Dealing With Problems

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

No one can say "My life is a bed of roses without thorns." Every rose has its thorn. Even the best of situations have their down-sides. We all have our own share of thorns in life, even as we speak, small and big, minor and major. A thorn defends the rose, harming only those who would steal the blossom (Chinese proverb). It is only a problem if you see them as problems.

The problem with thorns is our initial reaction to it and it can be worse if we immediately put out our defense mechanisms in high gear. If we are not careful, we can be jabbed all over and so we can't stop to see the beauty and smell the sweet fragrance of the rose altogether.

Problems are nothing but our opportunity to draw ourselves nearer to the Lord. It is as if Allah is calling you to Him with each thorn prick. He is in control of everything. He can do anything. He can change anything. He is the King, Mighty and Majestic. All you need to do is turn to Him and ask.

How do we react when that issue stands right in our face? This is what seems effective for me.

Step #1: Try not to open your mouth immediately unless you remember how to smile. So open it slightly and give a big smile. Say Alhamdulillah (All praises be to Allah).

Step #2: Immediately, softly or silently, say the isti'ada (seeking refuge from the accursed Shaytan--A'udhu billahi minashshaytanir rajeem) and do lots of istighfar (seeking Allah's forgiveness--Astaghfirullah Al-Adhim) as you rush to the bathroom to take wudu' (even if you have wudu'). This will cool you off, inshaAllah.

Step #3: Pray 2 raka'a. This will comfort you, inshaAllah.

If you are outdoor and can't do wudu' or pray, send lots of blessings upon the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace (Allahumma salli 'ala Sayyidina Muhammad wa 'ala alihi wa sahbihi wassallam). There are numerous benefits and rewards of sending blessings on the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace.

Allah most high says:

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا ﴿٥٦

“Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet, O you who believe, send blessings on him and salute him with all respect.” (Qur’an Al-Ahzab 33:56)

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “He who sends blessings on me once, Allah sends him blessings ten times.” (Muslim)

Anas ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “He who sends blessings on me once Allah sends blessings on him ten times and removes from him ten sins and raises him by ten degrees.” (Nasa'i).

Ubayy ibn Ka`b (Allah be pleased with him) relates: I said, "O Messenger of Allah, I send much blessings on you. What proportion of my prayer should I devote to you?" He said, "As much as you like." I said, "A quarter?" He said, “As much as you like, and if you increased it would only be better for you.” I said, “Then a half?” He said, “As much as you like and if you increased then it would only be better for you.” I said, “Then two thirds?” He said, “As much as you like and if you increased it would only be better for you.” I said, “I'll devote all of my prayers to sending blessings on you.” The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “In that case it will suffice you from your worries and your sins will be forgiven." (Reported by Tirmidhi who declared it well authenticated)

Step #4: Make supplication. Ask Allah to give you patience and to reward you for the difficulty and relieve you from the difficulty.

Step #5: Recite some Qur'an, including the surahs of protection--Ayatul Kursi, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas. If you want to do more, read surah Yaasin. It is good to memorize these surahs and make them a part of your daily practice.

Obviously, whatever we read we should understand the meaning. Don't think parroting the words has the same effect as knowing what we read and reciting it correctly. To get the full effect and benefits, we should resolve to learn its meanings and to learn how to read it correctly as well and take steps to accomplish this (for example by learning Arabic and taking classes on reading the Qur'an correctly). Allah will make easy the path. InshaAllah.

InshaAllah, you will have a different outlook of the issue at hand and can deal with it in a prudent manner.

Remember, the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, went through greater difficulties than anyone. He is the beloved of Allah.

Remember, with hardship is ease. Allah said so in the Qur'an. We shouldn't entertain any doubts about this.

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
أَلَمْ نَشْرَحْ لَكَ صَدْرَكَ ﴿١﴾ وَوَضَعْنَا عَنكَ وِزْرَكَ ﴿٢﴾ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنقَضَ ظَهْرَكَ ﴿٣﴾ وَرَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ ﴿٤﴾ فَإِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ﴿٥﴾ إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ﴿٦﴾ فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَٱنصَبْ ﴿٧﴾ وَإِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَٱرْغَب ﴿٨

Did We not widen your bosom? And relieve you of the burden – Which had broken your back? And We have exalted your remembrance for you. So indeed with hardship is ease. Indeed with hardship is ease. So when you finish the prayer, strive in supplication. And incline towards your Lord. (Qur'an Ash-Sharh 94)

May Allah make our journey easy. May Allah fill our hearts with love of His beloved Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and guide us to live in accordance to his exalted and noble sunna. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. JazakAllahu khairan.

Allah alone gives success. And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam