The Reward for Those Who are Beset With a Calamity
On the authority of Hazrat Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه who has reported that Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم has said; “On the Day of Qiyaamah, the scales shall be put up. Then those who used to offer their prayer (Salaah) shall be brought and they shall be given their reward as weighed out on the scales. Then those who used to fast shall be brought, and they shall be given their reward as weighed on the scale. Then those who used to give charity shall be brought, and they shall be given their reward as weighed on the scale. Then those who performed pilgrimage shall be brought, and they shall be given their reward as weighed on the scale. Then those who were calamity-struck shall be brought. No scale should be put up for them, nor shall any register be opened for them, rather Divine reward shall pour down upon them in showers, without measure.
Thereafter Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم recited:
‘Verily, the steadfast shall be paid their wages without measure.’
(Surah az-Zumar: Verse 10)
So far that those who were safe and sound during their worldly life will wish that their bodies had been cut to pieces with scissors, because of the great bounties which those whom calamity befell were given.”
(رواه ابن مردويه فى تفسيره بحر الفوائد المشهور بمعاني الأخبار للكلاباذي 587/2 مع تغيير يسير)
(SOURCE: DESPAIR YE NOT OF ALLAH’S MERCY, pages 78/79 compiled by Hamid Ibrāhīm Ahmad, Muhammad Hussain Al-Aqbi)
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To Be Pleased With the Decision of Allah Ta’ala
Hazrat Imām Muhammad Ghazzali Sahib رحمه الله has explained that one is affected by difficulty and dislikes it naturally. However, since his intellect informs him of a great result, i.e. reward in the Aakhirah, he accepts this difficulty happily. As an example, when a doctor prescribes a bitter medicine for the patient to swallow, or encourages him to take an injection – the patient acknowledges the difficulty of the treatment but is aware that the effects of being diligent on the treatment will lead to good health. Not only is he pleased with the doctor; in fact he feels obligated to him and appreciates him.
A businessman is pleased with all the difficulties and encumbrances he has to undergo, even though it is completely against his temperament. Since his intellect has explained to him the great benefits and results of this difficulty, this dislike and hardship converts into love and desire. When one does not regard difficulties to be difficulties, just for attaining the temporary benefits of this world, then why should it be surprising when one is pleased to bear difficulties and hardships, in attaining the felicity and success of the Aakhirah?
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Involantary Difficulties
Hazrat Imām Muhammad Ghazzali Sahib رحمه الله has written that a pious woman slipped. Her toenail fell out. Instead of moaning and wailing, she began smiling. People asked her; “Are you not feeling the pain?”
She replied; “The enjoyment of the reward I will receive, has removed from my heart the bitterness of its pain.
In short, whoever believes from the bottom of his heart, that he will receive such a great reward from Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله for every difficulty he bore; that this difficulty will bear no comparison to the reward he will attain. Furthermore, the state of his heart will be such that he will be happy and pleased inspite of experiencing difficulties.
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An Amazing Incident
Hazrat Imām Muhammad Ghazzali Sahib رحمه الله has shared an incident of a pious man who would always utter in every problem; “Goodness is in that which Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله Ordained.” He used to reside in a village. He possessed a donkey on which he would load his goods; a dog that would guard his house; and a rooster that would wake him up in the morning. One day a fox came and grabbed the rooster, taking it away. When he saw his wife disheartened, he said to her; “Goodness is in that which Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله Ordained.” Thereafter, a wolf came, and killed the donkey. Again he uttered these words to console his wife. The dog thereafter fell sick, and died. Once again, he uttered; “Goodness is in that which Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله Ordained.” His wife was astonished at him, that there was so much of loss caused to them, but he continued to say that there must be goodness in these actions.
One morning, they awoke to find that all the houses around them had been attacked the night before. All the people were imprisoned, and all the children made into slaves. The soldiers had recognised the houses in the darkness of the night by the braying of the people’s donkeys, the barking of their dogs, and the crowing of their roosters. The pious man then said to his wife; “You have seen now that goodness is in what Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has Ordained. The animals of the people were the cause of their problems. If our animals had not died before this, then you and I would also have been taken away as prisoner.”
Therefore, it is quite clear that we are not aware of the underlying secrets and wisdoms of the various incidents that occur in our lives. When we examine the benefits; we will realise that a difficulty was not a difficulty but rather a mercy. Furthermore, whatever is happening in this temporary world, which is viewed as a calamity by the ordinary layman, is seen in a completely different light by those who possess Ma’rifah (recognition of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله ).
(SOURCE: TABLIGHE DEEN by Imām Muhammad Ghazzali رحمه الله)
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A Story Full of Morals
Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi Sahib رحمه الله has related a story of a person who happened to meet Hazrat Khidhr عليه السلام. He requested Hazrat Khidhr عليه السلام to make dua for him that he remains safe and secure in his life from all sorts of grief, troubles, mishaps and hardships. Hazrat Khidhr عليه السلام told the person that he could not supplicate to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله for such a boon because the nature of worldly life was such that one will experience troubles, worries and grief. He, however, advised this person to go around the world to search for an individual who is free from worry and living a blissful existence; if he came across such a fortunate individual, then he (Hazrat Khidhr عليه السلام) would supplicate to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله to make him like that fortunate person.
The seeker of peace went to various places and his eyes fell upon a handsome jeweller who had excessive amounts of gold, silver and precious stones. He had a well decorated shop, a magnificent mansion and was endowed with comforts and luxuries. In addition, the jeweller had healthy and beautiful children playing before him. Enchanted by the ‘trouble free’ life of the jeweller, the man desired to become like him. However, before leaving the place, it occurred to the person that he should ask the jeweller if he had any internal diseases, worries or troubles – he therefore went to the jeweller and explained to him his desire for peace. The jeweller took this person aside and told him that he was the most unfortunate man in the world. He then related to the stranger the sad story of his immoral wife and said that all the beautiful children were in fact illegitimate. The jeweller said that his was the most wretched and tortuous existence; every single moment was consumed by grief. The jeweller advised the person not to supplicate to be like him. The ‘seeker of peace’ concluded his wandering and went back to Hazrat Khidhr عليه السلام and told him that he could not find a single person who was free from troubles whom he could emulate. Hazrat Khidhr عليه السلام repeated his earlier statement that none in this world was free and exempt of troubles, grief and worries. Hazrat Khidhr عليه السلام made dua that Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله favour this person with peace, prosperity and contentment in life.
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Man Has Been Granted Different Types of Bounties
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله has said that it is impossible for anyone in this world to be free from grief, troubles and hardships. Everyone is suffering from some form of worry or the other. Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has planned the affairs of this universe in such a way that one person has been bestowed with worldly riches and another person has been blessed with the bounty of health. Many people are well off but they are burdened with ill health; this is quite apparent in many instances.
(SOURCE: SELF MANAGEMENT – A BLESSING IN DISGUISE by Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله )
Reflections
What is therefore required is that man utilise the bounties or difficulties in attaining a closeness to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله ; the need is to have the correct attitude – yes, Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله is indeed in control.