(c) Rehan Shaikh
Trials. At times they are overwhelming. As soon as we get through one, another one seems to simply be waiting for us. Time and time again they pull us backward, and sometimes they slam us flat on our faces not even allowing time for our hands to flail as we fall. They seem never ending, and sometimes it’s just hard to even comprehend why we are going through such things. At the end of the day, we are left in a daze, asking the only question that seems fit: ‘When will this all be over?’ And then we sit, waiting for the answer, hoping that it will come soon.
In the Book of Guidance, which is unlike any other book, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala (exalted is He) speaks to us about such trying times. He knows what is in our souls and He knows the tests and trials that we go through. He knows how we feel in these trying times and He knows exactly what we are thinking, what we are asking.
Allah (swt) says:
“Do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you?” (Qur’an 2:214)
Believe it or not, this is not something new. Throughout history, our ancestors have faced trials and have had to fight through tests. They had goals and visions and wanted to see them through, just as we do. They had family problems and life problems. They failed and they had to figure out how to pick themselves back up after falling. And even though at times we feel that maybe they were stronger than us, perhaps they just knew how to handle things better and they weren’t so affected by the rollercoaster of life; the truth is, it affected them too. Allah (swt) tells us that it did:
They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, “When will the help of Allah [come] ?” (Qur’an 2:214)
They were shaken to their core. They wanted the help, or victory, of Allah to come. They were so tired of going through the tests they were facing. They knew they were weak and that their pain and hurt would not be alleviated until Allah (swt) helped them out of their predicament. And so just like us, they asked, “When will the help of Allah come?”
They wanted to know when all this pain and hardship would be over. And Allah (swt) answered them beautifully. Not only did He answer them, but He also answered you and me. He directed his statement to all of us, letting us know that we too have hope:
“Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.” (Qur’an 2:214)
Don’t give up. Hold on tight, and realize that the help of Allah (swt) is nearer than you realize. Turn to Him, ask of Him and He will answer.
Jazakallah khair for this very inspirational post!
amiin yaa aki jazakallahu eydan we are brothers i love you for the seak of allah
Ya Allah
I came across this article when I badly needed a boost to my emaan. jazakallah khair for the same.
Assalamu Alaykum,
the words of Allah are always a comfort for the ones who go through trials.
May Allah bring peace to every believer.
Ameen
Allahumma-nsuril-ikhwaana-muslimeena-fee-afghanistan-wafi-sshaam-wafee-kulli-makaaan.
Alhumdulilah, whenever you’ve a strong spirit that is full of belief and Iman, Allah will put you in tougher situations to promote you up towards Ferdaws
Hi,
Why does Allah give us pain if he already knows the believers from the unbelievers.
Is that fair. ???
If Allah knows that man is a believer then why would he want to put him through tough and painful experiences. The believer could be given easy trials if deep down Allah knows we will believe at the end of it all.
It doesn’t make sense to me. Please clarify.
Don’t say it’s a test please. The test as I said could be made easier for the believer
Hello,
My understanding is that a “test” or “trial” does not literally mean that God “wants to know” the state of our faith for this (or anything else for that matter) is not hidden from Him and hence does not need to be made “manifest” or “revealed” through a “test”. In fact it is us who do not know the true condition of our souls, and only find out what is really in our hearts during a trial (often times we find something ugly).
The Quran makes it clear that a test from God is a means of purification for the believer, i.e., those who hold to Truth even as their environment disintegrates around them (this is patience). This process is a means of purification from our attachment from what is short-lived, material, and ultimately of little value (i.e., “the world”) and the reinforcement of our commitment and devotion to that which is Eternal, Spiritual, and the Source of all good (God).
This is why believers are given greater trials depending on the level of their faith. God wishes to purify us and draw us closer to His Oneness (Tawhid). For disbelievers a trial is not a “trial” since they are not committed to eternal Truth; patience in the face of a trial cannot have the same meaning for them. A trial is seen merely as suffering for them, and they take no benefit of purification. In fact the Quran makes it clear that for the ardent disbelievers God often gives them ease and the luxuries of this world. Trials are for believers – those who are committed to God and want to be pure in heart when they meet Him.
