Is What I’m Going Through a Trial or Punishment
Date:
Channel: Mohammad Qutub
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AI Generated Summary ©
The speakers emphasize the importance of dams and transparency in people's lives, avoiding negative behavior and improving one's own mentality. They stress the need for patient mentality and uncertainty to achieve success, and the importance of learning to be patient and disclosing one's weaknesses to avoid unnecessary pain. Additionally, they mention a course on the minds of nations and the importance of disclosing one's weaknesses to avoid unnecessary pain.AI Generated Transcript ©
salam ala Sayidina Imam you know have you been? I will costume Mohammed Abdullah. He will be here with Toby. And Toby I'm gonna be sending 11 with the Subhana Allah Allah Allah Allah Allah Allah Allah tena in Atlanta Lollywood hachimura Mishra the surgery with a silly Emery. That's Emily Sani of PA Holly. I praise the Lord mighty nice and prayers and blessings upon Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam his noble family righteous companions and all those that follow them with right guidance until the day of judgment I mean, glory be to you Allah, no knowledge of we accept that which you have taught us in the RV, all knowing the all wise.
First of all, I'd like to thank the organizers for organizing this event, we ask Allah subhanaw taala to accept it from us.
You could be a million different places on a Sunday at this time, when the weather's fairly nice. You could read Dr cafe with your friends or your family, and maybe you are. But we're not here just to have coffee, you're not here just to feed your body, you're also here to feed your mind and your soul. So may Allah subhanaw taala bless you and bless your families, and bless your time. And may Allah spirit Allah bless this gathering and accept it from us. And this is indeed, something which a Muslim rejoices about when he sees Muslims coming back to the religion, thirsty for knowledge for increasing their faith, knowing that this dunya is just it's a passing phase. It's just a very
temporary
time where people are passing, you're in transit. Okay. And I assume most people have traveled. And sometimes it's difficult to think about it this way. Because as short as it is, in our
minds and the way we perceive things, it seems so long. But when we do see a lack here on May Allah subhanaw, taala, make us of the winners in an era, then we'll be like, Oh, my God, it was a transit point. It was an instant. So the people will genuinely be saying, oh, yeah, are those remember that time that instant in time, when we were in the dunya,
you're going to forget it completely. Like so many things in our lives where it was a passing instant, it was so fast. And you actually forgot about it completely. And you only remembered it because you saw an email nine years ago, and you're like, Oh, I forgot that even happened. It's hard to imagine that that's what the dinner will be. But it is when we are in an Astra
Allah subhanaw taala to raise our status inshallah protect us from hellfire.
That said, I also salute the organizers for finding this place. I've been to this doctor cafe, I never knew there was such a nice place above. So Hamdulillah.
Our brothers and sisters are seeking out, you know, the places and the venues and the loopholes. And you know, what you can do trying to find out every capacity as this is, and the atmosphere is a little bit more informal. I'll try to keep the lecture maybe a little bit shorter, and try to open it up. Especially as I believe this topic may be somewhat controversial. And people have questions and it's nice to go back and forth, instead of just me speaking for two hours. So I think we'll, I'll speak for about maybe an hour or so, give you a small break and then we can open it for q&a. Inshallah.
When
the brothers asked me to talk about this topic,
I hesitated.
And that hesitation manifested itself itself in my delay in responding to the invitation.
I was accepting the invitation in general, but I was hesitant about the topic.
Because the topic is not easy, number one.
Number two,
because Subhan Allah and the rule and taqdeer of Allah subhanaw taala
This is a question. I was asking myself as well, because of personal circumstances that I am experiencing.
And it's
and thinking about it and trying to understand the issue. And then the brothers figure, hesitate or not, we're gonna give him the topic and they sent me the flyer and it was too late. And I figured that Allah Shadowfall I might as well do it, too.
be beneficial for myself as well as those listening in sha Allah ask Allah subhanaw taala to ease everyone's affairs in sha Allah,
I will not spend too much time
discussing some of the obvious, some of the obvious is the fact that this dunya is a test from Allah subhanaw taala. I think everyone knows this at the same time, and on the other hand, people know that Allah subhanaw taala does what he pleases. He rewards who pleases and he punishes whom He pleases, even though there are reasons for that, as we know. So there is a reason for Allah subhanaw taala rewarding and there is a reason for punishing and Allah subhanaw taala is the most just
albeit we don't always understand
the justice of Allah subhanaw taala in his actions, this is very important. This is one of the main reasons a lot of people go astray, is because they try to explain and understand
everything Allah azza wa jal does with a mind that is like a small speck of dust in this universe as great as your mental capacity may be as amazing as our brain power is, are you comparing it to Allah subhanaw taala? Can our feeble minds understand all of the actions of Allah Subhan Allah Subhana Allah says in the seminary verse in the Noble Quran by the audible learner shaytani R rajim Bismillah R Rahman r Rahim, Leia use
wahome us alone.
He is not asked about what he does. And they are asked about what they do.
So this is one of the foundations that we need to lay. Before we start getting into the rest of the details. Whatever Allah azza wa jal does, we can attempt to understand and indeed, Allah in the Quran explains to us many times
his actions, why Allah subhanaw taala may do things, but that is in general. But then when we try to come and understand it, in the relevant details in our lives, or in the lives of people we live on the lives of the unborn at large, becomes more difficult. Allah gave you the foundations, but to answer you and say, Why did Allah do this on this specific date, at this specific time, we come back to this foundation, there are US alumni a fall, Allah is not asked, you may search for the wisdom and you will find it if you search long enough, know very well that however
difficult it may be at times to understand what Allah subhanaw taala does or decrease. This is not a question that should be always on a Muslims mind. And I'll get to that in sha Allah. We know that this life is a test from Allah azza wa jal, Allah subhanaw taala tells us in order to make, that he created death and life in order to test us who is best indeed, who's best in action. So it's all empty. Now it's all a test. And by the way, this
subject this idea
really is an earth shattering idea.
And as simple as it seems for Muslims,
who live their lives, according to this principle, that this life is a test. When you try to explain this to a non Muslim, or a Muslim is really guided, it is truly revolutionary. It's revel it's no less than revolutionary, believe me.
Now, they may find it difficult to understand. Some Muslims take it for granted on their first answer is life is a test. Yes, life is a test. That's not a simple issue. It's actually the answer to many of your questions. It's the answer to many of the issues that confounded even scholars.
If you look at it very deeply,
a firm foundation in the manifestations of the fact that this life is a test
practically solves many of those problems, those mental issues to test. The problem is a lot of the questions we're asking,
seem to insinuate
that this life is all it's about.
It's not only about this life, once you put the afterlife into the equation, so you're trying
able to solve an equation for mathematicians, engineers and so on, you're trying to solve an equation and you don't have the key variable.
You're dealing with the other variables, bring the the last variable and put it into the equation, it's solved.
You're just focusing on the dunya. That's the problem. It just trying to understand this in the context of the dunya. And this dunya to Allah subhanaw taala is worth what?
The length of a mosquito
is it worth the wing of a mosquito in the sight of Allah dunya equals we have a mosquito, true or false.
True.
True, False. It's not worth mosquito.
It's less. That's why the authentic hadith is above themselves.
Low
Jana Habiba. Masaka Philomena Shoba. If it was equal to the winner of the mosquito, Allah would not have given a disbeliever, even a drink something to drink that because it's not equal to if it was equal to, he would not deserve even that
because of their disbelief and the gravity of the sin against Allah subhanaw taala. But because it's not worth that. So it gives them
an and gives them, let them have whatever they want. This isn't the dunya.
So it's not equal to.
So when we fit all of that in context, and then you start asking questions like, Why did this happen to me?
Why did this happen to so and so? Why did this earthquake occur and this country or that this natural disaster or that
flooding, this is something so
miniscule and trivial compared to the big picture? So we need to see that big picture. Having said that,
this is a common misconception. And that is that
if Tila means what is a killer, by the way, test, everyone says that test. Great. It's a test. So it's some problem that occurs. It's a predicament, a dilemma, a catastrophe. Right. If Tila test, that's the common conception, but we need to understand it again. Now fully, if Tila
is not only in adversity.
It's also in prosperity. Oops. We might have to change the title of the talk.
Allah Subhan Allah Allah says in the Quran, what am Luca Michelle, we will highly fitna
and we test you with the adversity and prosperity fitna it is a fitness test or tribulation, and you will be returned to us. So shared prosperity and adversity both
can be obtained.
So just like we ask, throw or punishment, if Tina or punishment, we should ask, is it a total reward?
We don't ask. Because if we figure if it's prosperity and Alhamdulillah I don't care if Tila or reward. Be it worried me. But if it is adversity, oh, then is this a trial? Is Allah testing me? Or is it not punishing me when I do something wrong? But when it's rather around, it's not the same again, the weakness of the human being he doesn't think about is it a trial? Or is it a reward
when its prosperity? Alhamdulillah
but that might may be an even more difficult test.
What's the
what's the criteria?
How do I know if this is a test where this is really a reward of Allah subhanaw taala
if you are enjoying all of the blessings of Allah and His prosperity, and you see that you are gradually moving away from Allah azza wa jal and His commandments we will never be weird.
If you see that, that prosperity is distancing you from Allah subhanaw taala it may very well be that
adversity is better for you than the prosperity you're experiencing.
Be careful.
Takes self evaluation, looking at oneself, critically looking at one's life, looking at one's relationship with Allah subhanaw taala. Just like you evaluate all of your other relationships, your relationship with your wife relationship with your husband, relationship with your parents, with your children. When is the last time we evaluated our relationship with
our Lord? subhanho? wa taala?
So I assume you're waiting for the answer. How do I know if it's trial or punishment? A whole lecture just to answer one question.
I was thinking to myself, Should I give the answer first? Or should I
not only give an introduction, but mentioned something even more important? And I decided I'm going to delay? A little bit? Because the first answer is?
Does it really matter?
Yes, brothers and sisters, tell me doesn't really matter if it's a reward or punishment.
If it's a trial if Tila or is a punishment, from Allah subhanaw taala. Why are we asking this question? And why are we
so concerned?
I want an answer
from you.
Because my first impression is, it shouldn't really matter. If you think otherwise, please tell me it's an open forum.
Why does it matter? Nobody wants to say, then we're done. For the same matter. We go home, no q&a, no need. Problem solved. Right? So tell me why it matters. Why? Why are you here?
People are like, Why is she asking this? I want to know, while we were alone, look deep inside yourself. Why do you want to know? If it's a reward or punishment? What's gonna result? From that? Why is people ask questions, that will lead to some kind of action, right?
And you're all nice. So why do you want to know? And why doesn't anyone want to tell me now? That's the second question.
Does nobody know or they're shy? Or they know what they don't want to say? Share your knowledge, yes, whether
sorry. Meaning
whatever we do reflects others.
Whenever we do reflect on others, I don't follow.
Were more towards dunya. Okay. And therefore, we want to know, if it's a test or a punishment.
Because what what will result? If I know so far, it's a test what will happen if I know it's punishment, what will happen?
That's one way to think about it.
This one
learning of these for you and to reshape our life,
action, you have to redefine what we have been doing. Isn't that correct? Or not? So learning,
we can evaluate and we can define our postal reaction for success. Okay, so if I understand you correctly, you're saying
okay, how is x How will action be different? If you discover it's a trial as opposed to it's a punishment? How because you said it will lead to a different action. So how will the action be different?
Okay, you learn that, you know, the accident you got into the child you lost, God forbid, the parent
kicked out of university, whatever adversity you are experiencing, you learned that there was a test from Allah. What action would that lead to? Because I have to have patience. From conviction. Okay, great. We have to be patient right? Time. So do you mean to say It is one and not the other? I will be patient if it's
The other, I will be impatient. No, I hear
the circumstance. Okay? So with a semi might say, if it is this I can be patient and then is that and you're not getting any patient, you're gonna rip your clothes, you're gonna throw yourself in the moment guess
what we say it shouldn't really affect your actions. However,
if you know that Allah, Allah is testing you on punishment, then we should fill you with fear. However, it should fill you in theory, okay? And if you know that is is really awkward.
So the mindset will change, however, they actually should not change. Okay? Baraka Luffy? I think that's an excellent answer. So
whether it's one or the other,
there will be some slightly different repercussion may be not necessarily in the action, right? The action technically shouldn't be the same, which is patients, in all situations, whether it is a trial or punishment.
But at the same time, the brother mentioned hope and fear.
So, if it's a punishment from Allah, I shouldn't be afraid, right? Because if it's a punishment, it means
I need to rectify something. Right.
And if it's a tiller, I don't need to rectify anything, or do I
still after the fight
we're going to be leading our life actually be weird, because sometimes we make this use the resources in prosperity. We don't only not for all
also in our mind, so that we don't misuse the resources, the blessings of Allah. And we get the responsibility not only on us with the responsibility, what others also I'm doing that, that also I have to consider Baba colorific.
If we say that
if I realize that it's a punishment,
that punishment is probably because of something wrong I'm doing because of a sin. The brother said fear it fills me with fear, what should
result from that fear? Some kind of action, repentance, rectification, more self evaluation time. So
then I say, Okay, wait a second.
assume it's a punishment.
Is it trial attribute or punishment, assume it's a punishment.
What will that do?
In all cases,
you will be filled with fear, you will be
enticed to look into your relationship with Allah to evaluate, to rectify to repent, and that shouldn't
be the case all the time.
Right.
Actually,
one of the reasons we ask this question,
unfortunately.
It evinces
a
clear perception amongst Muslims that they are doing well with Allah azza wa jal.
So, in other words, and I believe that was part of the slogan on the on the flyer, I pray, I do good things. I'm obeying Allah subhanaw taala. I
stay away from his prohibitions, but But what
So, evinces a perception amongst Muslims, that they have reached some kind of perfection
in their lives in their religious lives and their religiosity.
It evinces a type of haughtiness
in thought,
it events is a type of ignorance about the rights of Allah subhanaw taala.
The Greek generations of Muslims were nothing like this. They were the opposite. They were always looking down upon themselves. They're always evaluating themselves and finding themselves to be so far away from Allah subhanaw taala. They practice such a level of self deprecation. I think it might be difficult for us in this age in this atmosphere to do but we try
I always best
when some of the Sahaba say something like, without exaggeration, say something like If Allah accepts one sensitive for me, I'm happy. Allahu Akbar.
One cent Judah, then I'm satisfied. So they're doubting every Salah they're doubting every Sunday. And you and I are saying, Why is Allah doing this to me? I'm perfectly fine, I'm doing well. I do my prayers, I do this and that, right? This is part of the problem, our thinking, our perception.
If we understood the rights of Allah subhanaw taala, what Allah deserves of us what the price is for the blessings that we enjoy every day.
We wouldn't even ask this question, we immediately pre assume
I'm far away from Allah. So whatever happens to me,
is okay.
And maybe it's Allah subhanaw taala should punish me more, this is little
compared to what I deserve, look at the diametrical opposite thinking, that question would never come up
for a person with that type of thinking. So this is one of the first problems, why are we thinking this in the first place, because we do tend to look up to our status or our actions, our obedience to Allah subhanaw taala. When we are so far away, how many of the rights of Allah have we fulfilled? How many of the rights of the prophets of Allah owes the rights of people around us, our parents, our children, our spouses,
so many rights to fulfill a Muslim always humbles themselves. Doesn't think of themselves highly. Once you start thinking of you thinking of yourself highly. That could God forbid lead to arrogance, and arrogance. You know, where arrogance leads and where it led Satan.
But we live in a world
where the site Geist is pat yourself on the back, right.
Pat yourself on the back.
Think about the AI. People are. So it seems we got to the extreme. We became Masha Allah, so altruistic. And now we need to start thinking about the AI. Again, I think about AI, self confidence. I'm not against self development, that's very important. But again, the way we look at it, the perception, the ideology,
the conception,
tell yourself on the back, you're doing well, you're doing great, you're amazing, you're perfect, hold on, wait,
hold on, there needs to be a middle path. Nobody is saying, whip yourself
in criticism, but at the same time, don't put yourself on a pedestal you do not deserve. So
is there a value to knowing there may be because we are weak, unfortunately. Because we may find it difficult to always perceive it as a punishment.
And because we may find it difficult to always feel we have to do more and we have to improve. And I think sometimes it is wise to be realistic and to understand.
