Verily with Hardship comes Ease

Verily with Hardship comes Ease
by Aa’id ‘Abdullah al-Qarni

At a time in which the Muslims are beset with trials from every periphery, it is a time when Muslims should continue being Muslims, only better Muslims.

I would say to my dear brothers and sisters in Islam “don’t be sad”; if you are on the true religion – believing in One God and all the Messengers sent to mankind, then don’t be sad.

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala says in Quran:

“…Bear with patience whatever befalls you…” (Surah Luqman 31:17)

and

“Be not sad, surely Allah is with us.” (Surah Al Tawbah 9:40)

Our Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:

“Verily, if Allah loves a people, He makes them go through trials. Whoever is satisfied, for him is contentment, and whoever is angry upon him is wrath.” [Tirmidhi]

Being sad is not encouraged in Islam

“So do not become weak, nor be sad…” (Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:139)

“And grieve not over them, and be not distressed because of what they plot.” (Surah Al Nahl 16:127)

Sadness prevents one from action instead of compelling one towards it. The heart does not benefit through grief. The most beloved thing to the devil is to hinder the worshipper in the path of Allah. The Muslim must repel sadness and fight in any way that is permissible in Islam.

Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala is sufficient for us

“Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs. So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allah. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the owner of Great Bounty.” ( Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:173-174)

“And put your trust in Allah if you are believers indeed…” (Surah Al Ma’idah 5:23)

“O you who believe! Seek help in patience and the prayer…” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:153)

By leaving your affairs to Allah, by depending on Him, by trusting in His promise, by being pleased with His decree, by thinking favourably of Him, and by waiting patiently for His help, you reap some of the greater fruits of faith. When you incorporate these qualities, you will be at peace concerning the future, because you will depend on your Lord for everything. As a result, you will find care, help, protection and victory.

Pre-ordainment

“No calamity befalls on earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees – before We bring it into existence.” (Surah Al Hadid 57:22)

The pen has dried, and the pages have been lifted: all events shall come to pass have already been written. Whatever has befallen you was not meant to escape you, and whatever has escaped you was not meant to befall you: if this belief were to be firmly ingrained in your heart, then all hardships and difficulty would become ease and comfort.

The Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said,

“Whoever Allah wishes good for, He inflicts him (with hardship).” (Bukhari)

For those who are afflicted with disaster, glad tidings await them: so remain patient and happy with your Lord.

“He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned.” (Surah Al Anbiya 21:23)

Verily, with hardship, there is relief

“Verily, with hardship there is relief.” (Surah Al Sharh 94:6)

“Perhaps Allah may bring victory or a decision according to His Will.” ( Surah Al Ma’idah 5:52)

Prophet Ibrahim ‘alayhis salam did not feel its heat because of the help he received from Allah.

“We (Allah) said : O’ fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibrahim.” ( Surah Al Anbiya 21:69)

The sea would not drown Prophet Musa ‘alayhis salaam because he uttered in confident, strong and truthful manner:

“Nay verily! With me is my Lord, He will guide me.” (Surah Al Shu’ara’ 26:62)

And the Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said to ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbaas radiyallahu ‘anhu:

“…Be mindful of Allah, you will find Him before you. Get to know Allah in prosperity and He will know you in adversity… And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and ease with hardship.” [Tirmidhi]

Accept life as it is

If you read the Quran you will see that all the Prophets ‘alayhimus salaam went through trials and tribulations. Life is a test so let us learn from the best examples of our Prophets.

“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, ailments and were shaken.” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:214)

We should know that if we are pleased with our Lord, He will be pleased with us. And if you are pleased with your Lord no matter what the situation is, then you will find that you have earned your Lord’s pleasure. On the other hand, there are hypocrites whom Allah rejects their deeds. They are displeased with what Allah sends down and they hate seeking His pleasure; thus their deeds are performed in vain.

Your recompense is with Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala

When Allah, the Exalted takes something away from you, He compensates it with something better, but only if you are patient and seek His reward.

