The 17 benefits and wisdoms of trials and tribulations #02
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Channel: Navaid Aziz
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In Al Hamdulillah Namah, Hornstein ohana So, when our Villa Himanshu Rudy unforseen and woman sejati Melina Maja Holla Holla Holla Holla Holla Holla Holla Holla Holla Holla Holla Holla sharika or shadow no Mohammed Abu Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa not only he was talking to he was seldom at the Sleeman kathira and my dad, my dear brothers and sisters Salaam Alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu.
I want to show it off tonight's halaqa by just sharing a reflection on
the verses that were recited in South Asia. So in the second Raka, our beloved brother and Jacob Dorfman, he recited verses from sortal out of particularly the verse that I want to focus on is verse 44. And in verse 44, Allah subhanho wa Taala tells us that in the Hereafter, people will call out the people of genda will call out to the people of janam. That surely we found what our Lord has promised us. Did you find what your Lord has promised you? And then someone from amongst them will call out? After they say yes that we did find what our Lord promises someone from amongst them will call out that surely the curse of Allah subhanho wa Taala is upon the oppressors. Now, when I think
about this verse, I think about the power of this verse, that Allah subhanho wa Taala has told us that there's only two camps in the hereafter the people have agenda and the people have agenda. There is that small minority who are the people of our off that there's a lot of discussion about, but at the end of the day, you're either from the people agenda, or the people agenda, those are the only two options. And I think about the visualization or the imagery that Allah subhanaw taala set forth, that imagine all of the things that Allah subhanho wa Taala has prepared for you and Jenna, and I want to do a small activity,
who can share something that they would like to do and Jenna, who can share with me something that you would like to do and Jenna, go ahead.
You want to have a house in China? Excellent. Our sister in the back, go ahead. You want to fly? Okay, may Allah make it easy our sister over here
to see Allah subhanho wa Taala. And that is the the greatest of blessings that we will be talking about. And we'll take one more over here, go ahead.
To meet the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam great activities, and each and every individual will have whatever they desire.
And the people will testify to this that yes, we found everything that our Lord promised us. But at the exact opposite end of the spectrum that we're talking about are the people of jahannam. And they are people that they will be asked, Did you find what your Lord has promised you? And for me, that is very petrifying, that is very, very scary. Because while we enjoy the benefits and luxuries of Jannah, there is that reality that what if we don't make it there, and we seek refuge and protection from Allah. Now, this is not to scare people. But this is to present a reality that we need to have our goal in mind our vision in mind, our focus in mind that we want to be the people of Paradise, we
want to focus, we want to be those that question out, did you find what your Lord promised you to be true, we want to be that camp, that's who we wanted to be. But in order to get to that camp, you have to take action, you have to be doing actions from the people of paradise. And this is what I wanted to start off with that.
Keep that reality in mind that you know, on your calendars you have on such and such date, I have an exam on such and such date I have an important meeting
on our calendar should also be that sooner or later, we're going to meet Allah subhanaw taala? And what is that meeting going to be like? And eventually we will either pass or we will fail? Are we putting in the adequate preparation to be from the people that succeed? and from time to time, just keep revisiting this verse? Because I'm telling you just imagining and visualizing what that conversation looks like, where the people of general are on top of their question that people have joined them at the bottom as they're being punished. Did you find what your Lord promised you to be true? Meaning that the people of jahannam will know they would have known that their crimes that
they committed, came with a punishment. And that is when they will shout out? Yes, we found it to be true. And there's no escaping that the people agenda will have their luxuries and their fulfillment of their desires, and the people of john then we'll have punishment and pain. And Allah subhanaw taala presents both of those scenarios, that we seek refuge in one and distance ourselves from the actions of that group. And make our goal and ambition the other and make sure our actions align with the actions of those people know Allah subhanho wa Taala Grant tofik. I mean, with that being said, we're going to do a quick recap.
What we took last week. So last week we took 10 of them, we're just going to quickly read through them in sha Allah from the benefits is realizing the greatness of Allah subhanho wa Taala His Lordship and his all encompassing power. Number two, realizing the humility of servitude, they acknowledge that they belong to Him, that they are both lowly servants of his that they will return to Him for judgment and are subject to his decree and regulation. They know that they have nowhere to flee from him, and no way to escape him. subhanho wa Taala and then actualizing sincerity for Allah because there is no way to repress hardship except by recursing to him, and there is no one
that will that one can depend on to remove it except him. Number four, turning in maintenance Inaba, and we discussed that last week to Allah and directing one's heart to Him, submissiveness and supplication is number five
and number six is forbearance. And number seven is forgiving the human agent to cause the trial, there was something that I wanted to read out, but he didn't get a chance to last week. So I'll do that. Now. This is a statement from one of the scholars of Hadith. But anyway, he had done a whole lot. He's compiled a compilation of Hadith, but he's also done smaller articles and essays that deal with the softening of the heart. And he says, it is necessary that the intelligent that the intelligent accustom his soul is to forgiving people, and to leave repaying evil with evil mean the intelligent person, you'll make it a habit that he leaves off seeking revenge and learns to forgive.
This is because there is nothing that would silence and evil better than good treatment and benefit since. And there is nothing that would stir up evil more than repaying evil with evil mean that there's no good deed that is better than repaying evil with good. And you will see the evil of revenge in the evil that revenge causes mean that no good scenario has ever come out of someone seeking revenge. whoever desires copious reward to receive devote to love and good mentioned, let him experience the bitterness of opposing his basic desires, and taking to the way we have highlighted, joining relations when they have been severed, giving in the face of prevention held
him in the face of ignorance and forgiveness in the face of oppression. These are the greatest morals and manners of the religious. So he goes on to mention that when you hold these characteristics, particularly of forgiveness, when people have wronged you, it comes with copious reward meaning a great amount of pleasure. It comes with a devout love from Allah subhanho wa Taala. And a good mention. And this good mention is in the heavens, with the angels and Allah subhanho wa Taala. But it's also on this earth, that when people have the ability to seek revenge, and they withhold from that revenge, and they learn to forgive, then Allah subhanaw taala inspires love into
the hearts of the people. So that this person is mentioned, as this is a person that is forgiving, and he has set a lofty example. And then he goes on to mention specific things that let him experience the bitterness of opposing his basic desire, and taking the weight that we have highlighted, meaning that forgiving people, there's a bitterness and there's a hardship that comes with it. No one says forgiving people is going to be easy. So understand that, yes, it will be bitter. But that is part of the struggle in a team that reward from Allah subhanho wa Taala. Then he gives specific examples of what this looks like that when people are cutting you off, you go out of
your way to keep those ties of kinship. So those family members that have tried to cut you off, you go out of your way to keep ties with them. You get in the way of when you are being prevented, meaning when Allah subhanaw taala has withheld his or this from you, then you find it in your hearts, you find some way somehow to give in the way of Allah subhanho wa Taala him in the face of ignorance, that when people mistreat you, they say derogatory things about you, they're very hasty to make judgments about you, you withhold and you're afraid, and you do not respond in kind. And then last but not least, you forgive in the way in the face of oppression. Then when people oppress
you, you find a way to forgive them. And he says that these are the greatest characteristics and morals and manners that the people of religion can have, which I think is something very, very powerful, particularly in our day and age.
If you look at how religious people are portrayed
on TV,
who can actually the the most appropriate example that I can think of is Ned Flanders, for those of you that have watched The Simpsons, like Ned Flanders is this preachy guy? He's not very smart. He's always preaching and bothering his neighbors. And he can't seem to do things right. Like religious people are not viewed in a positive light. And you can pretty much see any show any news media clip, like you think about how Muslims are portrayed as terrorists, the Vatican and the church is portrayed, you know, as abusers of children like the people
of religion are not viewed in a positive light. So how do you counter that? You counter that by holding these characteristics. And eventually, if every person of religion was to hold on to these characteristics, in particular, eventually the narrative in the media and the society changes as well. And you have to understand it is an uphill battle. But that is part of the struggle, that we change ourselves. And eventually, the less I know dollar changes the society around us as well. So I wanted to highlight that about point number seven.
Which brings us to Whoops, I skipped point number eight patients and steadfastness in the face of affliction. This leads to Allah's love and an increase in his rewards. Which brings us to number nine,
which is experiencing joy at the onslaught of the calamity because of the many benefits it contains. And I wanted to share a hadith that I skipped last week, which is reported by and very happy, Abou mamelodi Allahu anhu. He reports that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, Allah tests you through tribulation, in order to refine you, just as you will find gold with fire. amongst you are those who are left as resembling pure gold, such as the person whom Allah has saved from evil deeds, amongst you are those who are left resembling gold of a lesser quality, such as a person who falls into some decree, degree of doubt. And amongst you are those who are left resembling back black
gold, such a person is one who gives in to the trial.
So here the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam he gives this example of extracting gold, and gold, it is often surrounded by or it is surrounded by coal, it is surrounded by this material that leaves a stain on your clothes, it smells, it doesn't have a pleasant odor. But in order to actually get to that gold, you have to put fire to it, you have to put fire to the call in order to extract the core. And this is what the prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam mentions over here, that when you put the fire to the cool, three things, one of three things will happen. Either you will get that pure gold that you're seeking, or you will get a lesser quality of the God that still has some remnants
of the core, or in fact, you will not reach that gold whatsoever. And that gold is still there, that potential is still there, but it's still surrounded by the core. And this is the example of the one in terms of how they respond to those trials, those individuals that get closer to Allah subhanaw taala and recognize that this life is temporary, and they make the effort on their focus, then they end up becoming that pure gold. Those individuals that from time to time they have some doubts as to why is Allah trying me, you know, is this actually part of a greater plan, you know, is Allah subhanho wa Taala have the best interest, my best interest in mind, those sorts of doubts, then
these people inshallah they'll still get through, but they're considered the lesser quality of the gold, then there's those individuals that completely fail. What is failure and trials and tribulation look like? Those are the people that turned to disobeying Allah subhanho wa Taala. So as I mentioned, they become abusive, they start to curse and swear, they become addicted to substances, or rather use substances as a distraction from their problems like alcohol and like drugs. That is what failure looks like. But what's interesting is that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam mentioned that they are black gold, meaning that that potential is still there in them, you don't
give up hope on these people. But in that particular trial, they have failed mean that they still have another chance that when their next trial comes, then inshallah they can find their way out of it. So there's never a time when you give up completely on a person that has failed a trial, but rather be that helping hand as we've been talking about, and try to help them for the next time that when they're in that state of trial, inshallah they can succeed. And they are from that pure gold, or from the lesser quality of that gold. Which brings us to number 10. Being grateful at the onset of calamity, because of the many benefits it contains. comparable of this is the case of a sick
person, thanking a doctor who has just amputated one of his limbs in order to save his life, even though this would serve to disable him to some extent.