You know, the how far we are from the time of the Prophet sallallahu wasallam. The general atmosphere where people are sometimes we need to come to the ground. Sometimes when we read the stories of the sahaba. And the tambourine, we think, Wait a second, this is not on Earth. This is on Planet X, right? But guess what? It was Planet Earth because until now, they haven't discovered another planet that can
have viable life. They're still looking. Hawking was looking he died and he didn't find anything. And that is a deep regret because we were hoping that he would find Islam before he met his Maker.
So, yes, there can be a difference. Maybe for us specifically, it's not that easy to always perceive it as a punishment and therefore we like to know and we are weak. Allah forgive us. subhanaw taala mind you, with regards to patients. It doesn't make a difference
makes a difference in the other
aspirin patients, no, can you decide I'll be patient if it's if Tila won't be patient of its icon, or the other way around? No, patience is a must. In all cases, you have to be patient. Sometimes whether you like it or not, this is what happened if you can't do anything about it.
So be patient, and try to be content as well.
You don't have a choice, whether it is punishment, or whether it is just a trial, you must be patient. And this is the meaning of the Hadith of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi salam, when he said adjuvant the movement, amazing, is the affair of the believer.
All of his affair, or affairs are good.
And this is something that happens solely to the Muslim and applies only to the Muslim.
If he experiences prosperity, he thinks Allah subhanaw taala. And this is good for him. And if he experiences adversity, he is patient. Notice he didn't tell us, Oh rasool Allah is there adversity, trial or punishment doesn't matter. If he experiences adversity, wherever, wherever it is, he is patient, and it will be good for him.
So patience is required. And sometimes you have no other option, because you can't change it.
Whether it is a trial or a punishment.
So this first point is to emphasize
that this uncertainty
is actually quite beneficial.
Not knowing if it's a trial or a punishment.
This is one of the few instances where certainty is not necessarily praiseworthy.
Uncertainty is okay.
Maybe to a certain level, depending on your personality, there are personalities, you know, they like everything clearly defined, fine, that's in your own life. You cannot ask Allah Subhana Allah, Oh, Allah, please designate for me if this is a trial or punishment, right, but the personalities, some personalities, they need to know others, they can accept some uncertainty, I am claiming that in this situation, that uncertainty is beneficial, because certainty will necessarily lead to complacency.
If you become certain about what it is, and maybe you become certain that is it is if Tila or Al Hamdulillah. So it's not because I'm doing anything wrong.
Okay, and it means I am perfect, maybe not perfect, just less than perfect. I need to change nothing, I can continue the way I am complacency.
Uncertainty will lead to otherwise, you're constantly thinking, is this? did I do wrong here? Was I should I have done that differently? I shouldn't I shouldn't have spoken to him or her that way. When I
did whatever I did yesterday, that wasn't the right way to do it.
I should have remembered Allah subhanaw taala. You keep evaluating you keep looking critically if you have certainty you want. So this uncertainty is actually very useful. I remember Subhanallah until now that I got this question when I was in the States from a non Muslim because they want to have certainty.
And essentially the way a lot of Christians
hear about their religion from their teachers, priests, pastors, whatever. It's all about certainty. You believe in Jesus, you're saved, period, full certainty. So his question to me was, how are you sure you're on the right path?
He wants some kind of a magical potion. Yes, you're doing everything properly, perfect. Continue the way you are. He wants that he wants to see that certainty. I said is that certainty really required?
Why is that required? Actually, uncertainty will be more of an incentive to act than otherwise. A simple example. A soda you recite every day, at least 17 times. What do you ask Allah azza wa jal
stacking onto stacking
you're playing 70 la casa de you're doing all your food and you're saying Aren't you on already started stacking?
You're not No We hope we are right.
But that margin of uncertainty
that is that incentivizes us to work to do more, not knowing Am I doing it properly? I need to do better I need to improve
as opposed to certainty that the Sahaba have certainty
yes many of them got glad tidings of paradise Allah Akbar done go to sleep
go to sleep go to sleep with man go to sleep I lead of the Allah on which might go to sleep Palace you got paradise if it was me, are you right? Doors will keep flee or nor I don't know what you have a lot of nodes mashallah, you're all No. Go to sleep. If you got now a piece of paper Alhamdulillah you all the people of Hollis Alhamdulillah sit on Dr. Cafe until the Day of Judgment.
Do nothing.
That's the way you and me are. That's not the way the Sahaba were. He got that certainty.
He put it aside as if it was nothing, not disrespecting Allah subhanaw taala. But look at the level of self criticism and self deprecation.
I need to do more.
And then they die on their deathbed and they still say I don't know if I am going to the pleasure of Allah or God forbid I am going to the Wrath of Allah. But you got already the guarantee.
Humility with regards to the relationship with Allah subhanaw taala this uncertainty that we are
talking about.
But again, human nature.
We know that after the Prophet sallallahu sallam was persecuted,
and after he went to a power if
and he was abused and pelted with stones, Alayhi Salatu was Salam.
He sat down and he was complaining to Allah subhanho wa taala.
And he said, Aloma like a scuba cool what do you
think that the Haloti will Hawaiian? Yeah, Allah nurse.
And this narration
some scholars of Hadith, say it is weak.
But at the same time, a lot of the
scholars, some scholars of Hadith and other general Islamic scholars, they
deduce things from this dua.
So the Prophet SAW Selim after he complains to Allah subhanaw taala. He says, Oh Allah, I complained to you
of my weakness and strength, my inability to do anything, this is after he was persecuted. Later on, he says Elimelech Ambika Allah you
fell out and barely Allah
Subhan Allah says,
if you are not angry with me,
I am not concerned.
But your if fear
and Apphia is a very comprehensive word
that gives you the meaning of comfort and safety and security in all facets of life.
He says this is
more comforting for me.
In other words, Oh Allah, if you are not angry with me,
I am not concerned.
But because that seems to indicate that he is saying, I don't care if you test me as long as you're not angry with me. But then even that he says, but Allah Afia is better for me. Alafaya from what from the tiller?
So even then,
not being tested in this way is better. And we are human beings and the prophets. Allah was a human being. But this is to answer that question doesn't matter if it's a trial or punishment the prophets of salaam wants to know
If you're not angry with me, you're testing me, fine. I'm okay with that.
Right? But if you're angry with me,
then the situation might be a little bit a little bit different. So that answers, the question of doesn't matter, since a human feelings of how it's a human emotion, wanting to know, is Allah angry with me?
Is Allah pleased with me?
So, again, as usual,
I hope I'm not confusing you, there's a middle path
of wanting to know,
of hoping that Allah subhanaw taala is pleased with us and not angry with us, but at the same time,
you're not going to get that absolute certainty.
They will remain a margin of uncertainty which in sha Allah, if you look at it, and understand it properly, will only be an incentive to do more,
not to do less.
So
things that happen in this world
adversity that occurs?
Is it from Allah? subhanaw? taala? Is it the color of Allah subhanaw taala? Or is it due to our actions? The floor is yours?
Your actions, our actions, due to our actions, sometimes?
Anybody else?
If it is due to our actions, does that mean that it's not decreed by Allah?
Any other place?
Is it the fear of Allah? Or is it our actions
are both
both or none of the above?
Allah subhanaw taala tells us in the Noble Quran
that everything is by decree, Allah azza wa jal decrees what he was actually everything that happens in this world, if it happens, is decreed by Allah period.
What is the cause of that?
If we talk about it as a causal relationship,
yes, you did something and therefore Allah decreed it for you knowing you were going to do what you are going to do.
Is that clear?
So when Allah azza wa jal says
he tells us in more than one area,
one more sobre como si button, Furby Marchesa, but a decom? Well, yeah, fu antitheft that Allah subhanaw taala will not decrease any adversity any predicament
except by what your own hands have earned.
While you are full and Kathy
subhanaw taala Macklemore.
The Most Merciful, forgives much. So even though you are seeing problems, predicaments dilemmas, catastrophes, as a result of people's actions and what their hands have earned. Despite that, ALLAH is forgiving much. If it was teeth for tat.
If it was going to be punishment, equivalent to
what sins we have committed, guess what?
