Life is full of challenges and difficulties that a person faces throughout their journey. Trials and tribulations are part of Allah's divine plan for His creation, to reveal to His servants their actions in both times of ease and hardship. Allah says: "Or 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? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, 'When is the help of Allah?' Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near." (Al-Baqarah: 214). Glory be to Him who made seeking relief from Him and trusting in His help a form of worship, for this strengthens the heart and brings comfort in knowing that hardship will eventually pass, no matter how prolonged or severe. In light of the current reality of the Islamic Ummah, it is essential to revisit these significant concepts.
Faith and Seeking Relief
Allah has commanded us to trust that He is the One who removes hardships and brings relief after difficulty, no matter how long it takes. The believer understands that every trial has a divine wisdom behind it, and that Allah is capable of changing one’s circumstances at any moment. This is not merely a passive feeling of resignation to trials, but an active act of the heart that requires spiritual nourishment through acts of worship, alongside firm belief that Allah is the Cause of all causes, and that nothing happens in His dominion except by His decree.
Among the essential elements of this spiritual provision:
1. Belief in Divine Decree (Qadar), both the good and the bad:
Belief in qadar is what brings peace to the heart, knowing that what happens could not have been avoided. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Ibn Abbas: “The pen has dried with what has and will occur. Know that if the entire creation were to gather together to do something to benefit you- you would never get any benefit except that Allah had written for you. And if they were to gather to do something to harm you- you would never be harmed except that Allah had written for you” (1).
2. Patience:
Patience is the weapon of the believer in facing all forms of adversity. Suhayb bin Sinan reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “How wonderful is the case of a believer; there is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he expresses gratitude to Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is better for him” (2). Patience is not merely enduring hardship as both believers and non-believers may do, but it is enduring with trust and certainty in a good outcome.
3. Seeking reward:
When the believer is afflicted with hardship, and remains patient while seeking the reward from Allah, he is rewarded for his patience. Allah says: "Say, 'O My servants who have believed, fear your Lord. For those who do good in this world is good, and the earth of Allah is spacious. Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account." (Az-Zumar: 10).
4. Certainty in Allah's Relief:
Reflecting on the Quran reveals that one of Allah’s universal laws is replacing hardship with ease. Allah says: "For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease." (Ash-Sharh: 5-6). Furthermore, the final outcome belongs to the righteous. Allah says: "That is from the news of the unseen which We reveal to you, [O Muhammad]. You knew it not, neither you nor your people before this. So be patient. Indeed, the [best] outcome is for the righteous." (Hud: 49). The divine revelations and the stories of the prophets and past nations serve as reminders for every heart devoted to Allah, hoping for relief and the removal of difficulties.
5. Reliance on Allah:
Reliance on Allah (tawakkul) is a profound act of worship. Allah says: "And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him." (At-Talaq: 3). It involves submitting all one’s affairs to Allah, trusting in His wisdom and power. This reliance does not negate taking lawful means, as taking appropriate action is also an act of worship. However, the believer should not depend on the means alone, forgetting the ultimate Cause, which lies in Allah’s hands.
Fruits of Noble Acts of Worship
These acts of worship yield many blessings that strengthen the believer and provide glad tidings if one persists in them, such as:
1. Tranquility and Inner Peace:
One of the great practical fruits of reliance on Allah is peace of mind. A person who trusts in their Lord and is certain that everything in existence is under His control will find every hardship easier to bear. Allah describes the attitude of the believers who trust in Him: "Those to whom hypocrites said, 'Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them.' But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, 'Sufficient for us is Allah, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs.'" (Al-Imran: 173).
2. Leadership in Faith:
Reliance on Allah and certainty in His promise strengthen the believer’s relationship with Allah, increasing their faith and raising their status to become a leader in the religion. Allah says: "And We made from among them leaders guiding by Our command when they were patient and [when] they were certain of Our signs." (As-Sajdah: 24).
3. Provision of Sustenance:
Many people overlook that tawakkul is also a means of securing provision. ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If you all depend on Allah with due reliance, He would certainly give you provision as He gives it to birds who go forth hungry in the morning and return with full belly at dusk” (3). Allah never forsakes the one who trusts in Him, nor does He disappoint the one who has confidence in His power and wisdom.
4. Entering Paradise without Reckoning:
This is not just any reward but the ultimate goal and the greatest blessing. Imran bin Husain reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Seventy thousand people of my followers will enter Paradise without accounts, and they are those who do not practice Ar-Ruqya and do not see an evil omen in things, nor do they cauterise and put their trust in their Lord” (4).
Indeed, reliance on Allah and seeking relief from Him in times of hardship are acts of worship that reflect true faith. Every person is bound to face trials and tribulations, and their response to these hardships is what proves the sincerity of their belief.
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(1) Narrated by Ahmad and At-Tirmidhi, and authenticated.
(2) Narrated by Muslim.
(3) Narrated by At-Tirmidhi, and authenticated by Al-Albani.
(4) Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.
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