Which brings us now to continuing where we left off, which is point number 11. It's expiation of sins and errors.
Allah subhanho wa Taala. He says In short, the show Allah wa sobre como si button, Furby Marchesa, but a de comb yrF one Cofield and Allah subhanaw taala. He says, any disaster that strikes you in through what your hands have earned, and he pardons much is through what your hands have earned any partners much. Meaning that trials and tribulations that come our way, a lot of them not all of them, but a lot of them are through decisions and actions that we make, and had Allah subhanho wa Taala wanted evil for us, then he would have held us accountable for each error and each sin and each mistake that we make
But rather Allah subhanho wa Taala pardons a lot of those mistakes, and he forgives a lot of those mistakes and does not hold us accountable. Now, in return, what actually happens? The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam says, and we'll talk about this shortly, that the believer is not afflicted with an illness or hardship, even if it's be a worry that troubles him, or a thorn that freaks him, except that his sins would be exceeded as a result. Meaning that if you're afflicted with illness, or a hardship, or even a thought, that makes you worried, even the thought that makes you worried, or a thorn pricks you, some of your sins are being forgiven, some of your sins are
being forgiven. Now, what do we want to focus on over here? Number one, the greater the trial from Allah, the greater the forgiveness from Allah subhanaw taala. And this is something that's so important is to keep in mind, because when you go through trials, Allah subhanho wa Taala is increasing your opportunity for forgiveness. And that's something that you have to keep in mind, that at the end of the day, some people will earn Allah subhanaw taala is mercy through the good deeds that they do. other individuals will earn the mercy of Allah subhanho wa Taala by being patient upon the trials that Allah subhanho wa Taala has sent to them. So certain individuals due to
their lack of good deeds being done to certain individuals due to the lack of good deeds being done.
They will earn forgiveness from Allah subhanho wa Taala through the trials that they go through through the trials that they go through. And that's an important perspective to keep in mind that as a human being, you want to keep that balance in mind, that am I doing enough good deeds to wipe out my sins, because if I'm not doing enough good deeds to wipe out my sins, then Allah subhanaw taala sends those trials my way to purify me of those sins to purify me of those sins. And I want to expand upon this even greater, that as we started off this halaqa by talking about gender and gender and being destinations, gender is the purest of all boats, and no one will enter Jannah except that
he has been purified already. So there's no purification in Jana, but you will be purified before you get to Jenna, when does that purification process begin? It begins in this life, and you go through multiple stages. So you will be purified in this life, through the good deeds that you do, or through the hardships and calamities that you face. And that is the only time where you can do good deeds, to lessen your your your since then the next phase is at the time of death. At the time of death there are there is hardship there's calamity through which you are being purified of your sins. And the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam mentioned that he was now the struggle he had was
twice the amount of any average human being and he sweated profusely and this is actually a good sign of one's death, that if there is a severe fever or severe sickness, before the person passes away, this is actually considered a good sign, because it is a sign of purification, that is the second time of purification will take place. The third time purification will take place is in the grave itself. This will be through questioning this will be through punishment. This will be through the darkness bill this will be through the squeezing and multiple things that will happen in the grave. That's stage number three. stage number four is on the Day of Judgment is on the Day of
Judgment itself. This will be when the reckoning is happening. This will be when you're crossing the Surat this will be when people will hold each other accountable before they enter into Jannah. And that will be stage number four. And if people haven't been purified and cleansed by that time, there is a stage number five, which is being in Jannah for a short period of time, the believers will never be in jahannam forever or for eternity, or as long as Jana musts, but rather they will only be there for a short period of time till they are purified. And then they are entered into jhana. At that time, they're entered into jhana at that time, as a class, can we repeat the five stages? What
is stage one of purification? Where you do your good deeds in your life to get
to get enough for for for Jenna? Excellent. So it's in the life of this world where you're doing good deeds to wipe out your sins, or you're seeking forgiveness. And if that hasn't happened, then Allah subhanaw taala sends trials and tribulations your way. Go ahead.
Today
excellent. At the time of death, the hardships and calamities that you face from the sisters what was number three?
Go ahead.
Punishment in the grave. Excellent. That is phase number three. Number four, from the
Sisters as well, what was phase number four? Yep.
On the Day of Judgment itself, and we said number five was a possibility not for everyone, we pray that Allah subhanaw taala protects us from it. And those are the believers that will be dipped into the Hellfire, and then they are purified and entered in to Jenna. So now when you keep this in mind that your sins are purifying you, this should also help change your perspective, that you would rather be cleansed and purified in this dunya, where you still have some relative options of control, that you can control your response you can draw the good deeds you do, you can control the dwis that you make, you can control the forgiveness that you seek, you can control the help that you
ask Allah subhanaw taala for. And once you get past this, then there's no coming back. So that is why it is important to understand that when we're talking about being grateful for calamities, this is why people are grateful that it protects them from being purified in the hereafter where you do not have control of those things. And the punishment and accountability is much, much more severe punishment is much, much more severe. At this point, I also wanted to share with you a couple of statements.