There won't be a planet Earth. There wouldn't be life. Because he says in the other EO, whether we work in the law NASA below me him. Ma Tara Cara Lee Herman
lokomo If Allah azza wa jal, we're going to hold us accountable.
Exactly for our actions, giving each action what it deserves. Guess what? There would be no one left in this life. So He's forgiving much. But there is a percentage a small percentage of
punishment or adversity, which is a result of what our own hands have burned. So when we look at the situation of the world and God knows when you look everywhere,
Have you see the extent of suffering in all different facets of human living?
You realize that this is a result of the corruption of the human being verhaal facade you feel badly will be Marchesa, but agenus Do you think?
So, all of what you're seeing
of moral corruption and depravity and suffering in the world, this is a result of people's actions. So we know that yes, and this is where punishment comes in, due to a person's actions.
At the same time, Allah subhanaw taala tells us that he tests, he tests whom He wills, He will continue to test he tests his slave servants.
for good reasons. Allah subhanaw taala said that he is going to test us. He said, Whenever you wonder, can we show you mental health we will do
a thorough summary is going to test us we with
death is going to test us with lack of wealth, with hunger, with fear with all sorts of different predicaments to see if we are going to be patient,
to raise our status,
in order to
differentiate and distinguish between those who are good and those who are evil, between those who accept Allah's decree, and those who will object
between those who are content with Allah subhanaw taala is decree and with those who will do otherwise.
And the wisdom behind a pillar.
We can talk about a tiller all we want, but here I'm not talking about the concept of a tiller, per se, but rather the question of is it an IP tila? Or is it a punishment?
Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam
was the epitome of
contentedness whenever he was tested by Allah subhanaw taala and saw the rest of the prophets peace be upon them.
And that's why Allah subhanaw taala actually tests those relapse.
So if you are you find that you are being tested, and God willing, it is a test and in sha Allah. For many of you, it will be a test we hope rather than a punishment.
Then know that
God willing, Allah subhanaw taala loves you. And this may be another answer for why we want to know if it is a test or a punishment. Because if it's a test means Allah subhanaw taala loves us. If it is a test if we can ascertain that it is really Tila, because the prophets of salem said in the authentic hadith, that Allah subhanaw taala will test those he loves.
And the stronger a person is in religiosity,
the harder they will be tested.
The further you get in the University of Eman,
the harder the test will become.
It's only logical, right? You can't be taking undergraduate tests when you're at the stage of the PhD. Simple enough.
If we look at it really as a test, that's what the test is. When you get stronger, the tests will become more difficult May Allah make us firm insha Allah.
So the Prophet SAW Selim said in the Hadith, that if that is the case, when you are being tested, if someone is contented, great, they are going to be content. If they are going to object or be displeased, let them be displeased. Allah will be displeased with them. contentedness with that which you are being tested, will bring about the pleasure of Allah, this content and objection will bring about the displeasure of Allah subhanaw taala so Allah test so it pleases you do what you want you you react to the test the way that you want. Allah subhanaw taala will test those whom he loves, the more he loves them and the stronger they are and closer to Allah subhanaw taala the more they
will be tested, and because they're closer to Allah.
They will be patient God willing towards
What they are being tested with.
So therefore, when you see that
if you look at your own life, and you see, I'm being tested in so many things,
one misfortune after another,
one catastrophe after another, and you look to your life, and you feel that it is if Tila and not a punishment, because for all practical purposes, you are obedient to Allah subhanaw taala, at least to the best of your ability,
it may be the tests of Allah.
And then you look on the other side,
and you see Subhanallah this person is not worshiping Allah, this person does not believe in Allah, this person doesn't do his prayers, this person, this, that this that one after another, but they're living the good life.
This is a natural emotion
and a natural reaction. And in fact, this was even
mentioned to him nucleon Rahim, Allah himself
some seven centuries ago. So a man came to a new claim. And he said, If I become religious, and I repent to Allah subhanaw taala, I'm going to suffer misfortune and Abdullah and so on and so forth.
And if I do not, then I will be happy in life, and Allah will give me and this and that, even then,
so they've no claim immediately responded to him. And he said, if he's doing that to you, he's testing you to see if you will accept the test or not. And if you do otherwise, then Allah subhanaw taala will be displeased with you. So this type of thinking existed and it is one of the pitfalls as we will see.
Excuse me.
If you see the those who disobey Allah subhanaw taala, enjoying those pleasures, do not fret. My brothers and sisters, the prophets of salaam said in the authentic hadith. If you notice that Allah is providing the goods of this world, to a person despite the fact that he is sinful. Then this is inciting him to commit sins, until Allah takes that person takes him away to him, while he is in a state of committing sins.
Then the prophets of salaam recited so when they forgot the morning with which they had been reminded, we open to them the gates of every pleasant thing.
Allah opened the gates of Prof prosperity to them, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden with, we took them to punishment and law, they were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows.
So don't fret when you see that. Don't think that Therefore Allah subhanaw taala loves Allah is giving them let them have whatever they want to have when they are 711 Okay for Ronda man, I'm Lila home Cairoli unforeseen in an anomaly loneliest dad who is now don't worry about that, if you see the disbelievers enjoying every kind of blessing.
And by the way, it is only apparently, they seem to be enjoying themselves. And then one after another, you see them
taking their own lives.
Committing suicide. Some of those people use thought were the happiest people in the world. Ended up taking their own life. The famous
I forgot his name, the famous singer of Don't worry, be happy.
You heard of that song? Right? Don't worry, be happy. Everyone knows that he committed suicide.
Don't worry, be happy.
Contradiction what's going on? Right? It's all apparent, don't be deceived by what you see. Apparently, the reality is otherwise.
But
let it be. nonetheless. If they are enjoying themselves and they are really happy or they think they are happy.
Let them be. This is not proof of Allah's pleasure. It is very possibly the opposite. Allah is keeping them because in many cases and Allah azza wa jal is the most wise and he knows what incites people into action. What motivates people? For a lot of us prosperity is a recipe for disaster. Is it not?
Complete prosperity. What brings us back
Back adversity
in prosperity you sit back drinking your coffee happy enjoying your life everything's okay you ask Brother our thing and hamdulillah everything is great.
You then you ask him about his worship is Salah, you find maybe it's very modest but then when you see him in a time of adversity, mashallah you see him in Korea Malaysia, you see him in the masjid you see him with Viken
because he wants something so he's coming back to Allah azza wa jal. In many situations Allah azza wa jal tries us,
and casts adversity upon us, in order to come back to him in order to come back and beseech Him, it's been a very long time you haven't implored Allah,
to bear to, it's a very long time you haven't stood before him and cried to him and complained to him. So the adversity occurs, and then you come back, and then you are humbled.
Prosperity
gives you a sort of strength in your body,
but a weakness in your soul.
The opposite is true. Once adversity hits,
once your body is weakened, it strengthens your soul. Your proximity to Allah subhanaw taala.
When you're fasting
when is that weakest point you're at
right before the five
and you're making dua, and you're starving and you're famished, you're hungry and you're thirsty. Your body is has been fatigued by the first thing, but your soul is most nourished, is it not? When you're making the DUA at that time, don't you feel closest to Allah subhanaw taala. What happened?
Physically, we're totally weakened. Spiritually, you feel revived, you feel closer, it's much easier to tear because of that weakness. That's when you are closest to Allah subhanaw taala.
Similarly, with adversity, that's what it does.
When we choose to treat adversity, and respond to it in the right way, as we mentioned, so don't worry when you see that the disbelievers
orange are enjoying themselves in this way. Back to the answer.
I don't know I'm not quite sure if I have the answer. Is that enough? Or should we? Is it clear what the answer is? Or not yet?
Have I answered indirectly? Is it a trial or is it a punishment?
Let's put it this way.
Having said all of that,
if the misfortune if the adversity that occurs,
happens and is clearly a result of some sin that you did
the know very well that it is a punishment from Allah Tada.
So you partook, in some
unequivocally haram financial transaction.
And afterwards,
locusts destroyed your wealth.
Termites ate all of your money, guess what? It's a punishment, it's not a dilla. Clearly, because then the punishment is of the same type of the sin that you are committing.
Similarly, God forbid if it was some STD as a result of
fornication and going beyond the limits of Allah subhanaw taala
and other examples, when that catastrophe is of the same type
and related to the sin that you committed, then it is clearly a punishment from Allah subhanaw taala This is not a pillar.
