Guide Posts

REVIEW OF RELIGIONS IGUIDE POSTsl TRIALS AND SUFFERINGS (Bashir Ahmad Orchard) “And we will try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and fruit, but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Who when a misfortune overtakes them, say ‘Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return. It is on those on whom descend blessings from their Lord and also mercy, and it is those who are rightly guided.” (2: 156-158) 5 The question may well arise how can one find paradise and solace in this world when one is perpetually burdened with amictions and problems of one kind or another? The passage from the Holy Quran quoted above teaches that such occasions are blessings in disguise for they offer opportunities for one to demonstrate the extent of one’s faith in Allah and the calibre of one’s c:haracter. Furthermore if one meets them with patience and fortitude one gains the reward of Allah both here and in the hereafter. Allah again says in the Holy Quran: “And We will surely try you until We distinguish those among you who strive for the cause of Allah and those who are steadfast. And We will make known the facts about you” (47:32) “Verily the steadfast will have their reward without measure”. (39:11) Allah has made it perfectly clear in the Holy Quran that life’s journey is not intended to be one of ease: “And We have created man to face hardship”. (90:5) One should never moan or despair over tribulations and privations for this is an indication of weakness and ingratitude to Allah. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) said that life is always full of blessings for those who understand: “For a Muslim life is· all full of good and nobody but a true Muslim finds himself in that position,for ifhe meets with success he is grateful to God and becomes the recipient of greater favours 6 TRIALS AND SUFFERINGS from Him. On the other hand, if he suffers pain or tribulation he endures it with patience and thus again makes himself deserving of God’s favours” Hazrat Mirza Mahmood Ahmad has truly stated: “Burdens are not always burdens.” Napoleon Hill – the renowned American writer of inspiring books – has said that in every adversity there lies the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit. This truth has already been confirmed by the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (may peace be on him). The ‘same American author has also testified: “I am thankful for the adversities which have crossed my pathway, for they have taught me tolerance, sympathy, self- control, perseverence and some other virtues I might never have known.” Helen Keller suffered an amiction which is impossible to imagine. At the age of nineteen months she became deaf, dumb and blind. She was almost unhuman in her behaviour until, when still a child, a brilliant teacher came into her life who, through the sense of touch, taught her to make sounds and eventually to speak. She learned to read braille by touch and even went to university where she excelled in her studies. She travelled through out the world, delivered public addresses and wrote books in eloquent English. She acquired many other accomplishments although throughout her life she remained deaf and blind. She was cheerful and happly and would express her gratitude for the blessings she enjoyed. She won the admiration of everybody with whom she came in contact. She was an example and a witness to the truth that in every adversity there lie the seeds of advantages and blessings. She has been an inspiration to countless thousands of sufferers and will continue to be so for all future generations. She lived a life of successful achievement despite her dreadful handicaps. Although she is now dead her name will remain inscribed in golden letters throughout the world for all times to come. Charles Darwin – scientist and author of ‘The Origin of the Species’ said with reference to his ailing health: “If I had not been so great an invalid I should not have done so much work as I have accomplished.” The Holy Quran teaches that one should endeavour to be patient in times of adversity and not to despair or become llnduly frustrated. Then only can one enjoy the sweetness of paradise amidst the storms of life. Misfortunes are THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS 7 inevitable. One must learn to bear and cope with them successfully. This is one of the important battles of life in which one must seek victory. One should not weaken under adversity but resolve to remain poised and strong in character during the darkest night as one would during the sunniest day. One should welcome every adversity as a challenge and opportunity to demonstrate the correct attitude. It is the wrong attitude towards a problem and not so much the problem itself which causes one to fret and fume even over minor incidents. Take two people with identical problems. One becomes distracted while the other remains cool and calm. Their problem was one and the same but their different reactions were caused by their different attitudes and not by the problem itself. When one substitues a negative attitude with a positive attitude the troubles seem to fade away. One should be patient and seek the good in everything. Allah has decreed that no one will escape hardships and misfortunes. One should expect them; and when they come to make the best of them without complaint or grievance. PATIENCE Endeavour to be patient in bearing with the defects and infirmities of others, of what ever kind they may be; for you yourself have many failings which others have to bear. If you cannot make yourself as you want to be, then how can you expect others to be as you would like them to be? (Thomas A kempis)