Prophet Muhammad Sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whoever loses a loved one from the people of this world and then seeks recompense with his Lord, will be compensated with Paradise.”

Those who are in this world and are close to Allah will be raised in the highest of heaven:

“Peace be upon you, because you persevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!” (Surah Al Ra’d 13:24)

Truly, the life of this world is short and its treasures are few. O’ afflicted ones, if you are patient you lose nothing; and though you may not perceive it, you are profiting.

Extract honey but do not break the hive

“Repel (the evil) with one which is better, then verily! He, between whom and you there was enmity (will become) as though he was a close friend.” (Surah Fussilat 41:34)

“…and harm them not. And put your trust in Allah.” (Surah Al Ahzab 33:48)

Prophet Muhammad Sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said,

“Verily, Allah ordered me to keep relations with those that cut off, forgive the ones who does an injustice with me, and to give to those who withhold from me.”

“Those who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves the good-doers.” (Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:134)

Remembrance of Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala

“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” ( Surah Al Ra’d 13:28)

“Therefore remember Me and I will remember you…” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:152)

We should not be surprised when we hear that people who remember Allah are at peace. What is truly surprising is how the negligent and unmindful survive without remembering Him. Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala says in the Quran,

“They are dead, lifeless and they know not when they will be raised up.” (Surah Al Nahl 16:21)

Truly, He is near when supplicated: He hears when he is called and He answers when He is invoked, so humble yourself before Him and ask of Him sincerely. Repeat His beautiful names, and mention Him alone as worthy of worship. Mention His praises, supplicate to Him: you will find then – by the will of Allah – happiness, peace and illumination.

“So Allah gave them the reward of this world and the excellent reward of the Hereafter.” ( Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:148)

Loving Allah, knowing Him, remembering Him, seeking peace in Him, singling Him out for complete love, fear, hope and dependence – these qualities when combined in a person, constitute a sort of heaven on earth. These are qualities that bring peace to those who love Allah, a sort of peace that has no comparison in this world.

It is important that a special relationship exists in the heart between the slave and his Lord, a relationship that allows the slave to feel so close to his Lord that he requires no other. Thus, he finds company when he is alone, and he tastes the sweetness of remembering Him and supplicating to Him. Allah’s slave will continually face hardship and difficulty until he dies, but if he has a special relationship with his Lord, all of the hardships of life will become easy for him.

The prayer… the prayer – we must return to our masajid

“O’ you who believe! Seek help in patience and the Prayer.” ( Surah Al Baqarah 2:153)

By earnestly performing the five daily prayers, we achieve the greatest of blessings: cleared off our sins and increase in rank with our Lord. Prayer is a potent remedy for our sickness, for it instills our faith in our souls.

As for those that keep away from the mosque and away from prayer, for them is unhappiness, wretchedness and an embittered life.

“For them is destruction and Allah will make their deeds vain.” (Surah Muhammad 47:8)

Take a moment to reflect

O whose mind has wandered in grief, O’ you whose eyes are loaded with tears; relax and know that your Creator aids, and that His mercy will bring you peace. And know that your reward is secure with He Who doesn’t disappoint the one who seeks to please Him. Be at peace, for after poverty comes joyous meeting, and after sleeplessness comes sound rest. O you who are oppressed in the lands, who suffer from hunger, pain, sickness and poverty, rejoice in the knowledge that you will soon be satisfied with food and that you will be happy and in good health.

Let us make these supplications, their purpose being to eliminate hardship, anxiety and grief.

“There is no worthy of worship except Allah, the Ever Forbearing, the Most Great. There is none worthy of worship except Allah, the Lord of the Tremendous Throne. There is none worthy of worship One Who sustains and protects all that exists, there is none worthy of worship except You, and by Your Mercy do we seek Your aid.”

“So be patient, with a good patience…” (Surah Al Ma’arij 70:5)

“Verily, along with every hardship is relief, verily, along with hardship is relief. So when you have finished (your occupation), devote yourself for Allah’s worship. And to your Lord (Alone) turn (all your) intentions and hopes.” (Surah Al Sharh 94:5-8)