Reality of Life

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

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

This life is nothing but a test for the Hereafter. In order to enter the abode of eternal bliss, Paradise, we need to pass many many many tests-- fear, hunger, poverty, loss of wealth or loved ones, death of loved ones, divorce, to name a few.

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 Al-Ankabut 29:2-3]

أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُم

Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you?...

[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:214]

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ ﴿١٥٥

And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, (155)

[Quran Al-Baqarah 2:155]

This means that whether we are male or female, wealthy or poor, young or old, we will face trials and tribulations in order to be tested.

Don't be surprised if at any point of your life you find yourself in a state of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, or all at once. You already been warned.

Merely claiming that we believe in Allah Almighty is not enough. Our claim only takes on value once we prove it through our actions. This may involve bearing hardships after hardships. Remember, true success only comes after real hard work.

When Allah has decided to test you with tribulations, it is unacceptable to be ungrateful and discontent. But remember to do the following:

Be patient and constantly seek Allah's help with patience, knowing that nothing can happen without His will.

Allah Almighty says,

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسْتَعِينُوا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ ﴿١٥٣

O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient. (153)

[Quran Al-baqarah 2:153]

Don't waiver on your iman (faith). Treat every difficult situation as a way of earning rewards. Even if everything is taken away from you, thank Allah for giving you the greatest treasure--Iman, because you will not be able to enter Jannah without iman.

Rush to do good deeds. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: An act of worship during the time of fitnah (trials) is like an act of emigration to me in reward. [Bukhari]

The way you respond to trials may become the deciding factor of your final destiny, Paradise or Hell.

Everything starts at zero, but unless you put the effort to go to a level higher, you will stay at zero. And bear in mind that this zero can be your ticket to Hell.

Be positive. Pass this one trial no matter how slim the odds maybe. The next one will be easier to bear, inshaAllah.

Remember, Allah Almighty says,

لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّـهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا

Allah burdens not a soul beyond its capacity...

[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:286]

فَإِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ﴿٥﴾ إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ﴿٦

And indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. (5) Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. (6)

[Qur'an Ash-Sharh 94:5-6]

Believe in it and trust in Allah.

Make lots of du'as (supplications).

رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ

Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire. [Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:201]

رَبَّنَآ أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَٱنصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ

Our Lord, pour upon us patience and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people. [Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:250]

رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ﴿٨٥﴾ وَنَجِّنَا بِرَحْمَتِكَ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ

Our Lord, make us not [objects of] trial for the wrongdoing people. And save us by Your mercy from the disbelieving people. [Qur'an Yunus 10:85-86]

رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا

Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance. [Qur'an Al-Kahf 18:10]

Ameen.

When things are fine, don't stop. Always remember Allah for He will remember you in times of difficulty.

Allah Almighty says,

فَٱذْكُرُونِىٓ أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَٱشْكُرُوا۟ لِى وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ ﴿١٥٢

So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.

[Qur'an al-Baqarah 2:152]

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

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam