What My Faith Taught Me About Overcoming Pain, Distress & Hard Times.

In life, we all go through different tests and trials. It’s a given. That’s how this life is designed.

Allah سبحانه وتعالى says in the Holy Qur’an:

And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and provisions… 

Qur’an [2:155]

Some of us will be tested in our health, others in wealth. Others who are married will be tested through their spouses and children. For students it’s their studies. You might not get into the school/university of your choice, you didn’t score enough or failed it all together. The list is endless.

But why me?

When we are going through a difficult time, it’s very easy to fall into the trap of why me? Why is Allah making me go through this? Does He even notice me?

Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم said that:

“Look at those who are beneath you and do not look at those who are above you, for it is more suitable that you should not consider as less the blessing of Allah.”

Sunan Ibn Majah

Our trials serve a higher purpose….

It’s taken me a long time to understand and come to terms with the fact that hard and difficult times, whatever they might be, are a part of life. If we didn’t go through dark and rough times in our lives, how would we appreciate the beauty and blessings around us when we have it easy.

There’s a hadith where Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم said:

Narrated by Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri and Abu Huraira:
“No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 5641, 5642

Such a heart warming hadith! If you look at it this way, even times of pain come wrapped in layers of beauty we can not fathom.

That’s the wisdom that comes with having faith. Knowing that all the pain and hard times we go through serve a higher purpose.

….So give glad tidings to the patient ones.

Qur’an [2:155]

Having patience is good but also seek support.

For anyone going through a rough time, reach out, seek support. But also know that Allah hasn’t abandoned you.

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Allah سبحانه وتعالى says in the Holy Qur’an:

And, behold, with every hardship comes ease:
verily, with every hardship comes ease! 

Qur’an [94:5-6]

While everything might seem to fall apart around you, there still might be uncountable reasons Allah سبحانه وتعالى has you enveloped in His Mercy.

All we need to do is being willing to call out to Him and pour all our worries onto Him and we will realise that He is nearer to us than we than we ever thought.

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

Qur’an [2:153]

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I want to end by reminding you of Ayub’s عليه السلام story. Allah blessed him immensely in his health, wealth and family. Then one day all was taken away from Him. He was inflicted with various diseases so bad that no organ of his body remained healthy except his heart and tongue which he remembered Allah with. His friends deserted him, his relatives stayed away from Him. He was expelled from his village. No one stayed beside him except faithful wife.

All through this time Ayub عليه السلام remained patient and remembered Allah day and night. His wife started getting weak with all the ways she was taking care of him and asked Ayub عليه السلام to pray to the Lord to alleviate his suffering. To which Ayub عليه السلام replied , “I have lived for seventy years as a healthy person, so can I not be patient for Allah for another seventy years?”  [Tafseer at-Tabari, vol 23 p.107].

Dua during the time of distress:

Ayub عليه السلام suffered in these trials for many years till when he made dua in his loneliness and suffering:

أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ

Anni Massaniya Al ‘Dh’urru Wa Anta Arham-Al Rahimeen

“Verily, distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy.”

Al-Qur’an, 21:83

Such a precious dua and such valuable lesson in this story.

There’s light at the end of the tunnel!

Our life in this world is just a small part of what lies ahead: an eternal life in a place where we will know no sorrow nor grief or distress. A place where we will know nothing but Allah’s pleasure.

Peace be upon you for what you patiently endured. And excellent is the final home.

Qur’an [13:24]

I pray whatever we are going through in our lives, we never lose sight of the grand scheme of things.

May Allah bless us with a heart and a soul which is content and forever grateful with with His decree.

For all of you going through a testing times, I pray you come through the other end braver and stronger than ever before. Ameen!

Here’s a free gift for you to remind you there’s always a silver lining! Click here to download.

Please share with that family or friend who could really use this right now.