And this is from a halfling, Hydra himolla he says so whoever is in a state of receiving favors, it is obligatory upon him to show patients and gratitude patients from disobedience. Whoever is in a state of trial, it is obligatory upon him to show patience and gratitude and gratitude by establishing the rights of Allah during trial. Indeed, servitude is due to Allah in times of tribulation, and in times of ease. So we'll have the Mohajer he sort of tying in points 10 and 11. Together, were point number 10 was about being grateful. And point number 11 is about understanding the virtue of having sins being forgiven by Allah subhanaw taala. And how a person is going to be in
a station of being patient, and in the state of gratitude, at all times, mean that you would never come a time where you're not showing gratitude to Allah subhanho wa Taala. And there shouldn't there will never come a time where you are not in need of patience. So in times of calamity, patience is very easy, you stay away from disobeying Allah subhanaw taala. But also in times of prosperity, people lose focus of that they think that you know what, I have free rein to commit sin in times of prosperity, but that's what brings on the calamity. If in times of prosperity, you can control yourself and refrain from that sin, then this further along gets the prosperity from Allah subhanho
wa Taala is further along gets the prosperity from Allah subhanho wa Taala. Which brings us to point number 12.
showing mercy to those who are undergoing affliction and coming to the trial, and eight.
You know, there's certain calamities that people go through, that other people just can't relate to them until they've experienced it themselves. Until you've experienced it yourself, you have no idea what that feels like. And again, this is like the severe trials that I'm talking about, you know, children that go through abuse, losing a beloved family member, like losing your child while you're alive. These are severe trials that individuals will go through, that people can't really relate to. So the author's trying to do over here is help us understand that all of the trials that you go through, one of the objectives behind them, is to make you more merciful and compassionate, and
empathetic towards those that are going through similar trials. And that every individual goes through their own trial, just like everyone sins, and everyone sins in their own way. People are tried and people are tried in their own ways, as well. And one of the mistakes that we always make is thinking that Oh, I wish I had such and such is life. I wish I had the job. I wish I had the family. I wish I had their car I wish I had x, y and Zed of theirs, not realizing that with those blessings that Allah gave them. They are going through their own trial. They are going through their own trial. And the objective of trial is to make us more compassionate and more merciful. And this
is why the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and this is the first idea that every student of knowledge will learn. You start to study Hadith is the very first Hadith you will learn where the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam says, aha moment for dunya your Hanako manifest sama that have mercy and compassion upon the inhabitants of the earth. And he who is above the heavens shall have mercy and compassion upon you. So when you look at
trials and tribulations understand that it's meant to rectify your insight as well. And it's meant to increase your mercy and compassion, such that when you see someone struggling, you make it an objective for yourself, then I need to help them out of it, I need to help them out of it. And this is very obvious that I want you to think about, if you saw someone in the ditch and you're walking by, would you not try to help them out of the ditch? If you're walking by and someone is drowning in water? Would you at least not call someone to help them? Or at least try yourself to help them you would say if we would help people through physical trials? Why is it we are not willing to help
people through psychological, emotional and spiritual trials, we have to create that awareness that people are being tried, we may not always be able to see it. But sometimes it manifests itself through different actions. Someone that used to come to the machine regularly, all of a sudden is no longer coming to the masjid. A sister that used to wear hijab, all of a sudden takes it off. What ends up happening in these situations is judgment. Oh, you know, they did such and such. And this is why such and such happened, or they're a man must be low. And this is why they're being punished by x, y and Zed. But that's not what these trials and tribulations call for these trials and
tribulations call for mercy and compassion. So understand that everyone goes through trials sooner or later. And if you want a helping hand, during your moments of trials and tribulation, you have to be there in the moments of trials and tribulations of others. Allahu fiol. In the Abdi Maja Kunal Abdul, only he, then Allah subhanho wa Taala is in the help and aid of his servant and slave, as long as that servant is in the help and aid of their brothers and sisters. So understand when you see a spiritual trial, a psychological trial and emotional trial. It doesn't call for judgment, it calls for empathy and mercy. It calls for conversation and asking them, how can I help you out of
this? How can I help you out of this, and people will have insecurities, but you need to be there be a constant in their life, willing to support them, so that they feel safe and secure seeking your help at that time. And he shares verses of poetry. He says the only one to show mercy upon the lovers is the one who has loved and in Arabic, I guess that makes more sense than it does in English. But the point being, you know, you can only manifest love if you've experienced love itself, which brings us to
actually, he mentioned something else which I wanted to share as well. And this is reported in the mothball the mathematic. It's a statement of Isa he said I mean Prophet Isa Salaam is a statement recorded by Mr. Malik, where he says people are either living in times of ease and well being are facing tribulation. So be merciful to those who are facing tribulation. And thank Allah for your own well being. So again, he mentioned that in this life, you know, you're either in times of prosperity or times of adversity, when you come across someone who is in a time of adversity, be merciful towards them. And thank Allah subhanho wa Taala, for your own well being thank Allah subhanho wa
Taala, that you're not being tested with something similar. Which brings us to point number 13. No, which is understanding the greatness of the blessing of ease and well being. And this is because they are never truly appreciated, until one loses them. This is a statement that all of us are familiar with, that we will never truly appreciate blessings until Allah subhanho wa Taala takes them away from us. So in times of ease, one should understand that these blessings can be taken away at any given time. And don't wait till they're taken away, to appreciate them from Allah subhanho wa Taala, but rather in those times of prosperity, thank Allah subhanho wa Taala for them. So from the
the blessings of these trials and tribulations is that they make us grateful for what we have. You know, oftentimes people relate this to relationships, but I think you need to take this at a much higher level, which is things like your eyesight, things like your health, things like your ability to breathe without needing an external apparatus, things like you not needing your blood to be distilled and purified every couple of weeks. Like all of these things are big blessings from Allah subhanho wa Taala. Yet seldom do we take time to thank Allah subhanho wa Taala for them. And this is such an important activity that needs to be done on a daily basis. finding time to recognize the
things that you're you're blessed with in this moment.
