“We will test you with a certain amount of fear and hunger and loss of wealth and life and fruits of your toil. But give good news to the steadfast: Those who, when disaster strikes them, say, “We belong to Allah and to Him we will return”. Those are the people who will have blessings and mercy from their Lord; they are the ones who are guided.” ~Chapter 2, Verse 155-157
PROBLEMS ARE UNIVERSAL— AND HELP IS ALWAYS NEAR:
Every single person in this world is facing some sort of trial or test. There may be some facing trials in education, others in their jobs, still others in their businesses, and still more facing problems with family or friends. But Allah (swt) says:
Oh you who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer, for God is with those who patiently persevere. ~Chapter 2, Verse 153
For those who exercise patience, Allah (swt) will help and show a way out of every difficulty.
And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out,
“And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion.”
~Chapter 65, Verse 2-3
Allah (swt) in various places in the Holy Quran links patience and perseverance to success.
“Seek Allah’s help with patient perseverance and prayer. It is indeed hard except for those who are humble.” ~Chapter 2, Verse 45
THE INGREDIENTS OF SUCCESS:
If we want to be successful in this world and the hereafter we have to be patient. Allah (swt) clearly sets out the ingredients for success: perseverance, prayer, steadfastness, and the fear of Allah. If one does these things one is going to act according to the laws of Allah (swt). One will also accept and say that whatever happens is by the will of Allah (swt). Allah (swt) says:
It may be that you hate something when it is good for you and it may be that you love something when it is bad for you. Allah (swt) knows and you know not.
~Chapter 2, Verse 216
As Muslims we must remember that Allah (swt) says:
Verily, with every difficulty there is relief.
Verily, with every difficulty there is relief. ~Chapter 94, Verse 5-6
THE PROMISE:
And for Allah (swt) to say this once is enough. But Allah (swt) says it twice, one after the other. This is how much Allah (swt) is kind towards us. He says ‘O my slaves be patient. Be patient, because with any trial that you are going to face there will be ease. He tells us that for sure we all will be tested. We all will go through trials and tribulations but nevertheless we will be relieved.
Our burden, our trouble, our difficulty will be removed. How? Through prayers, through patience, through complete faith in Allah (swt).
And be steadfast in patience, for verily Allah will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish. ~Chapter 11, Verse 115
DEALING WITH CRISIS:
So many times in our lives something happens to us and we feel that this is the worst thing that can happen to us. But then after the trial we realize that this is the best thing that could have happened to us. So we have to be patient and know that Allah (swt) is sufficient for us and is the best disposer of all our affairs. He will guide us to that which is good.
We must not say I believe and then think Allah is not going to test us. Allah (swt) says in the Quran:
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). ~Chapter 29, Verse 2-3