Verily, After Hardship Comes Ease

Verily, After Hardship Comes Ease

By Shaykh ‘Aaidh Al-Qarni



At a time in which the Muslims are beset with trials from every periphery, it is a time when Muslims should continue being Muslims, only better Muslims.

I would say to my dear brothers and sisters in Islam “don’t be sad”; if you are on the true religion – believing in One God and all the Messengers sent to mankind, then don’t be sad.

Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala says in Qur’aan

“…Bear with patience whatever befalls you….” (31:17) and “Be not sad, surely Allaah is with us.” (9:40)

Our Prophet Sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:

“Verily, if Allaah loves a people, He makes them go through trials. Whoever is satisfied, for him is contentment, and whoever is angry upon him is wrath.” [Tirmidhi]

Being sad is not encouraged in Islam

“So do not become weak, nor be sad…” (3:139)

“And grieve not over them, and be not distressed because of what they plot.” (16:127)

Sadness prevents one from action instead of compelling one towards it. The heart does not benefit through grief. The most beloved thing to the devil is to hinder the worshipper in the path of Allaah. The Muslim must repel sadness and fight in any way that is permissible in Islam.

Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala is sufficient for us

“Allaah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs. So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allaah. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allaah. And Allaah is the owner of Great Bounty.” (3:173-174)

“And put your trust in Allaah if you are believers indeed…” (5:23)

“O you who believe! Seek help in patience and the prayer…” (2:153)

By leaving your affairs to Allaah, by depending on Him, by trusting in His promise, by being pleased with His decree, by thinking favourably of Him, and by waiting patiently for His help, you reap some of the greater fruits of faith. When you incorporate these qualities, you will be at peace concerning the future, because you will depend on your Lord for everything. As a result, you will find care, help, protection and victory.

Pre-ordainment

“No calamity befalls on earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees – before We bring it into existence.” (57:22)

The pen has dried, and the pages have been lifted: all events shall come to pass have already been written. Whatever has befallen you was not meant to escape you, and whatever has escaped you was not meant to befall you: if this belief were to be firmly ingrained in your heart, then all hardships and difficulty would become ease and comfort.

The Prophet Sall Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said,

“Whoever Allaah wishes good for, He inflicts him (with hardship).” (Bukhaari)

For those who are afflicted with disaster, glad tidings await them: so remain patient and happy with your Lord.

“He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned.” (21:23)

Verily, with hardship, there is relief

“Verily, with hardship there is relief.” (94:6)

“Perhaps Allaah may bring victory or a decision according to His Will.” (5:52)

Prophet Ibraheem ‘alayhissalam did not feel its heat because of the help he received from Allaah.

“We (Allaah) said : O’ fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibraheem.” (21:69)

The sea would not drown Prophet Musa ‘alayhissalaam because he uttered in confident, strong and truthful manner:

“Nay verily! With me is my Lord, He will guide me.” (26:62)

And the Prophet Muhammad Sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said to ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbaas radiyallahu ‘anhu:

“..Be mindful of Allaah, you will find Him before you. Get to know Allaah in prosperity and He will know you in adversity… And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and ease with hardship.” [Tirmidhi]

Accept life as it is

If you read the Qur’aan you will see that all the Prophets ‘alayhimussalaam went through trials and tribulations. Life is a test so let us learn from the best examples of our Prophets.

“Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty, ailments and were shaken.” (2:214)

We should know that if we are pleased with our Lord, He will be pleased with us. And if you are pleased with your Lord no matter what the situation is, then you will find that you have earned your Lord’s pleasure. On the other hand, there are hypocrites whom Allaah rejects their deeds. They are displeased with what Allaah sends down and they hate seeking His pleasure; thus their deeds are performed in vain.

Your recompense is with Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala

When Allaah, the Exalted takes something away from you, He compensates it with something better, but only if you are patient and seek His reward.

Prophet Muhammad Sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whoever loses a loved one from the people of this world and then seeks recompense with his Lord, will be compensated with Paradise.”

