In a hadith, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said,
'How wonderful the affair of the believer is! Indeed, all of his affairs are good for him. This is for no one but the believer. If something good happens to him, he is grateful to Allah, which is good for him. And if something bad happens to him, he has patience, which is good for him.'
As Muslims, we believe that everything is from Allah - the good and the bad. During good times, it is easy to view Allah positively, but during bad times, how do we view life and Allah?
Do we grow angry, bitter and resentful? Do we ask 'why me'? Do we question the decisions made by Al-Hakim, the Most Wise? Or do we view our tests in a positive manner - a means to draw closer to Allah, a means of elevating our status as a believer, a means of expiating our sins, a means of reward, a means to the ultimate and everlasting abode - Jannah?
Prophet Ibrahim (a.s)'s life was filled with tests since he was a child. He was a monotheist in a society that worshipped idols and his own father was an idol-maker. He was thrown into the fire by his people. He left his town. He got married yet had no child. He got married for a second time, had a son - Isma'il (a.s) and was told to leave his wife and son in the desert. When Isma'il (a.s) grew up, he was commanded to slaughter him. Tests after tests after tests. For most of his life, people did not believe him.
Yet.. he carries the title 'Khalil Allah' which means 'the close friend of Allah.'
Imagine the magnitude of the title: The Owner of the heavens and the Earth, the One and only Allah, the One who is free of need, chose Ibrahim (a.s) as his close friend! What an excellent title!
How did Ibrahim (a.s) earn the title? Surely one of the ways he earned it was by drawing closer to Allah during tests.
Consider the story of Prophet Nuh (a.s) too. He lived for 950 years - preaching to his people who disbelieved in Allah. By the end of his life, there weren't many believers. In the eyes of humans, he would've been considered a failure because his success rate was so low. However, in the sight of Allah, Prophet Nuh (a.s) was one of the Ulool Azm - one of the 5 best prophets among the 124,000 prophets that were sent! SubhanAllah!
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Therefore if we want to be true believers just like Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) and Prophet Nuh (a.s), during times of tests, remember Allah. Do not let your test be 'wasted' - in the sense that you go through pain and suffering without gaining anything in return, in this dunya and akhirah. Be patient for the sake of Allah. We sometimes think that we are wasting time by being patient but in the Surah al-Asr in the Qur'an, Allah says that all mankind are in loss except those who...
- Have faith & believe in Allah
- Do good deed
- Advice others to the truth
- Advice others to patience
Your time in patience is not wasted. Be patient for the sake of Allah.
During times of tests, instead of wallowing in self pity, anger, resentment and bitterness, ask yourself:
- How does Allah want me to act in this situation?
- What is Allah trying to teach me with this experience?
- How can I draw closer to Allah through this test?
Remember that tests and failures are both from Allah, and is not always bad. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.' Surah al-Baqarah (2:216).
Tests and failures are a means of drawing closer to Allah, elevating our status as a believer and expiating our sins. It is a means of rewards and to the ultimate and everlasting abode - Jannah. How merciful is our Lord and how wonderful are the affairs of the believers!