(Quran, 103:2-3) “Verily man is in loss, except such as have faith, and do righteous deeds, and encourage one another to hold firmly to Truth, and hold patience and constancy.”
(Quran, 3:200) “Oh you who believe! Persevere in patience and constancy. Vie in such perseverance, strengthen each other, and be pious, that you may prosper.”
(Quran, 29:64) “And the life of this world is only amusement and play! Verily, the home of the Hereafter, that is the Life indeed, if they but knew.”
May God bless the believers, may He help us hold patience and be grateful unto Him. And He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
That is the best way I have ever heard this particular subject discussed, both succinctly and thoroughly.
Mashallah.
Thank you sir…
See, it doesn’t make sense for as long as we equate pain = bad, and no pain = good. this is true if the material world is all there is – like if we’re animals. pain means some threat of dying or otherwise warning of difficulty to pass on your genes. no pain means probably ok.
but if you believe the Message, that there will be a time when this entire material universe will be destroyed, and we will all be raised up at that time, either to end up permanently in the timeless destroyed world (hell), or be taken back out to where we came from near to God (heaven), then it starts to make some sense. suppose in order to be fit to leave this world on that Day, we need to be of a certain purity of soul, we need to have the will to choose to leave this dunya, believing that the destination with Allah is better. then if we are beholden to this world as we are, and pain is a means to train us to let go depending on this world and to teach us to depend on Allah instead – then this pain is = good. it will make us into a soul that could be saved on the Day that matters. when you have learned to let go of what you’re attached to, which causes the pain, attaching yourself to Allah instead, the pain recedes. there is peace. even if you have still lost that which you lost. an easy trial is = bad if it doesn’t change you into a soul that could be saved when it matters.
ask Him. always ask Him to help you learn faster so that the pain does not need to last longer than absolutely necessary. this is what people mean, when they say “it is a test”. it is not really for Him to find out, it is for you to find out about yourself.
The way it works is the more you believe in Allah the more trials & pain will happen. When I was a siner I had no trials or going through pain, I was loving life: but as soon I became good then boooom, it became me against the world with trials left, right & centred. Am still going through it now, one after the other, never ending, am totally fed up, but the trick is not to lose hope that’s the key. I totally hate this world now, & these trials. My eyes are filled with tears everyday.
Same, just remember Allah will reward you in the hereafter. If its mental health problem or something dont be afraid to seek assistance or advice. I had drug abuse, my dad almost died. I have intrusive thoughst and all these health complications although im an athlete in highschool. Everyone thinks im all happy and fit but deep down inside im mentally,emotionally and physically exhausted its just tough to deal with life rn and its circumstance. I just got to keep striveing forward inshalllah Allah forgives both of us and grants us Jannah for the hardhsips we endured.
Allah (ST) has created this world. He (ST) did not share all His (ST) knowlwdge to the world as why He (ST) does some certain things, although all that He (ST) does is bases on His (ST) wisdom. No one should feel entitled to know everything as we are created and not the creator.
Asalaamu alaikum, Jazak Allah Kheir for your posts. You have NO IDEA how BADLY I needed to read this. I just finished reading the post about “Al-Lateef”. SubhanAllah, Allahu Akbar! The One, True God never ceases to amaze me. Whenever I am dying in need for his guidance/comfort/mercy, he always shows me subhanAllah. Another reason why I am blessed to have been guided to Al-Islam. Please keep our family in your dua’a. Allahu akbar!
It seems to me that God isn’t helping the Muslims in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and many more. One after another the Muslim countries are falling. When will God’s help come? Years after years, Muslims are treated like trash. When will God’s help come? When Muslims in those countries are dying everyday. ‘Unquestionably God’s help is near?’ It has been decades. And we’re not even talking about the diversity of Islam yet. So many different types of ideology. I don’t feel satisfied with the answer given by this post.
Brother, one will not feel the help of Allah come at the macro level until the majority of the community starts seeking it at the individual level. If you sit there with the feeling that Allah owes you something, that’s the first problem you need to fix before you will start seeing the infinite ways in which Allah is already having mercy on you. Every single day.
