A lesson from the Quran about persevering in times of hardships and trials

Hardships and trials are part of everyone’s life. The important thing is for us to have the right attitude of trusting Allah and His plans when facing such hardships and trials. During such trying times, always remember that nothing happens without the will of Allah. Second, we may not know that our trials and hardships may be part of a bigger plan of which we may have only limited knowledge. It’s only at a later stage when the bigger plans of Allah reveal themselves to everyone. We can see an example of this from the following verse of Surah Yousuf that when the step brothers of Prophet Yousuf were taking him to throw him into a dark well, Allah revealed to Prophet Yousuf (when he was a child) that, 

So, when they took him away and they all agreed to throw him down to the bottom of the well, (they did so) and We revealed to him: "Indeed, you shall (one day) inform them of this their affair, when they know (you) not" (Quran, Surah Yousuf: 15).

We learn in later verses of the same surah that Prophet Yousuf later became the king of Egypt. Also, his brothers came to realize the truth of what they had done and their mistakes when they were all brought to Prophet Yousuf’s presence when he was the king. It was at this reunion with his family (when he was also the king of Egypt) that Prophet Yousuf made the following Dua of gratitude to Allah:   

"My Lord! You have indeed bestowed on me of the sovereignty, and taught me something of the interpretation of dreams – the (Only) Creator of the heavens and the earth! You are my Wali (Protector, Helper, Supporter, Guardian, God, Lord.) in this world and in the Hereafter. Cause me to die as a Muslim (the one submitting to Your Will), and join me with the righteous" (Quran, Surah Yousuf: 101).

Let’s, therefore, stand firm in our times of hardship and pray to Allah to make things better later in life.

Islamic Habits of Excellence–Avoid being Quarrelsome

One of the lessons we learn from this hadith is to avoid conflicts and being quarrelsome even in situations where we may be right. Again, while we should point out the truth but we should not become quarrelsome and should avoid all attitudes and attributes of being one of such people. We especially tend to get into such situations with people to whom we are closer because there are fewer barriers between us and them but then that exposure also risks deterioration of relationships by getting into quarrelsome situations frequently…Let’s heed to the prophet’s call and restrain ourselves instead…

 

(A) Narrated ‘Âishah ?: The Prophet said, "The most hated person to Allâh is the one who is most quarrelsome of the opponents." (Sahih Al-Bukhâri, Vol.3, Hadîth No.637).

(B) Narrated Abu Umamah Allâh’s Messenger said: "(a) I guarantee a home in Paradise for a person who gives up arguments and disputes even if he is on the truth. (b) And [I (also) guarantee] a home in the middle of Paradise for a person who gives up lying (false statements) even while joking. (c) And [I (also) guarantee] a home in the highest part of Paradise for a person who has a high standard of character." (This Hadith is quoted by Abu Dâwûd, At-Tirmidhi, Nasâ’i and Ibn Majah).

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