بِّسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
(“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”)
Author: AMP-ian Sister Shafia Shafique
How many times do we complain when we are put through calamity?
How easily do we lose hope when we don’t get what we yearned for?
There are numerous questions which might arise in the mind of an individual due to some uncertainty or unexpected circumstances when things doesn’t go the way it was planned.
Calamity doesn’t always portray the natural disasters like earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, tsunamis, flood, etc but it can also be the earthquakes which happens within our hearts! A tragedy which makes your life upside-down or an emotional trauma or a mental illness or anything making you vulnerable to live and continue further.
As a believer, what should be the first thing which must be understood and accepted during the time of crisis? That this world is the place of trials and tribulations.
“Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: ‘We believe,’ and will not be tested.
And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allah knows all that before putting them to test)”
[al-‘Ankaboot 29:2-3]
This verse clearly states that all the believers on the face of the earth will be tested, only then a believer’s faith can be distinguished.
But let’s just say that we as human beings are too weak to bear what we go through and wish to cease our affairs/problems all at once.
If problems are meant to go away and not come one after the other then it would have gone for our Prophets too.
Remember how Yaqoob (A.S) had to wait for years to meet his son after so much of ‘trials and tribulations’. The unique motherhood of Mariyam (A.S).Yusuf (A.S) was tested throughout his life since childhood , and I don’t have words to describe what our beloved prophet (PBUH) went through in devoting and proving his life to ‘La ila ha ilallah’(There is no God except Allah) Allahu akbar !!!!
“Do you think that you will enter Paradise before Allah tests those of you who fought (in His Cause) and (also) tests those who are As-Saabiroon (the patient)?”
[Al Imraan 3:142]
“And We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good. And to Us you will be returned”
[Al-Anbiya 21:35]
Now that we know the reason why and how our faith is tested; it is easier for us to identify the role of our Imaan in times of calamity. It depends on our perception and apprehension of how deep is our relationship with the almighty.
Before going further, one must know the difference between TEST and CALAMITY. Yes, these two are completely different words in terms of faith. Test is a trial or examination in which a believer’s ability and credibility is evaluated. If we pass the test we get rewards and if we fail the test, our guilt and regret with loads of Astagfaar saves us (only if we seek forgiveness with sincerity).On the other hand a calamity is something which comes from Allah alone i.e., it does not take place as a result of our consequences or bad deeds.
However, the two extremes which usually happens are :
- We feel that everything happened because of Allah and we do not hold ourselves accountable at all.
- The other extreme is when a believer blames everything on himself thinking that it happened due to his past sins.
But the Quran gives us a complete balance in everything. It teaches us where to draw line and consider it as our own fault or a test from Allah.
“Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest”
[Ar-Ra’d 13:28]
In physical world we humans understand the concept of cause and effect but our job should be to seek forgiveness as soon as we commit a sin, not to wait for something bad to happen. Whereas in spiritual consequences Allah doesn’t avenge immediately. He doesn’t take immediate steps and then make us suffer in this world because of the mistakes we made. Such is our Lord -The-Ever-Forgiving. That should be the relationship of Allah(SWT) with us.
Focus on the characteristics of the almighty.
He provides us more than we can ever provide for ourselves. (The-Provider)
He cares us more than we can ever do to ourselves.
He loves us more than we love ourselves. (The Most-Loving)
The moment we forget that, guidance goes away. It is extremely crucial for us to keep continuous faith in Allah especially when the calamity strikes.
Imagine what more gifts will Allah give you when you have imaan. Always smile because its sunnah. No matter what calamity strikes you, stay calm.
No amount of money, fame, people’s appreciation is equivalent to that one gift of guidance by Allah.
Everything else will fall into place when you are guided by the Most high.
“Guide us to the straight path”
[Al-Fatihah 1:6]
