the Muslims. Aameen.

Once, I entered the masjid for our class with our Shaykh Hasan Abdul-Wahhaab Marzouq Al-Bannaa (may Allah preserve him, and his family upon good), I found him praying. After I offered my prayer of greeting the masjid, I greeted the Shaykh, and kissed his head. We talked about how each of us spent our Eid and the conditions of our families. After this the Shaykh began to drink his tea, which was prepared for him.

I asked the Shaykh, how does one become a strong student, treading the path of seeking knowledge? The Shaykh replied, Patience (Sabr). He said this 3 times. He said patience with Allah, in good and bad times. Patience with yourself, patience with ease and with hardships. Patience with your family and friends. Patience with knowledge. Patience with the Qur’aan. Patience with learning the Arabic language. I thanked the Shaykh and returned to my place of sitting.

After a short while, the Shaykh motioned to me to come to him. He told me, not to waste time. He told me to guard my time from the time wasters. He told me not to waste my time with that which wont bring about any benefit. Guard your time against your desires. Give knowledge all of your time. Tire yourself with seeking knowledge. Do not become distracted by those who want to take your knowledge. Once again I thanked the Shaykh and returned to my place of sitting.

After a short period, the Shaykh motioned to me again to come to him. He told me to engulf myself in reading the Qur’aan. He said to read the Qur’aan in abundance. Over and over and over. He said to read the Qur’aan when you wake from your sleep, read the Qur’aan before you go to bed. The more you read the Qur’aan, the better you will become in the Arabic language. So constantly read the Qur’aan.

He also told me to listen to the tapes of the Ulamaa (major scholars), from the likes of Shaykh Al-Albaanee, Shaykh Al-Uthaymeen, Shaykh Ibn Baaz, and Shaykh Saalih Aali Shaykh.

Later on the Shaykh was asked about the rights of the Qur’aan. Is it better to read it or to memorize it?

He, the Shaykh (may Allah preserve him, and his family) said, one should read the Qur’aan. The Qur’aan is to be read. To memorize it is good. But if it cant be memorized, so read it. Read it in your prayers, before you sleep, when you wake. Before prayer and after prayer. Always have a mushaf (copy of the Qur’aan) near you, everywhere. In Shaa Allah.

May Allah have mercy upon us all.

In times of calamity, people divide into four levels – Shaykh ibn Uthaymeen

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Bismillaah

Q: What is the ruling on one who becomes discontented when he is afflicted by calamity?

A: In times of calamity, people divide into four different levels:

The First Level: Discontent and there are different types of discontent:

1. In the heart, as if he is angry with his Lord, and so he rails against what Allāh has ordained for him, and this is forbidden and could even lead to disbelief. Allāh, the Most High, says:

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ عَلَى حَرْفٍ فَإِنْ أَصَابَهُ خَيْرٌ اطْمَأَنَّ بِهِ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ فِتْنَةٌ انقَلَبَ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ خَسِرَ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةَ ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْخُسْرَانُ الْمُبِينُ

“And among mankind is he who worships Allah as it were upon the edge (i.e. in doubt): if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him he turns back on his face (i.e. reverts to disbelief after embracing Islam). He loses both this world and the Hereafter.” (Al-Hajj 22:11)

2. That it is spoken, such as invoking woe, destruction and the like and this is forbidden.

3. That it is physical, such as striking the cheeks, tearing the clothes and pulling out the hair and the like, and all of this is forbidden, because it negates the patience which is required.

The Second Level: Patience and this is as the poet says:

Patience is like its name, its taste is bitter,

But the end result s of it are sweeter than honey.

So, he considers this burden heavy, yet he bears it, even though he hates that it should occur, and his faith protects him from discontent. So, its occurring or not occurring are not the same to him. This is an obligation, because Allāh, the Most High has commanded him to be patient, saying:

وَاصْبِرُواْ إِنَّ اللّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ

“and be patient. Surely, Allah is with those who are As-Sabirun (the patient).” (Al-Anfal 8:46)

The Third Level: Acceptance: That a person accepts misfortune, so that its presence or absence are the same to him. Its presence is not hard on him, and he does not bear a heavy burden due to it, and this is highly preferred, although not obligatory, according to the most authoritative opinion. The difference between it and the last level is clear, because the presence of misfortune and its absence are the same in the acceptance of this person, whereas in the level before it, misfortune is difficult for him, yet he bears it.

The Fourth Level: Gratitude, and this is the highest level: It is by him thanking Allah for the misfortune which has befallen him, because he knows that this misfortune is a cause of his sins being remitted and  and it might also be a cause of his reward being increased. The Prophet salAllahu alayhi wasallam said:

“There is no misfortune that afflicts a Muslim except that Allah remits a sin from him because of it, even the prick he receives from a thorn.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Transcribed from: Fatawa Arkan-ul-Islam | Islamic Verdicts on the Pillars of Islam, Volume 1 – Creed and Prayer | Shaykh ‘Uthaymeen | Darussalam English Publications

Istirja (Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilahi Raaji’oon) – Tafseer Ibn Katheer

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Tafseer Ibn Katheer – Suratul Baqarah [Surah No.2]

(155. And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirin (the patient).)
(156. Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: “Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.”)
(157. They are those on whom are the Salawat (i.e., who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones.)

Allah informs us that He tests and tries His servants, just as He said in another Ayah:

(And surely, We shall try you till We test those who strive hard (for the cause of Allah) and As-Sabirin (the patient), and We shall test your facts (i.e., the one who is a liar, and the one who is truthful).) (47:31)

Hence, He tests them with the bounty sometimes and sometimes with the afflictions of fear and hunger. Allah said in another Ayah:

(So Allah made it taste extreme of hunger (famine) and fear.) (16:112)

The frightened and the hungry persons show the effects of the affliction outwardly and this is why Allah has used here the word `Libas’ (cover or clothes) of fear and hunger. In the Ayat above, Allah used the words:

(with something of fear, hunger,) meaning, a little of each. Then (Allah said),

(loss of wealth,) meaning, some of the wealth will be destroyed,

(lives) meaning, losing friends, relatives and loved ones to death,

(and fruits,) meaning, the gardens and the farms will not produce the usual or expected amounts. This is why Allah said next:

(but give glad tidings to As-Sabirin (the patient).)

He then explained whom He meant by `the patient’ whom He praised:

(Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: “Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.”) meaning, those who recite this statement to comfort themselves in the face of their loss, know that they belong to Allah and that He does what He wills with His servants. They also know that nothing and no deed, even if it was the weight of an atom, will be lost with Allah on the Day of Resurrection. These facts thus compel them to admit that they are Allah’s servants and that their return will be to Him in the Hereafter.

This is why Allah said:

(They are those on whom are the Salawat (i. e., who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His mercy,) meaning, Allah’s praise and mercy will be with them. Sa`id bin Jubayr added, “Meaning, safety from the torment.”

(and it is they who are the guided ones.) `Umar bin Al-Khattab commented: “What righteous things, and what a great heights.

(They are those on whom are the Salawat from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His mercy) are the two righteous things.

(and it is they who are the guided ones) are the heights.”

The heights means more rewards, and these people will be awarded their rewards and more.

There are several Ahadith that mention the rewards of admitting that the return is to Allah by saying:(“Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.”) when afflictions strike.

For instance, Imam Ahmad reported that Umm Salamah narrated:

Once, Abu Salamah came back after he was with Allah’s Messenger and said: I heard Allah’s Messenger recite a statement that made me delighted. He said:(No Muslim is struck with an affliction and then says Istirja` when the affliction strikes, and then says: `O Allah! Reward me for my loss and give me what is better than it,’ but Allah will do just that.) Umm Salamah said: So I memorized these words. When Abu Salamah died I said Istirja` and said: “O Allah! Compensate me for my loss and give me what is better than it.” I then thought about it and said, “Who is better than Abu Salamah” When my `Iddah (the period of time before the widow or divorced woman can remarry) finished, Allah’s Messenger asked for permission to see me while I was dyeing a skin that I had. I washed my hands, gave him permission to enter and handed him a pillow, and he sat on it.

He then asked me for marriage and when he finished his speech, I said, “O Messenger of Allah! It is not because I do not want you, but I am very jealous and I fear that you might experience some wrong mannerism from me for which Allah would punish me. I am old and have children.” He said: (As for the jealousy that you mentioned, Allah the Exalted will remove it from you. As for your being old as you mentioned, I have suffered what you have suffered. And for your having children, they are my children too.) She said, “I have surrendered to Allah’s Messenger.” Allah’s Messenger married her and Umm Salamah said later, “Allah compensated me with who is better than Abu Salamah: Allah’s Messenger .’ [ Muslim reported a shorter version of this Hadith]

Source : Quran : Tafsir Ibn Kathir : Surah No.2

Amazing is the affair of the Believer, verily all of his affair is Good – Ibn Qayyim al-Jawzeeyah

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Source: From  “al-Waabil as-Sayyib”

On the authority of Suhaib (may Allaah be pleased with him) he said: The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam said:

“Amazing is the affair of the believer, verily all of his affair is good and this is not for no one except the believer. If something of good/happiness befalls him he is grateful and that is good for him. If something of harm befalls him he is patient and that is good for him” (Saheeh Muslim #2999)

From this we understand that the state of affairs for the believer changes in the life of this world. Shaykhul Islaam ibn Qayyim al-Jawzeeyah (may Allaah have mercy upon him) said regarding the state of affairs for the believer:

“One of them is the state of (receiving a) blessing. It’s obligatory upon him (the believer) in this state (to display) the gratitude.

The second: is the state (of being) tested. It is obligatory upon him (the believer) in this state (to observe) the patience.

The third: is the state (of committing) a sin. It is obligatory upon him (the believer) in this state to seek the forgiveness from it (the sin).

The servant does not go outside of the fluctuation between these three states.

One of them is either a blessing or a virtue from Allaah of good health, wealth, a child to other than that.

It is obligatory upon him that he thanks Allaah for this bounty. Let the servant contemplate over the statement of Allaah:

” ٱعۡمَلُوٓاْ ءَالَ دَاوُ ۥدَ شُكۡرً۬اۚ وَقَلِيلٌ۬ مِّنۡ عِبَادِىَ ٱلشَّكُورُ ”
“Work you, O family of Dâwud (David), with thanks!” But few of My slaves are grateful.” (surah Sabaa: 13)

So how many of those whom Allaah has favored them:

“وَإِن تَعُدُّواْ نِعۡمَةَ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُحۡصُوهَآ‌ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَغَفُورٌ۬ رَّحِيمٌ۬”
“And if you would count the favours of Allâh, never could you be able to count them. Truly! Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (surah an-Nahl: 18)

How many show thanks to Allaah for these favours? Less than a few!

Or there is a (state of being) tested.

It is obligatory upon him in this state (to observe) the patience. Meaning that Allaah from His overwhelming wisdom He could test the believing servant from the different types of test. It’s obligatory upon him to (observe) the patience because this is from the belief in the divine decree and from submitting the the decree of Allaah. Also (the servant must know) that what has befalling him was never going to pass him by. All of that is written in the book of Allaah (al-Lawhul-Mahfooth). Verily Allah doesn’t test him (the servant) to destroy him. He only test him in order to test his patience and servitude. Verily there is for Allaah upon the servant servitude in times of hardship just as there is for Him (Allaah) upon the servant servitude in times of happiness. There also is for Him (Allaah) upon the servant servitude in that which he (the servant) dislikes just as there is for Him (Allaah) upon the servant servitude in that which he (the servant) loves. Most of the creation give the servitude in that which they love. However the matter is giving the servitude in that which there is his hardship.

The other state is (a state of) sin.

It is obligatory upon him (the servant) in this state to seek the forgiveness this is clear with regards to the obligation of turning to Allaah (repentance) displaying ones need for him.”

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