We all are tested from time to time. Whether it’s financial, health, loss of a loved one or issues in marriage, we should never lose sight of the bigger picture. Allah سبحانه و تعالى is the one in control of all the things. It is stated in the Quran that if Allah سبحانه و تعالى loves a people, He puts them to trial. He tests them and places them in difficulty.
Allah سبحانه و تعالى states in Surah Al-Baqarah:
And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, Who, when disaster strikes them, say, “Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.” Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.
[Quran 2:155]
And for one we all know what it’s like to lose what we love. This is when your faith is really put to the test and when we are tested with hardships what will we do? Will we complain why me, or cry or will we stand strong and tall and have faith in Allah سبحانه و تعالى? The ones who have the Patience without complaining will be greatly rewarded whereas the one who was not patience will receive nothing.
I know a story of a girl who lost her child and had not seen this child since he was very small. This woman has gone through hardship after hardship, within the Muslim community and outside of it. Regardless of what has happen to her and what she has had to go though, she has not let that rock her faith in Islam, and she has stood strong, even stood alone when she had no family support or no one to turn to and when everyone cast her aside. She always knew she has Allah سبحانه و تعالى and to this day she still prays to see that child she lost. But in the mean time, she has not let this obstacle stand in the way of her learning her Deen. She is putting her efforts in learning her religion and has memorized a great deal of Quran. When people ask her why you are so calm, she says, “I know Allah سبحانه و تعالى is the best of planners, and His decree is what He wills, and when He is ready for her trials and hardship to end. He will let it be.
Islam teaches us to be patience with whatever befalls us just like in the Story of Prophet Ayub (Job) عليه السلام. Allah سبحانه و تعالى tested Prophet Ayub عليه السلام in such a way that his health was taken away from him. Historians had wrote that not a single limb on his body was safe from disease except for his tongue and heart which he always remembered Allah سبحانه و تعالى.
Difficulties worsened to an extent that people cut ties with him and cast him from the city due to his disease. The only person there to support him was his wife, Rahima رضي الله عنها.