Some of them are universal like life. Others are very personal, certain things that Allah subhanaw taala has given you that very few other people have, that they wish they could have from you. So general blessings and specific blessings, taking an opportunity every night to thank Allah subhanaw taala for them. And this is such an important activity, to create optimism in yourself and to create gratitude. And when people are grateful, they are happy people, which ties in to our mental health discussion. That part of improving our own mental health is recognizing the blessings that Allah subhanho wa Taala has given us and thanking Allah subhanho wa Taala for them. Number 14,
understanding what Allah has caused to be the outcome of these benefits in terms of reward in the hereafter.
Meaning that when people are tested and tried, there are benefits that you will only see in the hereafter. Yes, there are some benefits to this dunya as well. But the benefits in the hereafter that are unknown, that are unknown. And we mentioned this last week that the people have patience, Allah subhanho wa Taala rewards them without a sub. So there are certain things that you will have to look forward to in the hereafter that are result of these trials and tribulations. And these are like your private conversations with Allah. I want you to think about things that you truly desire in the hereafter. And take a moment to actually think about this deeply. What is it that you truly
desire in the hereafter? What is it that you absolutely hate about this? dunya and a part of yourself talk to Allah subhanho wa Taala because we talked about sharing our grievances with Allah subhanho wa Taala not about him, but to him last week, that you complain to Allah, you do not complain about Allah, and a part of your complaining process to Allah should look like, what is it that you dislike from this dunya? What is it that you're longing for in the Acura and using this as self talk that Oh Allah, I'm going through this calamity and hardship helped me get through this, and grant me x, y and Zed in the Hereafter, in exchange for my patience. You're making blind to
Allah for help to be patient, but you're also making dua to Allah for the reward that you're seeking from him. And this gives you something to look forward to. We're talking about internal motivation to get through trial. This is it right over here. That you know what you hate, you know what you love. And you're asking ALLAH, oh, Allah take away what I hate, and grant me what I love, and make that from the hidden pleasures that I do not know about in this world, yet you grant to me in the hereafter. And imagine that, then imagine that you show up on the Day of Judgment. And Allah subhanaw taala calls you by your name. Allah subhanaw taala calls you I said, he calls you with one
calls you shout, he calls you fought them. And also Khadija calls you amber calls you whatever your name is. And he says, you made that deal with me on that day that you are struggling, and you wanted that taken away. And he wanted this particular thing.
Here it is.
Can you imagine the joy you would feel at that time?
Can you imagine what that experience would be like?
And this goes back to that verse we were discussing, did you find what your Lord promise you to be true? For surely the promises of Allah subhanaw taala are true. So there are hidden rewards that are not mentioned in the Koran, they're not mentioned in the Sunnah. These are things that you would have contemplated and thought about, and Allah subhanaw taala gave them to you as hidden treasures that are awaiting you, just as long as you could get through this trial. And there's nothing wrong with asking help from Allah to get through the struggle, you don't have to get through the trials by yourself, you just need to get through it. You have a lot as a part of your support system, you have
your family and friends as a part of your support system. You have your community as a part of your support system, but get through that trial.
And then a weight that reward that you privately discussed with Allah, that no one knows other than you and Allah, and imagine what that meaning will be like.
Which brings us to point number 15, realizing the many hidden benefits it contains,
and there's many ayaats that the author brings over here, I'll share some some of them with you. The first one that is certainly servers number 19 for arsa, and Takahashi and weigela. houfy, halen kathira, that it may well be that you dislike something in which Allah has placed a lot of good. And then the verse in sort of Baccarat was and Takahashi and wahoo are heard on lecan that perhaps you may dislike something yet Allah subhanho wa Taala
has made it good for you.
And then he goes on to mention one more in sort of note, verse number 11, where he says in the lead in a job will be fers bottom income that boohoo Sharon Lacan, Bell, who are hired on Lacan, that those who propagated the lie against I shadowed your loved one, do not suppose it to be a bad thing for you, rather, it is good for you. Now, I want you to, you know, we'll discuss all these verses, but I want to focus on the one sort of note First, there when you study the seal of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, the closer to the story of the of the slander against eyeshadow, the Allahu Allah was a very painful moment was a very, very painful moment. For eyeshadow, the Allahu
anhu specifically, because she's being slandered for something that she didn't do. And stories are being told about her people are doubting her people are sharing stories about her behind her back, those that were close to her have left her off, those that are still remained have some sort of doubt. And even her own husband salallahu alayhi wasallam, for a short period of time, distanced himself trying to figure out what was going on. Yet she had the man to say that Allah subhanho wa Taala will reveal something and clear my name. And that is what a man looks like. And Allah subhanho wa Taala says about that incident that as painful as it was, don't consider it evil. Rather, this
was something good. What was the good that came out of that story? What good potentially could have happened in the story? One of the biggest things that became clear in the community was who are the hypocrites, and who were the believers, those that were spreading the slander, they were clearly from the hypocrites, those that gave the benefit of the doubt than they were from the believers. From the benefits of this is that Allah subhanho wa Taala shows his continuous Suna of proving the innocent as innocent, even when all a lot of people will will disbelief from the benefits of this is that the virtues of eyeshadow, the Allah who are mentioned in the Quran over here, from the benefits
