Dealing with suffering

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

Suffering may be physical, like illnesses, or emotional, like frustrations or losing those whom we love or failing in any aspect of our lives. Hardly anyone escapes one or more of these aspects throughout life. Sometimes we ask ourselves why Allah [swt] destines us to have suffering and what benefits will He gain by watching us in pain.

According to Islamic faith, Allah [swt] in His wisdom prescribed suffering for essential purposes. Only the believers know this wisdom and feel its sweetness in their hearts. In Arabic language, the word for suffering is ibtilaa , which constitutes a big philosophy in Islamic thought and is the title of a major chapter in all books of faith in this religion.

For the unjust, suffering is a punishment. This is a fact that has long been proved in scriptures when they tell about the fate of the people of Lot [as], the Pharaoh and his army, the people of Noah [as], etc. As for those who believe, even if they are sinners, ibtilaa carries a different message rather than punishment. It could be a test through which Allah may want to elevate His pious servants to higher ranks in the hereafter.

In this context Prophet Muhammad [saws] said: If Allah wants to do good to somebody, He afflicts him with trials [Al-Bukhari]. This trial could be as serious as losing one's sight or having any other weakness or sickness. Allah [swt] says in a Hadith Qudsi, If I deprive My slave of his two beloved things (his two eyes) and he remains patient, I will let him enter Paradise in compensation for them [Al-Bukhari].

I do believe that this is the reason all Allah's messengers were tried in this life: Think of Jesus [as] when he was betrayed and driven to the threat of the cross, before he was uplifted and rescued by Allah[swt]. Think of Muhammad [saws] who lost five of his six children, including the only male child, during his life as a father. Think of Job [as] and his long suffering with sickness. Think of all the rest: None of them lead a normal, cozy life; Allah [swt] made them suffer because He loved them.

The purpose of this ibtilaa could be otherwise. It could be a means to clean way the believer's sins and bring him or her back to his or her earlier purity. In this meaning our beloved Prophet [saws] said: No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that [Al-Bukhari]. 

He [saws] also said:, No Muslim is afflicted with any harm but for that Allah will remove his sins as the leaves of tree fall down [Al-Bukhari].  

It is human nature that when man is in trouble, he comes closer to Allah [swt], running to Him in prayer and supplication, refraining from the stray path that he has led. When one is worn out with one of these tests of life, one starts to rethink and reconsiders one's course of life and may determine to change.

Two reactions are expected from the believers once they are exposed to any suffering, in order to deserve the price of either erasing their sins or elevating their rank in Paradise. The first one is to show patience, and the second is to show gratitude to Allah [swt] for sending them this test. 

Allah [swt] says in Qur'an: Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full without reckoning. [Az-Zumar 39:10]

Don t think that patience and gratitude are easy reactions. In fact, they need a lot of training till they become an inherent behavior. It is useful for the suffering ones to understand that showing intolerance or feeling annoyance or displeasure in relation to what Allah [swt] destines for them, may deprive them of the fruitful reward of ibtilaa . This fact may help them to discipline themselves to these noble reactions and help them overcome the natural human feelings of shock and panic to reach this super-human feeling of acceptance and contentment.

May Allah [swt] help us and give us strength and patience for to face any ibtilaa circumstance ameen.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
M E X I Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 27 February 2006 Status: Offline Points: 24	Post Options Post Reply Quote M E X I Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Dealing with suffering Posted: 30 March 2006 at 8:12am
	Suffering may be physical, like illnesses, or emotional, like frustrations or losing those whom we love or failing in any aspect of our lives. Hardly anyone escapes one or more of these aspects throughout life. Sometimes we ask ourselves why Allah [swt] destines us to have suffering and what benefits will He gain by watching us in pain. According to Islamic faith, Allah [swt] in His wisdom prescribed suffering for essential purposes. Only the believers know this wisdom and feel its sweetness in their hearts. In Arabic language, the word for suffering is ibtilaa , which constitutes a big philosophy in Islamic thought and is the title of a major chapter in all books of faith in this religion. For the unjust, suffering is a punishment. This is a fact that has long been proved in scriptures when they tell about the fate of the people of Lot [as], the Pharaoh and his army, the people of Noah [as], etc. As for those who believe, even if they are sinners, ibtilaa carries a different message rather than punishment. It could be a test through which Allah may want to elevate His pious servants to higher ranks in the hereafter. In this context Prophet Muhammad [saws] said: If Allah wants to do good to somebody, He afflicts him with trials [Al-Bukhari]. This trial could be as serious as losing one's sight or having any other weakness or sickness. Allah [swt] says in a Hadith Qudsi, If I deprive My slave of his two beloved things (his two eyes) and he remains patient, I will let him enter Paradise in compensation for them [Al-Bukhari]. I do believe that this is the reason all Allah's messengers were tried in this life: Think of Jesus [as] when he was betrayed and driven to the threat of the cross, before he was uplifted and rescued by Allah[swt]. Think of Muhammad [saws] who lost five of his six children, including the only male child, during his life as a father. Think of Job [as] and his long suffering with sickness. Think of all the rest: None of them lead a normal, cozy life; Allah [swt] made them suffer because He loved them. The purpose of this ibtilaa could be otherwise. It could be a means to clean way the believer's sins and bring him or her back to his or her earlier purity. In this meaning our beloved Prophet [saws] said: No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that [Al-Bukhari]. He [saws] also said:, No Muslim is afflicted with any harm but for that Allah will remove his sins as the leaves of tree fall down [Al-Bukhari]. It is human nature that when man is in trouble, he comes closer to Allah [swt], running to Him in prayer and supplication, refraining from the stray path that he has led. When one is worn out with one of these tests of life, one starts to rethink and reconsiders one's course of life and may determine to change. Two reactions are expected from the believers once they are exposed to any suffering, in order to deserve the price of either erasing their sins or elevating their rank in Paradise. The first one is to show patience, and the second is to show gratitude to Allah [swt] for sending them this test. Allah [swt] says in Qur'an: Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full without reckoning. [Az-Zumar 39:10] Don t think that patience and gratitude are easy reactions. In fact, they need a lot of training till they become an inherent behavior. It is useful for the suffering ones to understand that showing intolerance or feeling annoyance or displeasure in relation to what Allah [swt] destines for them, may deprive them of the fruitful reward of ibtilaa . This fact may help them to discipline themselves to these noble reactions and help them overcome the natural human feelings of shock and panic to reach this super-human feeling of acceptance and contentment. May Allah [swt] help us and give us strength and patience for to face any ibtilaa circumstance ameen.