I feel so much pain seeing others dissing our religion whenever, wherever they want. People blame Islam as the cause of undevelopment, Poverty and Crime. Everyone is ready on their toes to attack Islam. The Countries are perishing, Countless are dyieng and everyone is watching and so is Allah. It has been ages, The disbelievers are laughing shedding our blood and making a mockery of us and we are only asked to wait for Allah’s help. How long ?? or it’s an EXCUSE.
End is near! Every soul will taste deaths! I mean Allah knows the best! We don’t know Even what will happen after a minute! First you should find Allah within yourself! It’s not about Allah! It’s all about you ! Isn’t it sad now in today’s world to say “Don’t judge islam Based on the Muslims?” But yes be patient very very patient! End is near! The worldly life is too short! It’s not Satan who is crashing the world! But don’t worry nothing happens, beyond the written! Allah has already written everything! Everything single drop of water or sand has written to be moved from place to another! I mean only thing we have to do is to keep our faith! Even if you don’t trust me or other people! Be patient at the end inshallah if you enter the paradise you’ll be able to talk to Allah freely! You can ask whatever you want! But I’m so happy to live in this world too! Because I trust Allah fully he will never let me down!!
I used to wonder about this as well until I began to see and hear about the individual families living in those conditions. Yes they are going through a test but at the same time do you think Allah will not help those who pray Rabbana atina fidunya hasana wafil aakhirati hasana…etc.? Those Muslims living there have their rizq and are blessed with other things and are content with their lives. I’ve seen abundance of colourful fruit and vegetables, of animals to eat, simple lifestyles but enough to get by.
Help is coming from Allah, not in the way the media shows us but in their individual lives and families. Marriages happen, children are born, food is grown and shared, organic cotton clothes are made and there is barakah In’shaAllah in all that they have.
Yes it’s hard see our Muslim lands destroyed and people struggling but there is wisdom in Allahs plan and we don’t know everything, but Allah does help them. How could he forsake them if they truly worship Him? And after all that, if they have suffered and struggled, then one day the test will end and their jannah will await them.
Dying inside, just prayed tahajjud.
The last few years have just been one trial after another.
Each one bringing me closer to Allah.
I googled the ” the help of Allah is not coming ” and ended up here.
The article above didn’t do the trick. The comments after reading made those matter more clear.
We as humans go through these tests to purify our selves.
It is from Allah there is no doubt. We sit here and wonder why me why this why not that kuffar instead. Why me ? A praying humble muslim who recognizes Allah.
The truth is Allah loves you
No matter how much pain you bear in this world, a moment in heaven will recompense all the pain you suffered even if you live to be 100 and suffer all of your life.
I trade this duniya and everything in it for Jannah one day.
If you lose as much as I have lost you conclude the same.
Nothing here is worth eternal happiness promised by Allah.
This world is toxic. Even things that bring you joy can turn around so quick and be your worst night mare. So fragile is this world. So fragile are we.
Pray and pray and pray until you weep during each salah. Abandon the haraam. Pray for sakoon.
If your lucky maybe you will find it.
Obey god and suffer in this world.
Disobey him and suffer in this world. ( maybe in the next only )
Either way you lose unless you worship Allah sincerely.
I am willing to give up what is here for what Allah has promised.
I love you my muslim brothers and sisters
May we reunite in heaven.
Away from this evil.
Duniya means lowest Level.
We can only go up from here.
Aamin
Salaam are you Okay? It’s been a long time has anything changed in your life? I don’t mean to be intrusive I just want to know as sometimes hearing stories of others gives encouragement to those in difficulty and despair.
We should understand that every calamity is by Allah subhan wa ta Ala either a bad situation or people hurting you its all from Allah some time because of our own mistakes sometimes its Allah just testing how strong our faith in him is
loved reading through your article JazakAllah u khair
Do check this article related to the same topic and leave your precious comment ^_^
http://understandquran.com/invite-allahs-help-experience-wonder.html