of this, Allah subhanaw taala increased her reward and increased her forgiveness. From the benefits of this. We saw the human nature of the relationship between the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and I shout out the Allahu taala you rarely get to see that human element. But you see it in this point over here, where even the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam as a human being needed that reassurance he wanted further clarification from Allah because this had become a matter of the unseen to him. So these are just some of the benefits. Now let's get back to the generality of the verses that came before the one in sort of the Nisa that perhaps you we dislike something that Allah
subhanaw taala has faced much good in, and perhaps you may dislike something that is good for you. I want you to think of examples from your life where you thought Subhanallah How could this happen to me, like this is such evil. This is such something so bad and so disturbing. Yet at the end of it, you've learned and you saw that there was so much hidden wisdom in you're not going in, in this trial taking place. And this is something that you have to contemplate and reflect. And this is something that if you want to talk about powerful exercises, once you understand this principle, document this in your own life, things that you were tried to the things that you asked for that
Allah didn't give you in this life. Yet Allah subhanho wa Taala replaced it with something better document those instances. And when you want to see the power of Allah, when you want to see the Divine Wisdom of Allah go back to all of those instances where you thought it was bad. When in reality, it turned out to be something good. someone loses their job, someone gets divorced, someone goes through another form of calamity. If at the end of the day it brought them closer to Allah subhanho wa Taala. They have been victorious. And that's what you need to realize. And he mentions one example which I want to share with you. He says when the tyrannical ruler took sada from
Ibrahim, she's talking about the story of Ibrahim alayhis salam and the tyrannical ruler took away sada from him. He wanted to do to do terrible things with her, you know, listen, I know what the other protected her and saved her from it. And eventually, when he gives SATA back to Ibrahim, what else does he do? He gave hijo to Ibrahim as well. He gave her job to Ibrahim as well, and who came from the lineage of hudgell it was a smile and he salah and who came from the lineage of the smile and he said none other than Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. So in that original trial that sought and Ebrahim are being tried with where they're separate.
He did tie ironically. And then they weren't able to navigate their way out. They wouldn't he wouldn't have received hajer and a smile and he said, I wouldn't have been born and Muhammad Sallallahu Sallam wouldn't have come from their lineage, all as a result of being tried and being patient. So you will never know which trial as you go through, yet Allah subhanho wa Taala brings about so much higher from it. And he quotes another line of poetry. How many are the blessings hidden under the veil of tribulations, that so many blessings come under the guise of being tried and tested, you just need to be able to see beyond the physical.
Now, I want to try to tie this into giving charity. You know, one of the things about giving charity is that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam tells us it doesn't decrease one's wealth. Now, you may be thinking I had $5, I just gave it in South Africa to the budget. How did this not decrease my wealth, you're looking at the physical reality only. You need to look at the spiritual realm behind this, that not only did you give $5, but Allah subhanho wa Taala, multiplied and increased the book and your wealth that which you cannot see, your future risk has been increased, that what you cannot see, as a result of the $5 that you gave, so that he man is required. Now when you apply the same
principle that when trials and tribulations come your way, and you see it from a spiritual lens, and not a physical lens, that with this trial, are coming so many hidden blessings and benefits in this life, in this life, the previous point was about the Hereafter, we're not focusing on in this life. Every trial will come with benefits in this life. And that's the lens that you need to see with so that when you go through hardship, you understand that there are benefits coming through it. Allah subhanaw taala reminds us of this in the Koran for in an IRC you saw in my last video, that the trial is definite and limited, whereas the ease that comes with it is indefinite, and is multiple.
So the ease that Allah subhanaw taala brings with every hardship is innumerous. But the trial itself will be limited and that is the lens that you need to view it with. Which brings us to point number 16.
tribulation and hardship prevents one from evil, vanity boastfulness, arrogance, ostentation, and oppression. Were Nimrod someone poor and feeble, blind and deaf. He never would have argued with Ibrahim concerning his Lord. However, he was deceived into this by sovereignty, as pointed out by Allah subhanho wa Taala.
So the point of point number 16, is that trials and tribulations
prevent a person from committing sin, trials and tribulations prevent a person from committing sin.
So this is the opposite side of when a person is being tried and tested. They naturally increase in the worship of Allah subhanaw taala. But when a person is being tested, it also decreases their sin, it also decreases their sin. And he gives specific examples that evil is something general but vanity and boastfulness showing off thinking of yourself as someone mighty and proud and self sufficient arrogance ostentation, showing off again, and oppression there when the person is going through that hardship. It prevents them from doing these things. Why? Because it instills humility inside of yourself, realizing that you're not even in control of your own affairs. How can you
dictate someone else's affairs? How can you judge someone else's affairs when you can't even rectify your own? It increases your dependence upon Allah subhanho wa Taala. So takes away your concept of self sufficiency. And particularly in this day and age, when everything is about you. I want all eyes on me, I want all the focus to be on me, I will propagate myself as an influencer, I will propagate myself as an ideologue and a pundit, I will probably need to get myself as a leader. What have you actually achieved to put yourself in that situation? What you have 1000 followers on Instagram? Is that supposed to be an achievement? What does that actually mean in real life change?
It doesn't mean anything. And then when you realize that when you're being tried the futility of those things in this life and the hereafter, you realize that you have no right to be committing any of those sins, particularly the sins of the heart that he goes on to mention, like vanity like being boastful like being oppressive towards others, when you can't even take care of your own self who are
Are you to be someone that is looked up to. And this applies to myself first and foremost, the reality is, we are all slaves of Allah. And that is the point that needs to be brought back home. Without Allah we are nothing. Without Allah. We are nothing. Without Allah. We are nothing. That is the point that needs to be driven home. And then he goes on to mention this point about Nimrod, Allah subhanaw taala Susan circle dakara Alam Tara lllt hijjah Ibrahim, Ibrahim If you're happy and utter hula hula muck, that Have you not seen the one who argued with Ibrahim Ali Salam about his Lord, on the basis that Allah had given him sovereignty, that he became arrogant because Allah had
given him so much. And then you look at the example of Pharaoh on that he claimed that he is your Lord the most Hi, we're caller Anurag buco Malala. He said this why, because he had power, and we thought he had power and authority. So what you starts to learn is, the more power a person gets, the more authority a person gets, the more wealth a person gets, the more susceptible they become to corruption. The more Power Authority, fame and wealth you get, the more susceptible you become to corruption. And that is why you should not seek those things out. If Allah gives them to you, embrace them and accept them and ask Allah is help to do due diligence in them. But these are not
things that you should seek out. Because understand it opens up the doors to corruption. And when those things aren't there, there is less accountability, and there is less opportunity for you to become corrupted. And Allah subhanho wa Taala. He mentioned this in many, many verses, again, in Surah, Surah Surah, number 42, verse number 27, Allah subhanaw taala says, Well, no basato Lahore risca the bad de la bajo fill out
that were Allah subhanho wa Taala, to give everyone the riches that they desire, they would have become tyrants upon this earth, they would have become tyrants upon this earth. Now, I want you to think about the tyrannical dictators that live in our times, how many of them are poor?
How many of them are poor? They're not, they're extremely, extremely rich. You look at the ones that have passed away, they literally found billions of dollars of gold of people's money, the almost money, hoard it in their houses, right? So wealth, if it does not come with the proper intention of helping the old man helping the cause of Allah is a source of corruption, leadership, if it does not come with the intention of helping the oma and serving the oma comes as a form of corruption, fame, if it does not come with the intention of influencing people in the right direction, and doing good deeds, it becomes a form of corruption. And these trials and tribulations show us the human side of
that, that when people are tried with fame, and with wealth, and with authority, what happens to them, the vast majority of people feel so don't always seek that out. Now, the point he goes on to make and it becomes much longer is that look at the example of Mohammed sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, the companions and the previous prophets. How many of the prophets of Allah subhanho wa Taala, we're actually rich and had kingdoms, you have shown a man and he said that he said, the vast majority of them were poor, the vast majority of them went through hardships, the vast majority of them were persecuted. So this shows us that very few people will thrive in the test of prosperity. If only two
of the prophets of Allah mentioned in such a state, and the vast majority chose a life of poverty, they chose that life of poverty not because it was imposed, because they knew it was the only way to save themselves from corruption, even though they are the prophets of Allah subhanho wa Taala, even though they are the prophets of Allah subhanho what's on?
Number 17 being pleased and content with the tribulation, such that it would lead to the pleasure of Allah Exalted is He. This is because both the righteous and sinner is afflicted with trial. Hence, whoever is malcontent at its onset, for him his displeasure and misery in this life and the hereafter, whoever is pleased and content with it, for him lies in store the good pleasure of Allah and that is greater than paradise, and what it contains, for Allah exalted has said, What would one amen Allah Akbar? This is sort of Toba, verse number 72. And Allah is the pleasure is he
even greater, and then he closes off with a da. So now he comes to a very specific point, which is, What is your reaction? at the onset of trial? Are you someone that when the trial comes, you are going to be content and happy and attained herbal rhythm as a state of contentment? So not just being contained but being in a state of contentment? Or are you someone that is displeased with less bandwidth?
I want to share
a story with you on a very light note, and it's also an activity. So growing up Allah subhanaw taala. He He blessed me with a sister that's four years older than me. And you know, for the, I would say the first half of our lives, it was a very turbulent relationship. Like I disliked her, she disliked me. And that was, a lot of it was due to her tyrannical nature.
The specific example that I'm thinking of, is that because she was a girl, my prayer, my parents preferred her security and safety over all my own security and safety. But what did I look like that every time she had a friend come over, it wasn't enough that I would go to the basement or go to my room, I would have to physically leave the house. My parents were like, if her friend is over, you need to leave the house, you can't stay there.
For part of it. I think it was religious reasons. But for other part of it, I think it was just something my sister was like, ashamed of me as a brother. And she told my parents Look, I don't want him here when my friends are here.
So eventually, I end up going to my aunt and uncle's house, they live about 10 minutes away.
You know, I played video games there, I had friends come over, we played basketball. But in my aunt and uncle's house, they too had a daughter, who's my cousin who's six months younger than me. And was interesting that I ended up spending so much time in their house Subhanallah that we ended up developing a sibling rivalry, which is very strange. But I guess that's just the way cousins are in like culture in our culture. Where if I got a bicycle, she had to get a better bicycle, I got a laptop, she had to get a better laptop. Right. And this is the way it continued. Now, eventually, every semester, or every term rather, because in high school, we will get a report cards, I would
come home, I was so happy with my grades, because I knew how little I had studied to get those grades. So I'm hoping that when I would tell my parents my grade, they would be you know, Shabbat should be at a good job did amazing. But as soon as I tell them my grades, they would always ask me, but what did your cousin get? And I was like, why do you need to know what is it God? Like? How is this even relevant? She's my cousin, right? She's not my sister. She's my cousin. Why do you care? And eventually, I'd have to tell them yeah, she beat me in this. She beat me in that. And then you'd see like that. Disappointment smile. Yeah, you could have done better couldn't tell you. And I'd
always justified you know, she was a job. She was jilbab she has no social life. Like she just stays in the room and studies. I know very prejudice and judgmental, I know. But that was the reality of it. That's how I justified it in my head and to them as well.
