Allah created each of us with a unique character to test us, individually, in faith. Although some tests may appear similar, they are in fact slightly different, as each test is tailored to suit the nature, ability and capability of the individual. Allah never administers a test more severe than we can bear, neither does He expect us to bear the burden of tests He administers to others.
Tests may provide the opportunity to practice or improve potential skills, talents and flairs. They may also be administered to see whether or not we can suppress negative emotions, evil desires and temptations (i.e. to refrain from abuse, backbiting, gossiping, suspicion, being two-faced, jealous, impatient etc). We are all created with particular strengths and weaknesses and find certain tests easier or more difficult to bear than others. However, the more we employ our finer qualities or struggle to correct deficiencies in our character, the greater our rewards in return.
Somebody asked, "O Allah's Messenger Who is the best among the people?" Allah's Messenger replied, "A believer who strives his utmost in Allah's cause with His life and property." They asked, "Who is next?" He replied, "A believer who stays on one of the mountain paths worshipping Allah and leaving the people secure from his mischief.” [33. Narrated by Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri (Bukhari)]
Some people asked Allah's Messenger, "Whose Islam is the best?" (I.e. who is a very good Muslim?) He replied, "One who avoids harming Muslims with his tongue and hands." [34. Narrated by Abu Musa (Bukhari)]
Sometimes we are tried by the same tests over and over again and often in the most sensitive and weakest areas of our lives. Although this may be frustrating, Allah tests our weaker points in order that we may strive to strengthen or correct them. The more pain we experience, the more de-sensitized we may become to it. However, if the pain persists, it shows we may need to strive that little bit harder. The severity of our tests reflects our own level of Iman.
The stronger our Iman and the more we strive to strengthen our faith and character, the more difficult our tests will become. Yet, the more pain and distress we experience, the more rewards we shall reap in return and the more likely it is that our sins will be forgiven.
I asked the Prophet that who among the people is most severely tried? He said: "The Prophets, then the right acting people, and so on down through various categories of people. Man will be tested according to the strength of his faith. The stronger is his faith, the more severe his trial, and the weaker his faith, the lighter his trial. The believer will be continually tested until he walks on earth with all his wrong actions forgiven." [35. Narrated by Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (Bukhari)]
The greatness of reward is accompanied by the greatness of distress. If Allah desired a people, He sorely tried them by torment. And if He is pleased with that, all the content is for them, and that whom He is annoyed with, all the wrath is for them. [36. (At- Tirmidhi, Riyad us-Saliheen)]
Allah created men and women with specific gender characteristics to test them in faith. The test for men and women is to learn, understand and respect their similarities and differences and to use this understanding to live together more amicably. Allah also created men and women with certain desires and inclinations. The Qur'an and Sunnah mention the type of people who will inhabit Paradise and the type of people who will inhabit the Hellfire. The majority of the inhabitants of Hellfire will not only be arrogant and proud but many will be women, for their inability to refrain from gossip, backbiting and manipulating men with their seductive, feminine charms. They shall also enter the Hellfire for being ungrateful to their husbands. This should not be misinterpreted to imply that only women gossip, backbite, flirt and show ingratitude, as both sexes have the potential to behave in each of these ways. Allah has guaranteed Paradise for men and women who strive hard to suppress these negative tendencies:
The Messenger of Allah said: "Shall I not inform you about those who are entitled to Paradise? Every weak, modest man is accounted as weak and looked down upon. If he adjures by Allah, He will certainly fulfill it. Now shall I inform you about the inmates of hell? Every ignoble, impertinent and proud man." [37. Narrated by Haritha bin Wahab (Riyad us-Saliheen)]
The Messenger of Allah said: "I stood at the door of paradise; and I saw the majority who entered it are of the poor, and the men of abundance were kept confined in addition to the inmates of the Fire who had been ordered to enter the Fire; and I stood at the door of the Fire and the majority who entered it were women." [38. Narrated by Usama bin Zaed (Agreed Upon)]
The Prophet :i said: "I was shown the Hellfire and that the majority of its dwellers were women who were ungrateful. "It was asked, "Do they disbelieve in Allah?" He replied, "They are ungrateful to their husbands and are ungrateful for the favors and the good (charitable deeds) done to them. If you have always been good (benevolent) to one of them and then she sees something in you (not to her liking), she will say, "I have never received any good from you."" [39. Narrated by Ibn Abbas. (Bukhari)]
Men and women are also tested in relation to sexual desire and temptation. However, Allah helps to reduce illicit desire and temptation by providing specific codes for sexual conduct and gender relationships (dress codes, manners, speech and so on). This will be discussed in detail in a following section.
Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind. Although it has a tendency to compartmentalize or simplify complex attitudes and behavior patterns, this subject provides a fascinating. insight into human life and social behavior. In fact, Allah revealed this knowledge relating to the intricate aspects of human nature over fourteen hundred years ago and this is contained within the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet :i. It is also a more accurate account than the psychology taught in many universities today, which is natural since it is Divine Knowledge from the Creator Himself. Islam is a complete way of life. The more we learn about Islam, the more we learn about ourselves and how we can best relate and interact with other people. Islam also helps us to recognize common human traits and identify our own strengths and weaknesses. It also teaches us to be honest with ourselves, to acknowledge our limitations, as well as our potential for improvement.
When a piece of machinery breaks down, we naturally refer to the maker's manual rather than struggle in a vague attempt to fix it ourselves. In the same way, when Allah sends us tests, He does not leave us to find our own solutions, but provides instructions for rightly guided behavior in the form of the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet. The more we adhere to these instructions, the more we will benefit in this life and in the Hereafter.