Those who are in this world and are close to Allaah will be raised in the highest of heaven:

“Peace be upon you, because you peresevered in patience! Excellent indeed is the final home!” (13:24)

Truly, the life of this world is short and its treasures are few. O’ afflicted ones, if you are patient you lose nothing; and though you may not perceive it, you are profiting.

Extract honey but do not break the hive

“Repel (the evil) with one which is better, then verily! He, between whom and you there was enmity (will become) as though he was a close friend.” (41:34)

“….and harm them not. And put your trust in Allaah.” (33:48)

Prophet Muhammad Sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said,

“Verily, Allaah ordered me to keep relations with those that cut off, forgive the ones who does an injustice with me, and to give to those who withhold from me.”

“Those who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allaah loves the good-doers.” (3:134)

Remembrance of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala

“Verily, in the remembrance of Allaah do hearts find rest.” (13:28)

“Therefore remember Me and I will remember you…” (2:152)

We should not be surprised when we hear that people who remember Allah are at peace. What is truly surprising is how the negligent and unmindful survive without remembering Him.

Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala says in the Qur’aan,

“They are dead, lifeless and they know not when they will be raised up.” (16:21)

Truly, He is near when supplicated: He hears when he is called and He answers when He is invoked, so humble yourself before Him and ask of Him sincerely. Repeat His beautiful names, and mention Him alone as worthy of worship. Mention His praises, supplicate to Him: you will find then – by the will of Allaah – happiness, peace and illumination.

“So Allaah gave them the reward of this world and the excellent reward of the Hereafter.” (3:148)

Loving Allaah, knowing Him, remembering Him, seeking peace in Him, singling Him out for complete love, fear, hope and dependence – these qualities when combined in a person, constitute a sort of heaven on earth. These are qualities that bring peace to those who love Allah, a sort of peace that has no comparison in this world.

It is important that a special relationship exists in the heart between the slave and his Lord, a relationship that allows the slave to feel so close to his Lord that he requires no other. Thus, he finds company when he is alone, and he tastes the sweetness of remembering Him and supplicating to Him. Allaah’s slave will continually face hardship and difficulty until he dies, but if he has a special relationship with his Lord, all of the hardships of life will become easy for him.

The prayer….the prayer – we must return to our masajid

“O’ you who believe! Seek help in patience and the Prayer.” (2:153)

By earnestly performing the five daily prayers, we achieve the greatest of blessings: cleared off our sins and increase in rank with our Lord. Prayer is a potent remedy for our sickness, for it instills our faith in our souls.

As for those that keep away from the mosque and away from prayer, for them is unhappiness, wretchedness and an embittered life.

“For them is destruction and Allaah will make their deeds vain.” (47:8)

Take a moment to reflect

O whose mind has wandered in grief, O’ you whose eyes are loaded with tears; relax and know that your Creator aids, and that His mercy will bring you peace. And know that your reward is secure with He Who doesn’t disappoint the one who seeks to please Him. Be at peace, for after poverty comes joyous meeting, and after sleeplessness comes sound rest. O you who are oppressed in the lands, who suffer from hunger, pain, sickness and poverty, rejoice in the knowledge that you will soon be satisfied with food and that you will be happy and in good health.

Let us make these supplications, their purpose being to eliminate hardship, anxiety and grief:

“There is no worthy of worship except Allaah, the Ever Forbearing, the Most Great. There is none worthy of worship except Allaah, the Lord of the Tremendous Throne. There is none worthy of worship One Who sustains and protects all that exists, there is none worthy of worship except You, and by Your Mercy do we seek Your aid.”

“So be patient, with a good patience…” (70:5).

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References:

The Noble Qur’aan (Muhsin Khan/Muhammad Hilali Translation)

Don’t Be Sad – Shaykh ‘Aaidh Al-Qarni

فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا
إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا
فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَانصَبْ
وَإِلَى رَبِّكَ فَارْغَبْ

“Verily, along with every hardship is relief, verily, along with hardship is relief. So when you have finished (your occupation), devote yourself for Allaah’s worship. And to your Lord (Alone) turn (all your) intentions and hopes.” (94:5-8).