Bittersweet

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

When you are sad, down and alone, remember Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her) being left alone with her infant son, Ismael (may Allah grant him peace,) in an arid desert of Makkah with no food and water. Hajar did not know what Allah had hidden for her but she obeyed and remain patient. And now you know some of the tremendous things that were hidden for her--which include the millions of people following her footsteps between Safa and Marwah during hajj every year and umrah every day until the Day of Judgment. We cannot imagine the reward she is getting in Paradise for her patience.

Allah Almighty says,

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اصْبِرُوا وَصَابِرُوا وَرَابِطُوا وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٢٠٠

O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful. (200)

[Qur'an AleImran 3:200]

وَاصْبِرْ فَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿١١٥

And be patient, for indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good. (115)

[Qur'an Hud 11:115]

If something happens that displeases you, it would be unwise to be unhappy with Allah. The wise thing to do is to accept and be pleased with it.

Yes, we don't want discomfort or difficulties. But Allah will keep testing us, with difficulties and with ease. Sometimes the test of ease is more difficult than the test of difficulties.

Allah Almighty says,

أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوٓا۟ أَن يَقُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ ﴿٢﴾ وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۖ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱللَّـهُ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ ﴿٣

Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will not be tried? (2) But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars. (3)

[Qur'an Ankabut 29:2-3]

The higher your station with Allah, the harder the tests. Just like our elementary school tests, they were not so easy from our little perspective at the time, but you know now that they were not near as difficult as your college exams which you endured nonetheless. Why? Because you want the promise of a good career and to reach the status of those who are successful in the field.

Remember, the One Who is testing you is the Most Wise (Al-Hakeem), All Merciful (Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem), Most Loving (Al-Wadood). He did not send the difficulties to cause you pain or to destroy you. Rather, He wants you to come close to Him--through your supplication to Him, seeking His protection filled with humility, and complaining to Him, alone, in the depths of the night. The difficulties you are facing is a reminder for you to return to Allah and ask for His forgiveness. Who knows, if He didn't give you this difficulty, maybe you would have strayed away from Him far, far away.

Difficulties are like medicine: even though it is bitter, yet, in spite of its bitterness you still give it to the one whom you love. Your difficulties are a sign of Allah's love for you. Be patient and wait for the fruits of your patience.

Think what the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “Paradise is surrounded with difficulties, and Hell is surrounded with desires.”

The bitterness of this world is the essence of sweetness in the Hereafter. Similarly the sweetness of this world is the essence of bitterness in the Hereafter. It is better to move from temporary bitterness to eternal sweetness than the other way round.

Have faith in the All Merciful and trust in Him and although sometimes we may not understand the reason behind certain things, know that as long as we obey Him, whatever is happening, whatever situation we are in is, in fact, for our betterment.

How many times in life have you looked back and seen the wisdom behind all the things that happened to you? Allah decides when you should lose or gain something. Allah is All-Knowing, All Wise. [Qur'an Al-Mumtahina 60:10]

Allah Almighty says,

وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّـهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ بَـٰلِغُ أَمْرِهِۦ ۚ قَدْ جَعَلَ ٱللَّـهُ لِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدْرًا ﴿٣

And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent. (3)

[Qur'an at-Talaaq 65:3

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

If you put your trust completely in Allah, He will arrange for your sustenance in the same way as He provides for the birds. They go out in the morning with their stomachs empty and return filled in the evening.

(Tirmidhi-saheeh).

And He, Allah bless him and grant him peace, also said:

On the Day of Resurrection, when people who had suffered affliction are given their reward, those who were healthy will wish their skins had been cut to pieces with scissors when they were in the world (when they see the immense rewards for the afflictions they suffered).

(Tirmidhi-Saheeh by al-Albaani)

May Allah make us of those who are content with His decisions and adorn us with wisdom in dealing with ourselves and others and with spreading His message. May Allah increase us in patience and compensate our losses with something better. Ameen.

Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam