28 June 2013

A Word of Comfort to the Suffering

When the world becomes your enemy and you cannot trust anyone, know that  God knows what you are going through. He knows your pain, and your weakness. When you can no longer entrust your affairs to any person with whom there is no safety from betrayal and abandonment, know that the One Who created you is the Only One Whom you can trust and turn to in the most difficult moments of life. This world may never understand, may never accept or listen, will turn its back from you. And when that happens, unless you acknowledge the presence of the Only One Who Created you and Is always there to help and understand you, you are alone, and even your own self will never have the ability or power to help you in this trial. Believe and have hope, and reflect that during these hard times that you have to go through, this might be a wake-up call for you turn to you Creator and flee to Him in this world full of injustice, oppression and deceit.

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْرِي نَفْسَهُ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ رَءُوفٌ بِالْعِبَادِ
And of mankind is he who would sell himself, seeking the Pleasure of Allah. And Allah is Full of Kindness to (His) slaves.
- Qur'an (Surah Al Baqarah 207)
   
قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ 
Say: "O 'Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
- Qur'an (Surah Az Zumar 39)
 
In these trials, we learn valuable lessons. If we rely solely on our own, we cannot make it through, for as human beings, we have limited capacities. We have to acknowledge our own vulnerability - and then - humble ourselves to our Creator, Allah سبحانه و تعالى. We were created to worship Allah سبحانه و تعالى, and our happiness lies on how to perfectly worship Him.

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالإِنسَ إِلاَّ لِيَعْبُدُونِ
And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone). 
- Qur'an (Surah Adh Dhariyat 56)

When we accept our total slavery and submission to Him, we have no cause or reason to fear and be sad simply on account of events and experiences that inevitably happen on our lives. Everything happens according to His Permission and Perfect Plan, and if we submit to His Will and reflect that there is wisdom behind everything that He Willed to happen, then, the confusion, isolation, hurt, pain, and suffering will all be understood and then pass by. It is about acceptance. When we face these trials with patience, an open mind, and a heart full or yearning to earn the pleasure and mercy of Allah سبحانه و تعالى, will we be able to face life's tests and challenges with confidence and happiness.
And finally, there is hope for every believer who is suffering, for hardships are also a means of purification from sins if they are faced with patience, and hope of reward from Allah سبحانه و تعالى. for the Hereafter. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said,

"No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that."    
(Narrated in Sahih Al-Bukhari)

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