By Hamda Adaweh
Bismillah
As human beings, we are constantly going through trials and difficulties in our lives. There are so many things in our lives that make us stronger as individuals. We must take lessons from each other experiences. As Otto Von Bismarck quoted “Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.” InshAllah, this article will be talking about ten truths that make us stronger. Our only source of comfort should be remembering Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa because it says in Surah Ra’ad
Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.
This is what every Muslim should believe wholeheartedly. The acts of remembering Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa are many. A person may read Quran, pray extra nawafil prayers or doing dhikr.
1. Do not trust anybody except Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa:
It is completely lawful to trust others with secrets or something else. Trust is one of the beautiful characteristics that define a believing servant. However, one should be very aware of other people around them. Yes, we should always think well of others. We should always give people the benefit of the doubt. Some Muslims may look super religious, but only Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa knows what is inside their hearts. They may even have the best of characters, but it is only outside appearances. Our job is to always be nice and have good manners towards other people. Our goal is Jannah, InshAllah. We have to be very careful of the people who we associate ourselves with. I put some hadiths and a proof from the Quran to further explain the importance of choosing righteous friends and putting trust in Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa .
On the authority of Abu Musa al-Ash'ari (رضي اللعنه ), the Prophet (صلي الل عليه و سلم) said:
A good friend and a bad friend are like a perfume-seller and a blacksmith: The perfume-seller might give you some perfume as a gift, or you might buy some from him, or at least you might smell its fragrance. As for the blacksmith, he might singe your clothes, and at the very least you will breathe in the fumes of the furnace. [Sahih al-Bukhari, vol 3, #314 and Muslim]
Narrated Abu Hurayrah:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: A man follows the religion of his friend; so each one should consider whom he makes his friend. {Book 41, Number 4815: Sunan Abu Dawud}
And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things. (Surah Talaq, 65:3)
2. Death
For me, death is very touchy topic. I recently lost my aunt and my mother loved her very much. MashAllah, she was an extraordinary woman who was very pious. She has a good heart, mashAllah. Her death really shocked me and I realized that this dunya is temporary. This life is really nothing. Nothing is guaranteed and we do not know when we are going to die. Every Ramadan, I would always think about people who died. They did not have a chance to fast the month of Ramadan with us. It made me feel more grateful that I was still alive and it was a reminder for me. Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa says in the Quran in Surah Ali Imran ayah 185.
Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion. (Surah Ali Imran, 3:185)
3. Wearing the hijab
I remember reading a lot of articles of sisters whose mothers would oppose them to wear the hijab. These mothers would say that they were too young to wear the hijab and wait until after they finished university or college. Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa is watching you wherever you are and it is not guaranteed that you will be alive tomorrow. Why should we procrastinate to obey Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa? Unfortunately, some Muslim sisters even believe that hijab is not obligatory. Some of these sisters think that hijab is a cultural thing, but hijab is a commandment of Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa. In Surah Noor ayah 31, Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa says.
And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers that you might succeed. (Surah Noor, 24: 31)
This hijab has to be plain and simple. Hijab is not only a piece of cloth on your head. It defines shyness in clothing and character. It also shows complete devotion to Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa. Also, the hijab spreads dawah to non-Muslims. Every time I see a woman in hijab or niqaab properly, it makes me so happy that these women chose to obey Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa instead of His creation. Wearing the hijab makes you stronger in your faith. In the end, Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa knows what is in your heart. Hijab is the definition of modesty and Muslims and non-Muslims respect you so much. It makes me so proud to be a Muslim.
4. Family Drama
Once a Muslim brother or sister starts practicing Islam, their families usually have something to say about it. Our parents try to advise us before anybody else. I know a story of a sister and her father did not approve of her wearing the hijab and abaya. Later on, this sister decided to wear the niqaab. At first, both of her parents opposed it. She decided to stay strong and her mother eventually let her wear the niqaab. Although her father still opposed her wearing the niqaab, she remains patient. She knows that she wants to please Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa and it is a test from Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa. So, we must stay strong InshAllah. A lot of other people are going through problems that are nothing compared to yours. Be thankful for the blessings that you have in your life. Stay strong, InshAllah!
5. Patience during hardship
It is extremely important to be patient during times of hardship. It brings so many blessings from Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa and it makes us stronger in our faith. Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa reminds us in Surah Baqarah.
Certainly, We shall test you with fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits; but give glad tidings to the patient - those who, when afflicted with calamity say, "Truly to Allah we belong, and truly to Him shall we return." it is those who will be awarded blessings and mercy from their Lord; and it is those who are the guided ones. (Surah Baqarah, 2:155-157)
Patience makes us stronger in our eeman and it is a beautiful quality for a believer to have. It is a reminder that Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa is testing us. It is a time of remembrance of Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa and anticipating a great reward. The difficulties that happen in our lives are only temporary. We should strive to run to Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa during difficult times by prayer, making du’a and remembering Him. As Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa says in the Quran
Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. (Surah Ash-Sharĥ, 94:155-157)
InshAllah, there will be a part II of this topic. I just wanted to go into detail and explain everything to the best of my ability. May Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa make our lives revolve around worshipping Him sincerely and following the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam. Ameen.
We'd love to hear your views on this article. Please tell us in the comments section below :)
Bismillah
As human beings, we are constantly going through trials and difficulties in our lives. There are so many things in our lives that make us stronger as individuals. We must take lessons from each other experiences. As Otto Von Bismarck quoted “Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.” InshAllah, this article will be talking about ten truths that make us stronger. Our only source of comfort should be remembering Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa because it says in Surah Ra’ad
Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.
This is what every Muslim should believe wholeheartedly. The acts of remembering Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa are many. A person may read Quran, pray extra nawafil prayers or doing dhikr.
1. Do not trust anybody except Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa:
It is completely lawful to trust others with secrets or something else. Trust is one of the beautiful characteristics that define a believing servant. However, one should be very aware of other people around them. Yes, we should always think well of others. We should always give people the benefit of the doubt. Some Muslims may look super religious, but only Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa knows what is inside their hearts. They may even have the best of characters, but it is only outside appearances. Our job is to always be nice and have good manners towards other people. Our goal is Jannah, InshAllah. We have to be very careful of the people who we associate ourselves with. I put some hadiths and a proof from the Quran to further explain the importance of choosing righteous friends and putting trust in Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa .
On the authority of Abu Musa al-Ash'ari (رضي اللعنه ), the Prophet (صلي الل عليه و سلم) said:
A good friend and a bad friend are like a perfume-seller and a blacksmith: The perfume-seller might give you some perfume as a gift, or you might buy some from him, or at least you might smell its fragrance. As for the blacksmith, he might singe your clothes, and at the very least you will breathe in the fumes of the furnace. [Sahih al-Bukhari, vol 3, #314 and Muslim]
Narrated Abu Hurayrah:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: A man follows the religion of his friend; so each one should consider whom he makes his friend. {Book 41, Number 4815: Sunan Abu Dawud}
And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things. (Surah Talaq, 65:3)
2. Death
For me, death is very touchy topic. I recently lost my aunt and my mother loved her very much. MashAllah, she was an extraordinary woman who was very pious. She has a good heart, mashAllah. Her death really shocked me and I realized that this dunya is temporary. This life is really nothing. Nothing is guaranteed and we do not know when we are going to die. Every Ramadan, I would always think about people who died. They did not have a chance to fast the month of Ramadan with us. It made me feel more grateful that I was still alive and it was a reminder for me. Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa says in the Quran in Surah Ali Imran ayah 185.
Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion. (Surah Ali Imran, 3:185)
3. Wearing the hijab
I remember reading a lot of articles of sisters whose mothers would oppose them to wear the hijab. These mothers would say that they were too young to wear the hijab and wait until after they finished university or college. Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa is watching you wherever you are and it is not guaranteed that you will be alive tomorrow. Why should we procrastinate to obey Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa? Unfortunately, some Muslim sisters even believe that hijab is not obligatory. Some of these sisters think that hijab is a cultural thing, but hijab is a commandment of Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa. In Surah Noor ayah 31, Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa says.
And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers that you might succeed. (Surah Noor, 24: 31)
This hijab has to be plain and simple. Hijab is not only a piece of cloth on your head. It defines shyness in clothing and character. It also shows complete devotion to Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa. Also, the hijab spreads dawah to non-Muslims. Every time I see a woman in hijab or niqaab properly, it makes me so happy that these women chose to obey Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa instead of His creation. Wearing the hijab makes you stronger in your faith. In the end, Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa knows what is in your heart. Hijab is the definition of modesty and Muslims and non-Muslims respect you so much. It makes me so proud to be a Muslim.
4. Family Drama
Once a Muslim brother or sister starts practicing Islam, their families usually have something to say about it. Our parents try to advise us before anybody else. I know a story of a sister and her father did not approve of her wearing the hijab and abaya. Later on, this sister decided to wear the niqaab. At first, both of her parents opposed it. She decided to stay strong and her mother eventually let her wear the niqaab. Although her father still opposed her wearing the niqaab, she remains patient. She knows that she wants to please Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa and it is a test from Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa. So, we must stay strong InshAllah. A lot of other people are going through problems that are nothing compared to yours. Be thankful for the blessings that you have in your life. Stay strong, InshAllah!
5. Patience during hardship
It is extremely important to be patient during times of hardship. It brings so many blessings from Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa and it makes us stronger in our faith. Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa reminds us in Surah Baqarah.
Certainly, We shall test you with fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits; but give glad tidings to the patient - those who, when afflicted with calamity say, "Truly to Allah we belong, and truly to Him shall we return." it is those who will be awarded blessings and mercy from their Lord; and it is those who are the guided ones. (Surah Baqarah, 2:155-157)
Patience makes us stronger in our eeman and it is a beautiful quality for a believer to have. It is a reminder that Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa is testing us. It is a time of remembrance of Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa and anticipating a great reward. The difficulties that happen in our lives are only temporary. We should strive to run to Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa during difficult times by prayer, making du’a and remembering Him. As Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa says in the Quran
Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. (Surah Ash-Sharĥ, 94:155-157)
InshAllah, there will be a part II of this topic. I just wanted to go into detail and explain everything to the best of my ability. May Allah subhaana wa ta’alaa make our lives revolve around worshipping Him sincerely and following the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam. Ameen.
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3 comments:
Totally loved the part when u shared abt the sister striving to hold on to her niqaab despite her parents disapproval. Insyallah some day i get the strength too. Jazakallah khair. nice article so far. looking forward for part II:)
Love it, MashaAllah! These are great tips, JazakAllah Khair. Can't wait for part 2! :)
Ameen wa iyaaki, habibty... If you found this article beneficial, don't forget to share with your friends and family inshaAllah...
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