But as is the Sunnah of Allah subhanho wa Taala. Every individual has their personal Battle of blood. For me, my personal Battle of brother came the day we went for our driving exam.
So she goes for her driving exam first. This is my cousin. And I don't admit to it, but the reality was, I was at home and I'm like, yeah, Allah, please let her fail.
So she eventually comes home, and she has tears in her eyes. And I'm like, are these tears of happiness or are these tears of failure? And she starts off by saying mama Baba is awkward silence.
I'm sorry, I failed. And in the back of the house, you hear tech beer, Allah.
Now, this brings an unprecedented amount of pressure on me. Because if I don't pass that driving exam, I have no dignity left in this household.
So I want you guys to do the driving exam with me.
Mr. Aziz, welcome to your final driving exam. I would like you to reverse out of the parking lot. I get into the car. I put on my seatbelt. I look at my mirrors. Everything is good to go. I turn on the car, the smilla mc my eyes and I put my foot on the brake and I'm going back. I'm going back and going back.
What's the first word that came to your mouth? Don't say it out loud. We are in the masjid.
Now, the reason why I share this example that yes, we shared in good, Justin fun, but this activity actually proves a lot and that is what is your natural reaction to kill.
For some people it is to freeze and do nothing. For other people, it is to say a bad word, something that they would regret had they died upon it. And for others and this is what we're trying to achieve and get to, is to remember Allah subhanaw taala at that time, Allah subhanaw taala he tells us a Latina is asaba Tomasi Baba, call the inner Linda here in Nigeria. Hello, john, that those individuals when they're struck by calamity and trial, they say indeed to Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return which is the very first point of this book, that you realize you belong to Allah, you are a property think of Allah subhanho wa Taala, right is your either point number two,
that you are the property of Allah, so that naturally when calamity strikes, you remember Allah subhanaw taala. Now, I tie this into the last point of the book. Because as I mentioned last week, this is not a form of, you know, edutainment that we're trying to get, we're educated and be entertained at the same time, what we're looking for is for transformation. And that is why I mentioned at the end of last week that please go home, and look at those 10 points and see which from amongst them, you can start to implement and reform your soul and refine your soul to do that you get closer to Allah, and you create this optimism in times of calamity and trial, and you create
this level of optimism that I will be okay through this trial, inshallah, there's something he did that is good for me that they don't see. And there's much, much more reward for me in the hereafter. And you keep refining your soul, to the degree that when the calamity strikes next time, you're like Alhamdulillah Alhamdulillah. And you're thinking about the trial could have been greater. The trial could have been in my faith, I could have lost patience, all the things that we discussed, you're saying on hamdulillah and you're reaching that level of river, that level of contentment, that I'm contented with everything that Allah subhanaw taala decrease, and this is what this point is all
about. that eventually, you attain the pleasure of Allah subhanaw taala.
You know, when I asked what would you like to see in genda, one of the sisters mentioned, to see Allah subhanho wa Taala. And in fact, according to the belief of Allah subhana wa jamaa, the greatest blessing the believers will have is to see the beautiful face of Allah subhanho wa Taala. And Allah subhanaw, taala makers for amongst them, and this is something you can't fathom, you can't understand? How can that be? The most enjoyable moment of genda? How about the call that I want to how about this that I want to output that today wanted, seeing the face of a lie is more pleasurable to me.
That is what Allah subhanaw taala tells us, that the pleasure of Allah getting to see the face of Allah subhanho wa Taala, in the Hereafter, is the greatest blessing that you will have in the hereafter
better than anything that you desire.
And this goes back to that internal motivation. That if you can make that your focus in life, that I'm living my life to eventually see the beautiful face of my Lord. That is what transformation looks like. That will decrease the amount of sins that will increase the amount of good deeds that will make you take more advantage of your time and decrease the amount of time that is wasted, that will make you have vision and purpose in your life and take away that emptiness and that void that human beings feel without the presence of Allah subhanho wa Taala what is the one Amen, Allahu Akbar that the pleasure of Allah subhanho wa Taala is even greater. Then I want to conclude with a blog
that he makes. He says, these are, these are brief Pr Pr users into what comes to mind concerning the benefits of tribulation. We ask Allah that He forgives us and gives us well being in this world and the hereafter. May Allah grant us the courage to enact that which he loves and is pleased with peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, his family, his companions, Allah is sufficient for us, and what an excellent Disposer of affairs he is.
This was a six page treaties, a six page essay that he puts together in a very short period of time, when someone had asked him what are some of the benefits and wisdoms of trials and tribulation?
And he says, this is just something short that I've put together. This is the the first couple of things that came to mind. And you can imagine the deep level of scholarship that is required, hey, if you're sitting on the LRT, and you're like, Okay, let me jot down some benefits and trials, benefits and wisdoms and this is what you come up with. Now, the point arises, where do we go from here? where we go from here, my dear brother
Sisters is you keep revising this material. The videos are up online last week is already up inshallah this will be up soon. You download the book, you go through the book, and every couple of months you go through it. Anytime you go through a trial anytime you know someone going through a trial, return back to this book, see what you can implement and make this something transformational and not just something that you attended for the sake of attending Xochimilco and for attending some kind of colonial behind the shadow line Highland sakurako Lake wa Salaam Alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh