[Al-Tirmidhi relates this and says: It is a good, genuine Hadith]
In a version other than that of al-Tirmidhi it reads:
“..Be mindful of Allah, you will find Him before you. Get to know Allah in prosperity and He will know you in adversity. Know that what has passed you by was not going to befall you; and that what has befallen you was not going to pass you by. And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and ease with hardship.”
Flashing back on the milestones of life that I’ve gone through so far, I could describe that the first 20 years was rather plain. Everything was easy for me. Alhamdulillah, Allah granted me with almost all the wishes that I made. I almost forgot the meaning of failure and disappointment. People said that I was victorious and lucky. But deep inside, I felt empty.
Alhamdulillah, when my paradigm towards life was changed four years ago, I decided to dedicate my every single breath to Allah, being a real servant of Him who is willing to give her life and death for the sake of this deen (Amin). Since then, life is no more smooth sailing. Challenges have been continuous, until this very moment.
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 the liars (although Allah knows all that before putting them to test). Ankabuut: 2-3.
Huhuhu.. that is the power of the phrase “I believe”. Alhamdulillah, the teaching of Quran has taught me to forget the definition of sadness. Despite the incessant tests, deep inside, I feel content.
With the light of iman in your heart, you can choose to be strong instead of being hurt and weak. You can choose to be patient instead of angry. You can choose to be content instead of depress. You can choose to guide your heart. You can choose…
Know that even if the Nation (or the whole community) were to gather together to benefit you with something, they would not benefit you with anything except that which Allah has already recorded for you, and that if they gather together to harm you with something, they would not be able to harm you with anything except that which Allah has already recorded against you.
So, if you think that you are being hurt by somebody, just forgive and forget by leaving that person with his/ her intention to Allah. With that, you can always keep smiling despite all the calamities that befall onto you. Boleh bah, kan (My housemate always ask me how can i be so joyful regardless of all the burdens in hand? hmmm.. when you can choose to smile and be happy, why not?) J
Below is an excerpt from a book entitled Everyday Greatness (well, it does not hurt to read any lesson that is parallel with Islamic teaching J )
One early spring day, I met an old farmer. It had been a rainy spring, and I commented about how good it must be for the crops to have so much rain early in the season. He replied, “No, if the weather is too easy on the crops now, the plants may only grow roots on the surface. If that happens, then a storm could easily destroy the crops. However, if things are not so easy in the beginning, then the plants will have to grow the strong and deep roots they need to get at the water and nourish down below. If a storm or drought comes, they are more likely to survive.” Now I look at rough times as an opportunity to put down some roots to help me weather future storms that may come my way. ~ Jerry Stemkoski ~
Having Allah on your side does not mean sailing with no wave. It’s about sailing in such a ship that no storm can sink it. 64:11.
