What is Museebah?

Bismillah

Allah ta’ala says in Suratul Baqarah ayat 155-156:

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الأَمْوَالِ وَالأنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ
الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُواْ إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ

“And we shall 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'”

These ayaat are very beautiful, and we learn from them that we will all be tested in this life, each person in their own individual way.

Let’s look specifically at the word “museebah.” The root word is from saad-waw-ba, or “saub”. The Arabs used the word “saub” to refer to when the arrow hit its target. This alludes to the fact that the act was intentional, deliberate, and not by chance. How does this connect with a disaster striking us?

SubhanAllah, a museebah reaches its target; it was meant to happen. Allah’s Decree WILL come to pass. So instead of complaining and sulking, and asking questions like “WHY ME?!”, remember this ayah the next time a test comes your way … the arrow is merely hitting its target.

Then Allah ta’ala says, “wa bashir as-Sabireen,” which means “and give good tidings to the patient.” The word “bashir” is from ba-sheen-raa and it literally means skin or human; from this, we derive the meaning. “Bashir” means happiness, happiness that causes a reaction on the skin, like goosebumps or smiling.

So these patient ones (may Allah make us among them) will grin from ear to ear when they receive these glad tidings. What are the glad tidings? Al-Jannah. They get Jannah in return for their patience.

And what do the patient say when a museebah hits them? “inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon”, Indeed to Allah we belong and indeed to Him we shall return. Why specifically this statement? It shows that they are remembering Allah and accepting what has happened–because they know this life is a test. Saying the first part, “inna lillah” Indeed we belong to Allah’ shows that He is the One who has tested us and He owns us, and everything else. and “wa inna ilayhi raji’oon” and indeed to Him we will return’ shows that the one can expect reward for their patience–meaning it is to remind oneself that to Allah and to His reward or punishment is our final destination. And saying this statement protects the reward of being patient.

If someone says this duaa:

Supplication for one afflicted by a calamity

‘To Allah we belong and unto Him is our return. O Allah, recompense me for my affliction and replace it for me with something better.’

Allah ta’ala will grant you something better than what you lost if He wills. Remember the story of Umm Salamah radi Allahu anha, she said this duaa when her husband, Abu Salamah, died–thinking, “who could be better than him??” and Allah ta’ala blessed her to be our mother, a wife of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

So do not despair with what you are afflicted with, the arrow will hit its target, and the one who granted Umm Salamah this blessed position can grant you something better than what you are going through. Allah azza wa jal will reward you if you show patience (remember, at the first stroke of calamity). may Allah azza wa jal pour on us patience and make us among the muttaqeen. ameen

walhamdulillahi Rabbil alameen.