My relationship with the Quran.
This article was published on Moments of Perfect Clarity.
‘Surely, there is ease with hardship. Aye, surely, there is ease with hardship’ (94:6-7)
The relationship I have with the Quran is a relationship of a servant with her Lord who is All-Aware of everything what is going on and speaks out with comfort and reassurance.
The ayah above is amongst many that mean a lot to me. Allah’s words flows into my bloodstream giving both my cracked heart and patient soul its essential nutrients in order to survive and move forward fulfilling my purpose of my existence in this enigmatic world that is a prison of a believer and a paradise for the disbeliever. You ask me what is happiness? Happiness cannot be fulfilled but its branches of contentment and gratefulness can be sustained in life by thanking and praising Allah for every blessing that we have been bestowed upon us and the tests given to us that portray His love to us for Allah subhanahu wa taala tests those He loves.
The verse 6 has been repeated to provide comfort and support to the Prophet Muhammad salla allahu alayhi wa salam that the hardship period is not continuous and will be replaced with ease. It may appear as a contradicting relationship as hardship WITH ease does not co-exist. However, from what I understood from the commentary of the ayah is that rather than ease AFTER hardship the distance between ease to hardship is so narrow as if it was affiliated with it.
So I ask myself why does Allah subhanahu wa taala tests us with hardship and trials from every periphery to emphasise that He loves us? Allah answers my questions in many verses amongst these are:
‘He test us like the people before us were tested like the Tribe of Bani Israel, etc
And verily We shall try you till We know those of you who strive hard (for the cause of Allah) and the steadfast, and till We test your record.’ (47:31)
‘The people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will not be tried? But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.’ (29:2-3)
"Do you think that you will enter Paradise without any trials while you have known the examples of those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with suffering and adversity and were so violently shaken up that even the Messenger and the believers with him cried out: "When will Allah's help come?" Then they were comforted with the words, Be aware! Allah's help is ever close.” (2:214)
So when we observe our hardships we should refer and recall the parables of the Prophets alayhuma salam and the Companions rahimahum Allah when they underwent hardships. Amongst them was Prophet Ibrahim alayhi salam who did not feel the heat of the fire because Allah gave him ‘ease’ from the ‘hardship’:
“We (Allaah) said : O’ fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibraheem.” (21:69).
Another example is Prophet Musa alayhi wa salam who escaped with the Children of Israel away from the tyrannical Pharoah and his army and reached the Red sea and there was no way to get to the other side; who offered with confidence:
‘Nay verily! With me is my Lord, He will guide me.’ (26:62)
This emphasises the trust and reliance of Allah subhanahu wa taala the Prophets’ alayhuma salam had during the hardships . The spirit of faith.
The air may appear foggy on your journey and you do not know whether you are going or coming. There are clouds of worry, fear, anger and sadness. But do not despair. Depend on Allah subhanahu wa taala just how the Prophets’ alayhuma salam did. Raise your hands to the Almighty Allah subhanahu wa taala and make dua to Him. Increase your relationship with the Almighty Allah subhanahu wa taala with prayer, patience, supplications and constantly remember Him as the Prophet salla alalhu alayhi wa salam said to ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbaas radia allahu anhu:
“..Be mindful of Allaah, you will find Him before you. Get to know Allah in prosperity and He will know you in adversity… And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and ease with hardship.” (Tirmidhi)
In addition, it is important to remember that going through hardships on a variety of levels is a blessing in disguise:
Narrated Aisha radia allahu anha said that the Prophet salla allahu alayhi wa salam said:
"No calamity befalls a Muslim but that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it, even though it were the prick he receives from a thorn." (Bukhari Book 70 Patient 544)
Besides forgiving our sins, it also strengthens the walls of our hearts. The hardships we undergo are like medicine with a bitter taste. You will still consume it because you know it is good for you. Just trust Him.
"Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him."
You see! Allah knows you are able to go through these hardships. Did you know that the greater the hardship of the trial; the greater the reward?
According to a hadith:
"The greatest reward comes from the greatest trial. When Allaah loves people, He tests them, and whoever accepts it gains the pleasure of Allaah and whoever complains earns His wrath." [Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2396; Ibn Maajah, 4031; classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani].
This also reminds me of Saudah radia allahu anha whom Abbas radia allahu anhu said to ibn Rabah radia allahu anhu of her hardship:
“Shall I show you one of the women of Jannah? Saudah, this black woman who told the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) : Verily I have seizures and I become uncovered, make dua to Allaah for me.’ The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: If you are patient you will have Jannah. And if you want I’ll make dua for you that you be healthy. She said : ‘I’ll be patient, I’ll be patient but make sure that I don’t become uncovered.’ So the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) made dua to Allaah that she does not become uncovered.’ (Bukhari and Muslim)
This portrays the manner in which the Salaf saw hardships. Look at their attitude subhanallah!
Another thing I would like to point out. Isn’t it better to undergo hardships of the duniya that are temporary than the everlasting punishments in the Hereafter?
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "When Allaah wills good for His slave, He hastens his punishment in this world, and when He wills bad for His slave, He withholds his sins until he comes with them on the Day of Resurrection."
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2396; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani. ]
So when we are undergoing hardships, we should remember four things:
The heart may be pumping hard. The lysosymes within the eyes may be continuously working producing tears. Anger portrayed like the roaring winds. But never lose hope in Allah subhanahu wa taala for indeed ‘Surely, there is ease with hardship.’ Patience is virtue.
The relationship I have with the Quran is a relationship of a servant with her Lord who is All-Aware of everything what is going on and speaks out with comfort and reassurance.
The ayah above is amongst many that mean a lot to me. Allah’s words flows into my bloodstream giving both my cracked heart and patient soul its essential nutrients in order to survive and move forward fulfilling my purpose of my existence in this enigmatic world that is a prison of a believer and a paradise for the disbeliever. You ask me what is happiness? Happiness cannot be fulfilled but its branches of contentment and gratefulness can be sustained in life by thanking and praising Allah for every blessing that we have been bestowed upon us and the tests given to us that portray His love to us for Allah subhanahu wa taala tests those He loves.
The verse 6 has been repeated to provide comfort and support to the Prophet Muhammad salla allahu alayhi wa salam that the hardship period is not continuous and will be replaced with ease. It may appear as a contradicting relationship as hardship WITH ease does not co-exist. However, from what I understood from the commentary of the ayah is that rather than ease AFTER hardship the distance between ease to hardship is so narrow as if it was affiliated with it.
So I ask myself why does Allah subhanahu wa taala tests us with hardship and trials from every periphery to emphasise that He loves us? Allah answers my questions in many verses amongst these are:
‘He test us like the people before us were tested like the Tribe of Bani Israel, etc
And verily We shall try you till We know those of you who strive hard (for the cause of Allah) and the steadfast, and till We test your record.’ (47:31)
‘The people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will not be tried? But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.’ (29:2-3)
"Do you think that you will enter Paradise without any trials while you have known the examples of those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with suffering and adversity and were so violently shaken up that even the Messenger and the believers with him cried out: "When will Allah's help come?" Then they were comforted with the words, Be aware! Allah's help is ever close.” (2:214)
So when we observe our hardships we should refer and recall the parables of the Prophets alayhuma salam and the Companions rahimahum Allah when they underwent hardships. Amongst them was Prophet Ibrahim alayhi salam who did not feel the heat of the fire because Allah gave him ‘ease’ from the ‘hardship’:
“We (Allaah) said : O’ fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibraheem.” (21:69).
Another example is Prophet Musa alayhi wa salam who escaped with the Children of Israel away from the tyrannical Pharoah and his army and reached the Red sea and there was no way to get to the other side; who offered with confidence:
‘Nay verily! With me is my Lord, He will guide me.’ (26:62)
This emphasises the trust and reliance of Allah subhanahu wa taala the Prophets’ alayhuma salam had during the hardships . The spirit of faith.
The air may appear foggy on your journey and you do not know whether you are going or coming. There are clouds of worry, fear, anger and sadness. But do not despair. Depend on Allah subhanahu wa taala just how the Prophets’ alayhuma salam did. Raise your hands to the Almighty Allah subhanahu wa taala and make dua to Him. Increase your relationship with the Almighty Allah subhanahu wa taala with prayer, patience, supplications and constantly remember Him as the Prophet salla alalhu alayhi wa salam said to ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbaas radia allahu anhu:
“..Be mindful of Allaah, you will find Him before you. Get to know Allah in prosperity and He will know you in adversity… And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and ease with hardship.” (Tirmidhi)
In addition, it is important to remember that going through hardships on a variety of levels is a blessing in disguise:
Narrated Aisha radia allahu anha said that the Prophet salla allahu alayhi wa salam said:
"No calamity befalls a Muslim but that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it, even though it were the prick he receives from a thorn." (Bukhari Book 70 Patient 544)
Besides forgiving our sins, it also strengthens the walls of our hearts. The hardships we undergo are like medicine with a bitter taste. You will still consume it because you know it is good for you. Just trust Him.
"Allah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him."
You see! Allah knows you are able to go through these hardships. Did you know that the greater the hardship of the trial; the greater the reward?
According to a hadith:
"The greatest reward comes from the greatest trial. When Allaah loves people, He tests them, and whoever accepts it gains the pleasure of Allaah and whoever complains earns His wrath." [Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2396; Ibn Maajah, 4031; classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani].
This also reminds me of Saudah radia allahu anha whom Abbas radia allahu anhu said to ibn Rabah radia allahu anhu of her hardship:
“Shall I show you one of the women of Jannah? Saudah, this black woman who told the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) : Verily I have seizures and I become uncovered, make dua to Allaah for me.’ The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: If you are patient you will have Jannah. And if you want I’ll make dua for you that you be healthy. She said : ‘I’ll be patient, I’ll be patient but make sure that I don’t become uncovered.’ So the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) made dua to Allaah that she does not become uncovered.’ (Bukhari and Muslim)
This portrays the manner in which the Salaf saw hardships. Look at their attitude subhanallah!
Another thing I would like to point out. Isn’t it better to undergo hardships of the duniya that are temporary than the everlasting punishments in the Hereafter?
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "When Allaah wills good for His slave, He hastens his punishment in this world, and when He wills bad for His slave, He withholds his sins until he comes with them on the Day of Resurrection."
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2396; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani. ]
So when we are undergoing hardships, we should remember four things:
- Allah loves us that is why He tests us.
- There is a reward for being patient and closer to Allah subhanahu wa taala when undergoing hardships.
- Recall the events of the Prophets’ alayhuma salam and the salaf and how they underwent so many hardships yet they had a constant trust in the Almighty Allah subhanahu wa taala
- Allah does not give us a hardship that He believes we cannot bear it.
The heart may be pumping hard. The lysosymes within the eyes may be continuously working producing tears. Anger portrayed like the roaring winds. But never lose hope in Allah subhanahu wa taala for indeed ‘Surely, there is ease with hardship.’ Patience is virtue.