On the other hand,
if
that if Tila that tests that predicament, or adversity,
happened at a time when you were never closer to Allah subhanaw taala
when you just
performed some action that was in complete obedience to Allah subhanahu wa taala
when you just left something, for the sake of none or
Then Allah subhanho wa Taala
you saw the heroin that was going on in your company, and you said, I'm not going to do it. And you lost your job. If Tila
know it with certainty
for the same reason, because you were doing something out of obedience to Allah subhanaw taala. This was a clear haram. You abandon that which is prohibited for the sake of Allah subhanaw taala necessarily, that adversity that touched you
was a test from Allah says it wasn't a punishment.
Is that part clear?
Okay. What if the adversity is not a result of committing a sin? Or some obedience, you're living your life normally.
And something happens, you lost a loved one.
You your marriage fell apart.
You had you lost big in some transaction at some investment.
You had an accident? Whatever happens.
The usual predicaments and adversity that people experience in their lives.
In that situation, is it a test or is it a punishment? Okay, again,
let's take the black and white situation, and then we'll come to the gray. The black and white situation is
if you are the type of person who is far away from Allah subhanaw taala, you are a sinner.
You're not keeping to your prayers, you will not do riffle towards your parents, dutiful towards the people around you, whatever it may be.
There's a good possibility that this is a punishment.
But if you are for all practical purposes, again, we said always the priority is self deprecation. Don't raise yourself to a pedestal. But for all practical purposes. Alhamdulillah you do what is obligatory, you perform your prayers, you stay away from his prohibitions, and so on and so forth.
So there's a good possibility that whatever adversity occurred is if Tila
that it is not a punishment from Allah subhanaw taala? What if?
What if,
again, you're just your normal person.
Just like you and me, doing the best that we can we have since May Allah forgive us, Allah azza wa jal
raise our status in sha Allah.
And then the adversity occurred,
will you know for sure, not necessarily. And we mentioned before that that uncertainty is okay.
Make it an incentive.
Right.
Sometimes Subhanallah
some misfortunes, and these are regarding misfortunes that you clearly do not have a role in contributing to, in other words, a death of a loved one. You didn't contribute to the right, unless you did.
In some way.
You are a car accident, Allahu Akbar, why did this happen to me? What did I do? I'll tell you what you did whether you were driving 170 kilometers per hour. That's why.
Another one of the pitfalls as we will see, you have a role in contributing to the adversity.
I'll get to that inshallah. But that's why I say in general, if that adversity or catastrophe, you clearly have not contributed to in any way, then, and you are just a regular person, you're practicing for all practical purposes, but you do have your sins. Well, it may be this and it may be that and you need not spend all your time trying to understand if it is indeed a trial or a punishment, and you can assume it as a punishment for some of the
sins that you may be doing as long as that incentivizes you to do more,
if
this is a big if,
if that feeling of No, it is a punishment of Allah subhanaw taala
becomes an obstacle and a hindrance to you
from
By improving and rectifying, that's when it behooves you to truly ascertain if it is a trial or a punishment
that I lose you. In other words,
thinking that way too much beyond my capacity always thinking this is a punishment from Allah. If it starts to become a hindrance to me, I feel there is a punishment from Allah. So I stopped doing more, I stopped rectifying, I stopped improving, Allah is gonna punish me, okay, what to do?
This is dangerous.
That's when you need to come back and self evaluate more.
And really try to ascertain if it is something that is a trial or a punishment from Allah subhanaw taala. Ultimately, SubhanAllah.
And I say this last because,
again, it is one of the pitfalls where people are looking for signs.
The only way to know if it is a Tila
or punishment is a sign from Allah. If I see a sign, I'll know if it's a punishment or an Abdillah. Guess what brothers and sisters, you're not always gonna see signs. Stop looking for the signs. Look there, there's the sign that said, No, you're not always gonna see a sign. That's not how life works.
But sometimes you might. And that will help you to understand if it is a trial or a punishment. If you are like I'm Ron Evan Hussain,
the famous hubby.
Then you will see a sign. So I'm already been Hossein was afflicted.
He was afflicted with a disease
in his stomach or in his bowels.
Which as narration say,
incapacitated him on the bed for 30 years.
30 years.
He didn't even get up in order to respond to the call of nature.
He did it there. They
bore a hole in that part of his bed
30 years. And he is content.
And he figured it's a test from Allah subhanaw taala.
And even when some of the time he would come and visit him, they would cry and crisis. Why are you crazy? Because they're saying because of the situation you're in? Don't you see the situation you're in.
And he was patient, and patient and patient.
And in one of the narrations
Actually, according to the authentic narration, he tells them part of what gave him patience. And what indicated to him that it is a test. He told them, the angels come and they says they say salaam to me constantly.
It's a side. In the other narration, he said. So that was how I knew that it is a trial and not a punishment.
So I am patient.
Will the Malayaka come and say salaam to you? Not likely?
Not likely?
Will you see some sign? Maybe don't spend too much time looking for it. And don't make signs out of things that do not exist. We do that too much trying to explain every single thing. But maybe you see something which gives you patience
and helps you ascertain that it is the law and not a punishment. Ultimately, whenever you have and you experienced that adversity,
always go back to Allah subhana wa Tada
beseech Allah azza wa jal
in your Doha, in your worship, ask Allah Subhana Allah to give you patience, as ask Allah azza wa jal to give you strength.
Say the famous dua of the prophets of salaam Allama June if he will see but he will actually flee Kira Mina, okay, oh Allah reward me in this, we'll see but in this predicament in this adversity, and grabbed me something better than it. Right? Allah Subhana Allah says in the Quran when the tequila yoga Allahu Maharajah Arizona home in Haifa. On my YouTube account, Elijah has warned that Whoever fears Allah subhanaw taala Allah
associate will make a way out for him, he will make a way out for you. It may not be immediate, you may have to wait. But that is there's a condition
and this is the toughest part.
So, actually instead of asking for the way out,
fulfill the condition and you find the escape. The Escape is have you fulfilled the condition. So should you ask for the escape or the condition as for the condition, what's the condition, taco?
Tequila, along with Geraldo. Middlewood Catherine.
If we reach that level, then Allah azza wa jal will make a way out for you. And He will grant you from where you least expect it of His Bounty. subhanho wa taala. This is the way out this is the way to deal with it.
No matter what, maybe a person says, Wait a second. A lot of this adversity you're talking about is adversity in the dunya Oh, that's a very good question.
What about adversity in the deen? Oh, Salah, Salama mocha liberal pollutes a bit Paulo Vana. alginic. Alright.
That's a different issue.
If it's adversity in the dean,
this is the worst adversity in the dunya who hasn't experienced adversity in the dunya? We'll save after Dean till can we'll see but we'll see battle Messiah.
That's the real issue. That's why it is said that Ramadan cartographie Allahu Allah. Whenever afflicted with any adversity, one of the things he would praise Allah about in that adversity, is that that 100 night is not in my Deen. It's not in my heart.
You find a person who is drowning in adversity,
many of the stories of the Sahaba and the tambourine but is tongue does not stop in the vicar of Allah subhanaw taala. What is a greater blessing than that?
Apart from the fact that whatever adversity that person is experiencing, is all raising his status, mountains of Hassanal due to adversity, to the extent that the Prophet SAW Selim said that people wouldn't when they see the extent of reward for those who suffered adversity on the Day of Judgment, they wouldn't hope.
Or they would wish that they were expected with the same adversities seeing the mountains of reward Allah azza wa jal has
for them.
So whenever God forbid if it is in the deen, this is where a person really needs to keep evaluating.
Maybe I'm not
as close to Allah subhanaw taala before I'm not as dutiful in my prayers and my worship, that's understandable Eman goes up and down. We know that the sinusoidal wave we hope it's not but it's a wave. Okay. So it goes up and down.
When it's up Alhamdulillah do everything you can to benefit in that period. It's down.
Beware of because, understandably you won't be as dutiful in your worship in general, as you are when a man is up, but at least stick to the FARA
that that is the bare minimum.
The bare minimum.
Don't go below that. God forbid. You used to pray. So now you're not praying sunnah. Now you're going through whatever it is.
Fine.
But beware of missing your prayers. This is where you're getting into the dangerous zone. The FARA in that which is an obligation you should fulfill at all times. Let me mention just a few important pitfalls. And I will conclude as we said before, we are always trying to find a metaphysical explanation. Please resist the temptation to do this.
We always want to explain the actions of Allah and the decree of Allah. This happened because of this. This happened because of that. Guess what this happened because you're an idiot.
This happened because you lied. That happened because you
treated so and so this way. That's why it happened.
You got into the accident because you were speeding. You failed the test, my dear, because you started studying at 3am
it
oh I failed the test at that Allah, masha Allah, when did you start studying? Yesterday? Okay?
Stop blaming Allah, blame yourself
especially when the adversity, what you are calling adversity. You are you have clearly contributed to with your own idiocy or with your own
lackluster attitude with your own
abandoning of your duties, neglect whatever you want to call it.
First look to yourself before anything, did you contribute to that problem? Imagine telling your boss
the project failed, you didn't reach the KPIs that you were supposed to read was that Allah Allah Shavon Allahu Akbar. Then after a while you see the the letter
on your desk, you got fired? Stop blaming Allah,
stop looking for a metaphysical explanation.
Unless it is clearly
not due to some
neglect on your part that you didn't contribute in some way, then you can start trying to understand it. So this is one of the major pitfalls we're always trying to put things on Allah subhanaw taala and not looking at our own selves. This is why I said this question sometimes is also due to that lack of introspection and self deprecation that we talked about before.
So if the fault is clearly your own, that's it.
You were the one who brought this about, it was decreed by Allah subhanaw taala through your negligence. Alright. Another common pitfall
is that if I follow the commands of Allah azza wa jal, then I will be tested. This is why you say this is what the authentic hadith says, then I will have misfortune.
Ostensibly, this will dissuade the disbelievers
and those who are newly guided
to Allah subhanaw taala. Wait a second, if I start obeying Allah, then I will have this fortune, oh, god forbid, I don't need that religion. I don't need to be
religious, I don't need to fulfill
the my duties towards my Lord, God forbid.
Again, we go back. That is because you miss understood the concept of empty love.
That is because your focus is only on the dunya. There it is because you didn't understand that, that misfortune as little as it may be. Allah subhanaw taala may raise your status to the highest levels. The Prophet SAW, Selim said, even if you are pricked by a Thor, you know, if you're walking outside and you hit your toe on that chair
Subhanallah, you will be rewarded for that.
So if you are rewarded for something so minor, imagine the rewards a few are patient with true misfortune that afflicts you.
So this is why
when the man came to me look at him, and he said, If I return to Him, and I'm closer to him, and I do good deeds and so on, then I will no longer have any provision, and I won't enjoy my life. But if I sin against Him, and I gave my neffs everything that it wants, then he will help me and He will give me provision and so on, and so forth. So no, Kareem says he says to him, this is a test for you to see if you are going to be patient. And if you are truthful, in your claim,
in your claim, that you are coming to Allah subhanahu wa taala because if you are patient, then Allah will reward you otherwise you are lying.
And these trials my brothers and sisters are what distinguishes people
these tests, just like you know, the test you're taking at school. This is how you know there is from the bees and the bees from the seas and the seas from the reason the F's. This is the only way Allah subhanaw taala clarified it in the Noble Quran when he said mean
Has it been NASA you track all your life
and if law mean to the people think
that they will not be tested or they will be left to say,
we have believed and that they will love be tested. Do you think you are just going to say I believe in Allah subhanaw taala I am a true believer and then you will not be tested to see to test the nature of that belief. Is it real?
Or is it artificial?
So, we ask Allah subhanaw taala to give us patience, to always thank him and be patient in adversity
to help us It's okay as we said, to help us to distinguish between a test and a punishment
to assist us in humbling ourselves to His magnificence
and realizing
how much he deserves from us
which will help us
to be comfortable even in the uncertainty about whether it is a trial or a punishment as a motivation to consistently rectify ourselves
and improve our relationship with Allah subhanaw taala and abandoned sins and be more being more dutiful in our worship of Him insha Allah does that mean level hailing or about a coffee?
Political
so now we're going to open up the floor for anybody. So any of you would like to ask a question please raise your hand
I suggest you also give them a two minute break to stand up stretch flex your muscles do whatever you want and then we can ask questions inshallah if there are questions
including myself
have some refreshments for those who wants to get
out
truth
and the truth is often
for any sisters that would like to ask your questions you can actually do so as well by writing weekly
one on one years
this
session
so anybody who would like to pass any questions question?
Yeah, my question is, based on what you said just now or anything where the hour has passed a punishment, it is also based on pure attention or good or bad. So, being there from the younger generation, too much of that prosecute on being reminded at some point and keeping people away from him. So there's peer pressure. For some people, they may think that it's a two year product.
So this kind of behavior, I think that if it's too consistent, then Allah might give us the punishments and how to the question will be how to actually deepen our left to Allah
in the hopes, and what are the steps to get to close it over and it's the corner to think that anything that could happen to you and when you must be thankful
When
that happens, you have to reach.
So you're asking how can you improve yourself in
being patient whenever calamity hits? Is that what you're asking and how we do do that, for the younger generations.
Understand that understandably, for the younger generations, it will be a little bit more difficult because their cognizance of Allah subhanaw taala is at a different level compared to the adults. But when you try to instill these values, as early as possible in your children, this is most beneficial. Sometimes we underestimate
how our children can begin to know and understand and even love Allah subhanho wa taala. But then underestimation many times, prevents you from instilling that at the proper age. So you start maybe very late.
And they're already a little bit older, they're already affected by certain ideas and so on, so forth. Start early. Okay. So, look, man.
When he was telling his son, he told him very early on, he said, the biller in the sugar level monoline and he probably explained what in the shoe shed color hormone or the mini means. He said, Don't associate parties with Allah. He's teaching him at a very early age, who is Allah? And what are his rights upon us?
You can start at an early age, you can instill that in them. And you will definitely see that now. You will start to understand where they're at, by their questions, the types of questions they're asking.
I believe most of you have gotten questions from your children maybe as early as four or five or six, about Allah, Who is Allah? What is he like? What does he do? You start instilling that very early on the love of Allah subhanaw taala the fact that Allah azza wa jal loves those who do good loves those who worship and who will based him. Allah subhanaw taala abhors those who defy him. Allah subhanaw taala wants us to be good in the dunya because he wants to take us to paradise in an era even the idea of paradise and hellfire very early on. So, you start instilling that in the youngsters, then
and obviously, because in the dunya, they are seeing certain things calamities, accidents and so on. Again, be careful of this pitfall
trying to teach them very, very early on that this from Allah, that might be a little bit too early. The issue of the cada
Why did the accident happen? Allah decreed it, Why did Allah decree it?
This is more difficult. This is sometimes difficult even for adults to understand much less the children.
So
to your best extent,
try not to attribute
a lot of things that happen around us especially when you are a clear contributing factor to it to Allah has OSHA and why did the accident happen?
I was driving too quickly the guy swerved in whatever it is. You can teach them cut their Allah Masha file. This is a decree this is decreed by Allah Alhamdulillah we are patient without going into too many details until you start understanding when prosperity when you are in prosperity. when good things are happening, you immediately attributed to Allah subhanaw taala. Later on, they begin to understand the issue of the tuck dear, but tuck Diem with regards to calamities
and suffering.
Many adults didn't get it right. So it can be a little bit difficult. The death of a loved one. Why does he die?
My son, life and death are decreed. That's enough. Allah decrease this thing. Some people live some people die. It's natural. Right?
I think this is
this is a fine point that we should observe when we're trying to trying to talk about these issues with our children. Is that does that answer your question?
Yes.
Yes,
yes, thank you. Oh, why don't you answer then.
It can be both. All right.
It probably doesn't matter that we have got this positive thinking this is just trials and tribulations.
The second point is
punishment.
In our mind is punishment to the believers? Yes.
Yes.
Absolutely, absolutely.
Try
to assert to a certain extent you can kind of look at it that way.
If the reaction is correct. So, after saying everything we said,
to answer the question, whether it is a trial or punishment, you can actually take two avenues to answer that by looking at the past and by looking at the future. And too many people look at the past, Oh, what did I do to deserve this? What happens so that Allah subhanaw taala is doing this to me?
Sometimes, that is correct. It is due to something that occurred something you did, therefore it is a punishment, or it's just a test by Allah subhanaw taala. And as we said, Allah does what he pleases. Or the other possibility is that you become more forward looking, how are you gonna react
to what you've been afflicted with, and this is what the Quran actually directs to and focuses on. So after the IAF, let me just finish this point, after the I am mentioning, well, then everyone that can be che immunol hopefully will do. And then he said, Well, basically the summary and give glad tidings to the patient. Who are they Olivia either, Saba Tomasi Ba, ba, Lu in Allah and Ali Raja in Raja
Salah to
Allah,
who are the ones who deserve the Mercy of Allah subhanaw taala and his blessings, those who reacted to the musi by the predicament in the proper way, those who were patient, so knowing if it is a patina or punishment, another way of ascertaining that is by seeing your response to it.
If your response was patient, and you said in alila, in June, God willing, this is just a test from Allah subhanaw taala. And you were patient, as you said, even if it was a punishment, that's why I said, whether it's this or this
can you be anything other than patient? So patience is a given, right? What might slightly change is the way I evaluate or if it's a punishment, I'm doing something wrong, I need to rectify it. If it's just a test, okay, maybe I don't need to look that hard. For some sin that I'm committing. You see what I'm saying. But patience is a given in both. So you're going to be patient, even if Allah is punishing me. And when I am patient, it becomes a cleansing. It's a cleansing from Allah subhanaw taala everything, every adversity or affliction that's why I mentioned the hadith of Salah, do even a thorn prick something very minor. It's a cleansing and purification from Allah subhanaw taala on
an individual level and on a collective level, look at the OMA look at what's happening to your brothers and sisters in Syria and Yemen, in Burma
on the level of the Ummah, where they are actually then doing catastrophes and they are patient, this is a purification Allah will raise their status they will Allah subhanaw taala will take shahada and so on Yes Good.
Yes, love and positive thinking yes. However,
we are very much influenced by the cultivation of the cultures of different okay
yes Alhamdulillah
yeah
yeah,
please tell me because then I can understand my Malaysian brothers and sisters more.
Yeah. So, tell me are you
meaning
are you Oh, no translating for me now so we can discuss it
okay.
Is it is it a good culture?
Both ways there are good and bad.
Sure.
You want
to you want them to understand you? Yes. The mindset acculturation
process
our culture just saying that something because of you Yes, it means that you have committed a lot of things. Hmm. But it's only to the understanding of the culture.
Right, right. Process. Uh huh.
How can you give a souvenir to all the youth here today? Yes,
it was something positive coming from but from your talk, that everything that you want to face, from now on something
is like a gift.
That's why that's what it's a gift because Allah subhanaw taala is raising your status. So when you start thinking, if I stub my toe, Allah will reward me because of something so minor. Then imagine the rest of them is fortunate. This is all this is. This is the positive thinking bit. Having the patience the Hadith of the Prophet SAW Selim that we mentioned, if it is prosperity, thank Allah, if it is adversity, be patient, and it is all good for you the prophets of Salaam is telling you how German the Umbrella Movement can look Umrah. Hello, hi. Well, he said that the movement so he's telling you all of the affairs on the believer or good prosperity or adversity, houseboys, how's
that for positive thinking? Right? Everything is good, if you understand it.
Islamically prosperity we thank Allah, adversity, we are patient. Allah rewards us. Allah pure vice purifies us of sins, Allah raises our status. If there is a punishment implicitly in that
which we might not know about. It only reinforces what should already be there, and be practiced constantly, which is the introspection part. Looking deep inside ourselves, Chris, critically evaluating our relationship with Allah subhanaw taala Did I do something wrong? This is also very important because you said acculturation, we live in a world of pat yourself on the back, you're doing great, you're amazing, you're mesmerizing. You're gonna be in the you know, the first one to enter paradise and so on so forth. Sahaba were not like that. There was always introspection, there was self deprecation, but self deprecation that was motivational
that incited them to do more, not to do less. So this is where we need to keep looking at ourselves. If self development requires that we understand ourselves better understand yourself better not only as a personality, but as a human being with the relationship with the Creator.
Yes, sister.
I cannot hear you.
Yes
or no long time? Is it true that any kind of tests or punishments that we receive during our lifetime would lessen the punishment in there? Absolutely. Absolutely. When we talk about purification and cleansing
that's when the other authentic hadith of the prophets of salaam he said that Allah will keep testing the human being okay to purify and cleanse them until he is walking on this earth sinless
hastening the punishment in the dunya
is so that you will not have the punishment of an Astra which is Allah worse. He is giving you of the minor quote unquote punishment and the dunya so that you will not have it in an accurate
yeah
okay to have one
that's why
as much as possible, as long as you're a patient, as long as it doesn't affect you. That's why one of the amazing Sahaba when he had like a really bad fever, and it was kind of constant, he said, Oh Allah afflict me with what you please as long as I'm patient. This idea I'm fine with affliction as long as I can be patient with it. If it's beyond me.
No, I cannot deal with that. That's why the prophets of salaam said we're looking at half year ticket Oh Lee, I desire I fear rather than testing. We don't ask Allah for testing and tribulation. We ask Allah for Alfia right
Do we ask Allah for? We do ask Allah for prosperity. We don't want to be tested. We don't know if we'll be patient. But we say Oh ALLAH fu test me. Give me patience with that test.
This is also a good question. She says how do you practice contentment?
And does pain nullify contentment for instance, remembering the trial and feeling pain when you remember it, and also what it was always expressing pain to Allah without complaining.
My dear brother sister complained to Allah.
complaining to Allah is not the complaining, which is blameworthy. It's consistently complaining to feeble human beings. So you're coming to me and you're, you're complaining and you want me to help you. For all practical purposes, it's like a drowning person trying to seek help from another drowning person. See, come from Allah. complaint to Allah subhanaw taala
that's who you should complain to. We don't complain enough to Allah subhanaw taala we don't speak enough to Allah subhanaw taala Zachary Ali Salam was calling on Allah azza wa jal. He was talking to him. He was describing the situation. When he said any 100 Allah woman he wished Allah sushi but what can be accomplished? When they give 10 million why Allah Akbar fullstory
He's telling Allah subhanaw taala about the directness of his situation and why he wants someone to inherit him.
Before he granted them Yeah, as a miracle.
complained to Allah we don't complain to Allah enough.
See it as it is, talk to him.
Describe the situation, ask Allah azza wa jal to make a way out. So this is not wrong. Actually, the problem is we complain too much to people who don't want to listen to your problem.
That's why one of the poet's said Subhanallah you keep asking the human being the human being gets more irritated and more annoyed, the more you ask, and the person who gets angry with you, if you do not ask him and this is Allah, you're not asking that all
of us can seek Him, complain to him.
Ask Allah subhanaw taala to rectify your situation.
feeling the pain is only natural sister.
feeling the pain is only natural and this does not nullify contentment. No.
Actually, the more pain you feel, but deep down your content, the better it is. That's why when
scholars were complaining the extent of contentedness of the Prophet SAW Salem with others, they found that in the province of Salem better. So when someone said
if his son or daughter died, he wouldn't cry. He is happy with the other of Allah.
But the Prophet SAW Salem cried when he lost his son. They said his river, the river the contentedness of the province of Salem is better and more praiseworthy, then of that person who's saying, if my child dies, I won't cry.
Why? Because that pain is only natural, and that pain is an expression of mercy and love, and this is praiseworthy.
And the more contentedness you have,
which exists simultaneous simultaneously with the pain, the more that contentedness is worth, so no there is no contradiction.
But when it starts affecting
that level of contentedness when you start saying,
why did that happened to me?
Why did Allah take that loved one from me? Now we're we've gone beyond the realm of pain and into the realm of
objection to the father of Allah.
You see what I'm saying?
Oh, sorry, yeah, another one.
That Haman will disobeyed.
They will be severe next.
This is
a very
basic
concept related to Kedah.
Sisters sister or brother, I don't know, is saying that if Allah created humans and he knows they will disobey. So why did he do so? If he knows they will disobey?
