Advice in Hardship

In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Motivation for those in Hardship and Depression

 

May Allah bless you with piety (Taqwa) and purity, strong Emaan, forgiveness of sins, have mercy on you, elevate your status, and bless you with knowledge of Deen and generosity…. Ameen!  Allah loves a pious believer more than seventy mothers can love!  Your parents love you and always wish good for you! The Muslim Ummah loves you.

 

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam, May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

The most miserable man in the world of those meant for Paradise will be dipped once in Paradise (i.e. in the life Hereafter).  Then he will be asked, Son of Adam, did you ever face any misery? Did you ever experience any hardship”, so he will say (so happy after seeing a glimpse of Jannah), No my Lord! I never faced any misery and I never experienced any hardship.”

 

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) also said:

Whoever makes Istighfaar in abundance, Allah will make a way out for him from every difficulty, free him from depression and anxiety and Allah will grant him sustenance from avenues he will not imagine.

 

A Muslim, who goes through hardship but endures patiently and still strives to do good deeds, will be awarded Paradise where there is no sickness or pain, no sadness, no old age.

 

Paradise is a reality – with rivers of milk and honey, palaces of gold and silver, delicious food and fruits, beautiful spouse, always happy, always young, always healthy – a great kingdom for ever and ever for an unending enjoyment and bliss. Compete with each other to strengthen faith and excel in good deeds and hasten to seize every fleeting moment and turn into gold by a productive activity; sow seeds today to reap a rich harvest tomorrow and rush at the available opportunity before it is lost for good. 

 

The lowest ranking person in Jannah will get a kingdom ten times bigger than this world, will have thousands of servants and so many angels will come to believers to make Salam.  In Jannah, there will be a bazar where people can change their faces to look like 'any person' they wanted to look like.  In Jannah, a believing woman will be sent long time before her husband, she will be decorated with things that no eyes has seen, no ears have heard and no body even thought about that! 

 

This life is a one-time opportunity to achieve everlasting happiness in the life hereafter. Allah Almighty is showering countless blessings upon us everyday. Every moment has a great potential to achieve high-ranks in the court of our Creator.  Every minute is like a gold coin.  The heart and tongue are gifts from Allah to earn millions of rewards (Hasanaat) for the Akhirah. 

 

Let’s view and ponder over this chart of good deeds http://www.islameasy.org/pdf/Convert_Time2Gold.pdf

Read more about the ‘Purpose of Life’ http://www.islameasy.org/pdf/Purpose_of_Life_flyer.pdf

Allah says in the Qur’an: (interpretation of the meaning):

“..Truly the steadfast will be paid their recompense without limit“[Az-Zumar, 10].

 Abu Saeed Al-Khudri and Abu Hurairah (RA) narrate that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: Whenever a Muslim faces fatigue, illness, worry, grief, hurt and sorrow, even gets pricked by a thorn, Allah in lieu of his sufferings removes his sins.” (Bukhari)

 

Remember, a human life is very precious gift from Allah and is not just meant to lose heart for a small issue.  Compared to the stages and issues in human journey to life -Hereafter, our worldly worries and problems are a small thing.  Only Allah knows what is beneficial for us.  If you are a true believer, hope for the best from Allah.

 

Love of Allah:

 

The human heart is the center of emotions and feelings.   It dictates what it desires and works in collaboration with mind to act as a platform of good or evil.  The human heart also has hidden treasures of matchless jewels. If found and applied, we can become beloved of Allah.  Imagine a believer (sister) who always remembers and seeks help from her Creator, praises Allah by her tongue, in her heart, expresses gratitude for His bounties, is patient in hardships. She supplicates in all earnestness and always has good intentions.

 

Seeking help with patience and prayer:

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
 “And seek help in patience and al-salaat (the prayer)…” [al-Baqarah 2:45].

Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Whenever the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was grieved by something, he used to pray.”

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: How wonderful is the situation of the believer, for all his affairs are good. If something good happens to him, he gives thanks for it and that is good for him; if something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience, and that is good for him. This does not apply to anyone but the believer.” (Narrated by Muslim).

 

Put your hope, trust and faith in Allah Ta'ala.  It helps when you find that you are not the only one who has difficulties. You can get a great deal of support by helping others and building up your self esteem and confidence.  If you wish, you could volunteer to help those who are less fortunate than you. In this way you will meet so many warm and wonderful people and this can bring the realization to you that there are many people who also have difficulties. You will learn new and better ways of coping with your difficulties.

You should emphasize your strengths and not your weaknesses. Allah Ta'ala has given each one of us some strong characteristics which we should maximize. You are perhaps very good academically in some subjects. Maybe you are a skilled crafts person or you have some other hidden talent. Use that potential of yours to its maximum. it is not how you look like that is important, it is what your heart is like and the contribution which you can make to your society, family or the Ummah which is important.

 

Every tear of a believer is precious in the court of Allah.  Allah looks at the sincerity of our hearts and our actions. People cannot give respect or honor -- only Allah can grant peace, love, and contentment of heart, a blessed life in this world and in Jannah for true believers.  Difficulties and trials can become a means of raising our status and can earn countless reward.  Even our blessed Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), his family and daughters went though hardships and trials.

 

Forgiveness and Winning the Heart:

 

Remember the teaching of the Islam to win the heart:

•          Repel evil with good deeds;

•          Join relations with the one who cuts it with you;

•          Make Salaam to one who does not make Salaam;

•          Forgive those who did bad to you;

•          Keep politeness in all talk, with respect and love;

 

Allah says in the Noble Qur’an:

“The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one which is better (i.e. Allah ordered the faithful believers to be patient at the time of anger, and to excuse those who treat them badly), then verily! he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend.” [41:34].

“But none is granted it (the above quality) except those who are patient, and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion (of the happiness in the Hereafter i.e. Paradise and in this world of a high moral character). “[41:35].

 

This life is all about controlling desires and protecting from the traps of Nafs (self) and Shaytaan.  This is a temporary life where desires and feeling may not be fulfilled completely - the place for enjoyment and desires is Jannah.  This life is all about responsibilities, fulfilling others rights and following the commands of Allah and Sunnah. 

Problem with Sustenance (Rizq)?

The prophet sallalahu alaihi wasallam said, I know of an ayah that if people were to hold on to it, it would suffice them "He who fears Allah, Allah will make an opening
for him, and grant him sustenance from sources he could never imagine, and Allah is sufficient for the one who puts his trust in him" (Ibne Maajah)
(this refers to a verse of Soorah Talaq)

It is narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Prophet sallalahu alaihi wasallam said, Allah says ,If my servants are obedient to me, I would send down rain during the
night and spread sunlight during the day and I will not make them hear the sound of thunder." (Ahmad)

Abu Darda (RA) says the Prophet sallalahu alaihi wasallam said, "A persons sustenance searches for him just as his death does" (hilyah)

We understand from the Quran and many Ahadeeth, that trust and obedience of Allah is the key to increasing ones sustenance. This is because Allah is the one who owns the treasures of the skies and earth, it will only make sense to make our lives subservient to his commands.

One should remember that whatever is written for man, will reach him.

We should make sure that all our faraaid (compulsory) acts are in order, further, the best way of asking Allah for assistance is through Salaah. We should try not to become despondent or depressed, instead we should remember that Allah will increase our sustenance when the time is right.

The millionaire’s machine:

 

Reciting the Noble Qur’an, Salah, making zikr, Da’wah, learning and teaching Islam – like earning gold and diamonds

 

Three-directions to invest:

 

Today is the day for action – engage in worship, Da’wah, learning and serving others.

Turn your time into gold and earn mountains of rewards in a few minutes.

The past – clean it up by making Taubah!

The future – invest by having good intentions.


Du’a (supplication):

 

Man, in spite of his energy, creativity, intellect, wisdom, conquest of space, thought and action is but a week and powerless creation in Allah’s limitless universe.  From youth to old age, from morning to evening, man has hundreds of needs.  If we ask people too much about our needs, they may not like it.  But, the more we ask from Allah, He becomes happy. 

 

Everyone is in need of success.  Du’a (supplication) is the essence of worship, the light of the heavens and the earth. It opens the doors of mercy and is a means to fulfill our needs from the treasures of our Creator and Sustainer.  Turn to the One who has solution to all our problems. 

 

Make all your worries, doubts and concerns in the form of Dua to Allah – for example:

 

Yah Allah, I was astray from straight path for so long, but you have hid my faults and gave me hidayah.

 

Ya Allah, I tried to do good, but Shaytaan deceived me - only You can show me the path to Jannah!

 

Ya Allah, I am helpless and distressed and you have all the treasures of comfort, mercy and happiness.

.....

 

Read Salaatul Haajaat (Prayer of Need)

http://islameasy.org/dua-hajat

 

and recite the following Dua.

http://islameasy.org/Dua_MM_2

 

Also ask your parents for their Dua as there is great strength in the Dua of a mother and father.

We would also advise you not to be hasty in expecting your Dua or wishes to be fulfilled. Things happen according to the wish of Allah.  If a prayer is delayed in being answered, then that is what is best for us at the time. If it is not answered in this world, then it is kept for the Aakhirah, where its rewards will benefit us.

 

Recite a Tasbeeh daily:

LA HAULA WA LA QUWATA ILLA BILLAHIL ALIEL AZEEM

 “There is no strength (to refrain from sins but with the protection from Allah) and   there is no power (to accomplish good deeds) but with the help of Allah, the High, the Supreme”

 Daily Taleem - reading a book of good deeds will inshaAllah keep up your motivation.  Print a chapter of Muntakhab Ahadith

(http://islameasy.org/english-books ) and read with your family for 10 minutes together, then make Dua.

http://www.islameasy.org/pdf/Emaan.pdf

http://www.islameasy.org/pdf/Belief_Hereafter.pdf

 

May Allah bless you with peace and happiness in this world and the hereafter! Ameen!

 

Review these articles for detailed advice:

Cure for Depression

http://islameasy.org/cure-for-depressio

 

How should Every Muslim live through day and night?

http://islameasy.org/muslim-daily-life

 

Prayer and Du’a - Strong connection with Allah

http://islameasy.org/

 

Seeking Forgiveness (Tau'bah)

http://islameasy.org/taubah-benefits

 

Purpose of life and how to achieve success (Urdu lectures)

http://islameasy.org/tab-weekly-taleem.html

 

  

Note: 

SWT =  Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala

SAW =  Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam

AS   =   AlehisSalam
RA =     Radhiyallaho anhu

RAnha= Radhiyallaho anha

                                                  

The articles are published to enhance your knowledge of Islam.  The references of Quran and Hadith are the approximate translation of the Arabic text.  The scholarly reader is encouraged to refer to the original Arabic script if there is any doubt.  Kindly notify us if the translation can be enhanced.