Adeel Malik
Let’s be real, we all go through some tough times, challenges and low moments in life. But how we deal with them vary from person to person. Here’s some pertinent advice from Ustadh Abu Eesa through Facebook.
Every single person on this planet is going through their own trial, whether part of a general fitnah or their own specific personal tribulation.
So whether its Trump’s crusade, or being homeless, or ISIS thugs, or general poverty, or mental illness, or Assad’s genocide, or lack of clean water, or Buddhist barbarism, or an abusive husband, or a constantly complaining wife, or xenophobic attacks.
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Nothing is too small an issue. It doesn’t matter where you live, how privileged you are or not, or even whether you realise you’re *in* a battle or not. The struggle really is real.
When things get difficult, one often falls into a cycle of depression and apathy. One begins to despair. ‘Ibadah is affected. The will to fight, or to see any good in ourselves when we are in that iman dip, suffers. Which only makes things worse of course, because you despair more, and turn even further away from Allah who if only you realised, is the only One who has your back even in your fractured and weak state. No, *especially* your fractured and weak state.
Beware though. Shaytan here starts to play you like a fiddle. Things can often become more difficult, so you despair more, you feel more worthless, you “don’t think it’s worth bothering as it’s not retrievable”, you despair more. And thus we float away. Right up to the shores of the Island of Iblis – isolated from all hope, civilisation and support.
Never *ever* give up. EVERY situation is recoverable. This Ummah and its honoured believers have made absolutely stunning comebacks.
We almost return from the gates of Hell literally, every moment of the day. The Prophet (s) has confirmed that, even if you are but an arm’s length from the Fire itself, one can change his situation around. But you must have that Trust in Allah jalla wa ‘ala. To believe anything less, to believe even if you are the worst person on this planet that you cannot get back into the Light, is an insult to your Lord.
Believe in Him. Call on Him. Have patience in the decree that only comes from Him.
He created you. He knows you. And He knows you can turn it around as long as you have patience with your situation, for He is Ever-Watching, Ever-Guarding.
And to conclude this, look at what our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has said about the wisdom behind Allah testing His slaves with calamities.
“No misfortune or disease befalls a Muslim, no worry or grief or harm or distress – not even a thorn that pricks him – but Allah will expiate for some of his sins because of that.”
[Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5641]
And here is a famous Dua that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to readily make before ending the Salaah, i.e. before Tasleem, in relation to Fitnah:
اَللَّهُـمَّ إِنيِّ أَعوُذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذاَبِ جَهَنَّمَ،وَمِنْ عَذاَبِ الْقَبْرِ وَمِنْ فِتْـنَةِ الْمَحْياَ وَالْمَماَتِ وَمِنْ فِتْـنَةِ الْمَسيِحِ الدَّجاَّلِ
Allaahumma ‘innee a’oothu bika min ‘adhaabil-qabri, wa min ‘adhaabi Jahannama, wa min fitnatil-Mahyaa wal Mamaati, wa min sharri Fitnatil-Maseehid-Dajjal
O Allah, I take refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, from the torment of the Fire, from the trials and tribulations of life and death and from the evil affliction of Al-Maseeh Ad-Dajjal
Know this, our struggling times can be our ticket of expiation of our sins and our ranks being raised. So, hold onto the hope in Allah’s mercy and deal with tough times with patience, prayers and above all trust in Allah’s decree.
May Allah Azza wajjal ease the affairs of everyone and purify us through these moments of hardship.