Simple answer, he also knows they will obey.
So many will obey, right?
Someone obeys some of the survey, he will reward those who obey and he will punish those who disobey.
Is that difficult to understand?
Yes, some of the survey and others.
Did he force you into disobedience?
Yes or no? When you disobeyed Allah?
Did he force you?
Did you feel a magical hand pushing you or what's happening? Oh my god, I'm going to the place of disobedience. Did you feel something like that? No, you went willingly, you did it willingly.
And this is the
this is the test of freewill. It goes both ways.
You have free will, you will do good. Some will do good. Some will obey some will disobey based on that Allah subhanaw taala will reward or punish it's not a matter of fairness or unfairness we said Allah does what He wills and it is in his entire wisdom. That's why when he told them a lie, ICA after Crete well telling them that he is going to create the Khalifa and that he's going to make that Khalifa on Earth. So they are the ones who asked Allah that attach Alfia ministry men UFC to feel as we could, Dima,
oh Allah are you going to make this Khalifa
and they are going to corrupt it and they are going to shed blood and so on. So Allah says in the level mulata Allahu Allah knows all I know what you do not know.
Just as people are going to disobey justice, people are going to corrupt justice people are going to shed blood. They're people who are going to worship.
There are people who are going to love. There are people who are going to show compassion. There are people who are going to reform there are people who are going to build
and Allah subhanaw taala wants to reward those
and he will punish the evildoers.
Even though when you look at the big picture, the Mercy of Allah subhanaw taala
will overwhelm even his anger.
No, I just said, if you have pain because of the test that's only natural, losing a loved one having enduring some catastrophe, it's only natural. The Prophet SAW Selim himself saying our fear is better. Okay, rather than if Tila rather than a test. So feeling that pain is only natural.
Basically, if we feel pain, does that nullify contentedness? It's similar to the other question or does that in any way mean that our Eman is less? Whoa, that pain is more than natural. The realm where you need to expend effort is being content with that not objecting to the color of Allah subhanaw taala the extent to which you are content with what Allah subhanaw taala decreed.
If you get to a very high level and very high status that we read about in the stories of the Sahaba and the tabular and they tell you things like
adversity and prosperity are equal in my eyes
may be a very difficult
pedestal to reach where they're saying whether it is prosperity or adversity. It is the same to me. It is the color of Allah and I'm happy. Okay.
Abdelkarim might have felt otherwise, that it is only natural to want adversity and as in the DUA, the prophets of salaam that we mentioned.
And anything else you're ever
wondering.
Okay, one last question.
Imagine you are in a refugee camp in Syria or Palestine. Would you be giving the same advice to the public today? You see a Sunday suffering and to choose between
punishment
and a test. Did I say it is a punishment
I'm trying to give you the tools through which you can identify if it is a trial, or if it is a punishment, number one. Number two.
I said in the beginning, from a logical perspective, and I gave you also some of the Hadith that whether we know or not,
is not that important.
You see what I'm saying?
Thirdly, Sr. Allow me just a minute. Thirdly, I'm giving a talk to a bunch of beautiful brothers and sisters in Dr. Cafe, in the strand in the Italian jakela, Damansara, Damansara. Right, Malaysia, necessarily, that will differ than a talk I will be giving to the refugees, let's say, in Syria, or Lebanon or Bangladesh.
You see, I'm saying, so, I kind of I think I know what you're getting at, which is that, you know, you, you feel that the positive message is to say that everything is a test rather than a punishment from Allah subhanaw taala. Now, this is a totally different atmosphere, you cannot
bring the two together, go ahead.
The government,
government, but you felt by the citizens, okay. The other thing is probably
your honorable person, myself, and myself, we are
very mature. So our way of thinking is probably different than the younger I see. I see.
You're afraid that you might be punished. And that's why when you mentioned earlier,
you see that as a punishment, that there will have sleepless nights. This is
okay, great. This is why I said,
if a person gets to the level of remember gets to the level, where engrossing themselves in the idea of the punishment of Allah subhanaw taala no longer becomes a motivator,
then you need to stop thinking that way. Remember, when I said that,
this is why I said moderation.
For many of the Sahaba, and the terrain we mentioned, they can be thinking it's a punishment all the time, because they they understand the level of their negligence towards the rights of Allah subhanaw taala, they have no problem seeing everything as a punishment, they probably think this is little, they got to a different level.
But if then idea that you are being punished by Allah subhanaw taala no longer becomes a motivator to action and rather becomes a hindrance and a distraction, remember, then you should not be thinking that way. And that's why I said in the first place.
Maybe you shouldn't even be asking the question. As I said, in the very beginning, before I even talked about the tools, right? Why are we asking this question in the first place? Why do you want to know, why is this certainty important? Uncertainty may be a better motivator. Right? And I can agree with you indeed, that for some of the youngsters, that's the way they want to look at it, especially as they are young. Maybe they have maybe they're not even held accountable yet.
They're not even held accountable. So there is no punishment anyway. It's just a test of Allah subhanaw taala. And indeed, in many of these cases, it is a test from Allah. And if you look at it in the forward looking manner that I mentioned,
Mission rubbishy the slavery, Latina, either suboptimal Ziva, if they are tested or tried, they are patient and they say in la la, la La Jolla. So you have Congratulations, you have made it a test because you pass it by being patient by thanking Allah by returning the issue to Allah subhanaw taala. And by ultimately
doing what is required in such a situation whereby you your status has been raised and you have been purified of sin in sha Allah. Yes system.
I think maybe disclosures not correlated with our current discussion, which is punishment. This is something like how it is I have this experience. I have a key three years old. I've been explaining about the existence of God.
I asked him, What is God it was it this is it this situation where are where I bought it that I said, You need to be clean you need
would be a human to take care of his hygiene. And then he asked me why I say because I'm one of those people who are clean and hygienic. And then he asked me where Allah COVID Allah, what is Allah that I keep explaining to him and one day he was playing around me is basically around me and I see why he was in your armies, if this aligns with me is following me.
Offering is always very detailed and assessing up to extract. For those below five news, only one things that logic at what they observe from their own hands, is something we can't really provide for my own feet.
Under your
understandably, and I think you answered yourself to a certain extent, which is always at this age,
attributing things to Allah subhanaw taala may be problematic. So why should it be hygienic because if you're not clean, you're gonna get you know, you're gonna be uncomfortable, you're gonna have a disease or you're gonna suffer this and that, you know, instead of saying something like, Allah loves it, and he doesn't even quite understand what we're who Allah subhanaw taala is, for these issues, it's very easy to give them the simple answer, okay, instead of always saying, This is what Allah wants. This is what Allah loves. Why should I be truthful? Allah loves it, who's Allah, okay? You should be truthful because it is good manners. Allah subhanaw taala loves good manners, you can
do that. Now, trying to rectify his idea of what Allah is. This is where you need to explain to them yes, they are used to things which are tangible, not only children, but adults are saying there is no Allah because I can't touch it, and I can't see it. And I can't hear it, much less the children and this is the curse of positivism that we have in our world today. But ultimately, you can explain Allah is not like his creatures.
laser can be three shades. Allah is beyond this. Again, I totally understand what he's saying. All right. But you have to correct it. He's not your friend. He's not an he's not your friend. Another is not an imaginary friend is not following you. He's not like us. He's beyond us. But he's the creator of everything. Okay. At one point, my little daughter thought paradise was a place maybe in the Mancera that we were gonna go to? Okay. Honestly, when are we going to Jenna in all concerts? A half an hour drive?
Okay.
This is this is the way kids are? Okay. It's It's understandable. So
maybe, maybe he's too young at this point to understand who Allah subhanaw taala is, but you can, you can correct those misconceptions that he has, he still has them, don't worry in a year or two, he'll start to understand and more he started to understand and more and things will become clearer to him. But when there are things which you can explain simply, all right, as a matter of fact, that have to do with the dunya just do it that way. This
discussion, we hope that everyone has benefited from this.
Just a couple of announcements before we adjourn this session Shala
we will be having a two days intensive course which is called the minds of nations. It's about the lives and the background of the wives of Prophet sallallahu Sallam is going to be on the 21st and 22nd April 2018. Java will be doing an KDU blackberry and it's going to be conducted by Shepherd west from South Africa. So the price