‘You have an excellent example to follow in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) for all who hope in meeting with Allah and the Last Day.' [40. Surah Al-Ahzab 33:21]
Overcoming Trials and Tribulations
By: Ruqaiyah Abdullah
Tests may provide the opportunity to practice or improve potential skills, talents and flairs. They may also be administered to see whether or not we can suppress negative emotions, evil desires and temptations (i.e. to refrain from abuse, backbiting, gossiping, suspicion, being two-faced, jealous, impatient etc). We are all created with particular strengths and weaknesses and find certain tests easier or more difficult to bear than others. However, the more we employ our finer qualities or struggle to correct deficiencies in our character, the greater our rewards in return.
Somebody asked, "O Allah's Messenger Who is the best among the people?" Allah's Messenger replied, "A believer who strives his utmost in Allah's cause with His life and property." They asked, "Who is next?" He replied, "A believer who stays on one of the mountain paths worshipping Allah and leaving the people secure from his mischief.” [33. Narrated by Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri (Bukhari)]
Some people asked Allah's Messenger, "Whose Islam is the best?" (I.e. who is a very good Muslim?) He replied, "One who avoids harming Muslims with his tongue and hands." [34. Narrated by Abu Musa (Bukhari)]
Sometimes we are tried by the same tests over and over again and often in the most sensitive and weakest areas of our lives. Although this may be frustrating, Allah tests our weaker points in order that we may strive to strengthen or correct them. The more pain we experience, the more de-sensitized we may become to it. However, if the pain persists, it shows we may need to strive that little bit harder. The severity of our tests reflects our own level of Iman.
The stronger our Iman and the more we strive to strengthen our faith and character, the more difficult our tests will become. Yet, the more pain and distress we experience, the more rewards we shall reap in return and the more likely it is that our sins will be forgiven.
I asked the Prophet that who among the people is most severely tried? He said: "The Prophets, then the right acting people, and so on down through various categories of people. Man will be tested according to the strength of his faith. The stronger is his faith, the more severe his trial, and the weaker his faith, the lighter his trial. The believer will be continually tested until he walks on earth with all his wrong actions forgiven." [35. Narrated by Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (Bukhari)]
The greatness of reward is accompanied by the greatness of distress. If Allah desired a people, He sorely tried them by torment. And if He is pleased with that, all the content is for them, and that whom He is annoyed with, all the wrath is for them. [36. (At- Tirmidhi, Riyad us-Saliheen)]
Allah created men and women with specific gender characteristics to test them in faith. The test for men and women is to learn, understand and respect their similarities and differences and to use this understanding to live together more amicably. Allah also created men and women with certain desires and inclinations. The Qur'an and Sunnah mention the type of people who will inhabit Paradise and the type of people who will inhabit the Hellfire. The majority of the inhabitants of Hellfire will not only be arrogant and proud but many will be women, for their inability to refrain from gossip, backbiting and manipulating men with their seductive, feminine charms. They shall also enter the Hellfire for being ungrateful to their husbands. This should not be misinterpreted to imply that only women gossip, backbite, flirt and show ingratitude, as both sexes have the potential to behave in each of these ways. Allah has guaranteed Paradise for men and women who strive hard to suppress these negative tendencies:
The Messenger of Allah said: "Shall I not inform you about those who are entitled to Paradise? Every weak, modest man is accounted as weak and looked down upon. If he adjures by Allah, He will certainly fulfill it. Now shall I inform you about the inmates of hell? Every ignoble, impertinent and proud man." [37. Narrated by Haritha bin Wahab (Riyad us-Saliheen)]
The Messenger of Allah said: "I stood at the door of paradise; and I saw the majority who entered it are of the poor, and the men of abundance were kept confined in addition to the inmates of the Fire who had been ordered to enter the Fire; and I stood at the door of the Fire and the majority who entered it were women." [38. Narrated by Usama bin Zaed (Agreed Upon)]
The Prophet :i said: "I was shown the Hellfire and that the majority of its dwellers were women who were ungrateful. "It was asked, "Do they disbelieve in Allah?" He replied, "They are ungrateful to their husbands and are ungrateful for the favors and the good (charitable deeds) done to them. If you have always been good (benevolent) to one of them and then she sees something in you (not to her liking), she will say, "I have never received any good from you."" [39. Narrated by Ibn Abbas. (Bukhari)]
Men and women are also tested in relation to sexual desire and temptation. However, Allah helps to reduce illicit desire and temptation by providing specific codes for sexual conduct and gender relationships (dress codes, manners, speech and so on). This will be discussed in detail in a following section.
Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind. Although it has a tendency to compartmentalize or simplify complex attitudes and behavior patterns, this subject provides a fascinating. insight into human life and social behavior. In fact, Allah revealed this knowledge relating to the intricate aspects of human nature over fourteen hundred years ago and this is contained within the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet :i. It is also a more accurate account than the psychology taught in many universities today, which is natural since it is Divine Knowledge from the Creator Himself. Islam is a complete way of life. The more we learn about Islam, the more we learn about ourselves and how we can best relate and interact with other people. Islam also helps us to recognize common human traits and identify our own strengths and weaknesses. It also teaches us to be honest with ourselves, to acknowledge our limitations, as well as our potential for improvement.
When a piece of machinery breaks down, we naturally refer to the maker's manual rather than struggle in a vague attempt to fix it ourselves. In the same way, when Allah sends us tests, He does not leave us to find our own solutions, but provides instructions for rightly guided behavior in the form of the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet. The more we adhere to these instructions, the more we will benefit in this life and in the Hereafter.
‘You have an excellent example to follow in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) for all who hope in meeting with Allah and the Last Day.' [40. Surah Al-Ahzab 33:21]
Overcoming Trials and Tribulations
By: Ruqaiyah Abdullah
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