The Sign Whether a Difficulty is a Mercy from Allah Ta’ala
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله has stated that in the ordeal of Sayyiduna Ayyūb عليه السلام, there are signs that indicate which hardship comes as a punishment due to the anger and displeasure of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله; and which hardship is a favour and mercy from Him.
In the first case, the man afflicted with hardships begins to complain and raises objection to the decision of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله; he does not turn to Him in repentance.
In the second scenario, the condition of the afflicted person is that of submission. He makes duaa unto Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله to relieve him of the hardship which is too severe for a weak and helpless man like him to withstand.
Therefore, at the time of suffering, when a man is granted the tawfeeq to turn to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله in repentance and seek His assistance; this suffering is a mercy and will be a source of goodness for the afflicted person in this world and the Aakhirah. When one is afflicted by any suffering and he does not turn to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله in repentance and submission; one must realise that this is a sign of the displeasure and anger of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله.When man inclines towards Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله on the occasions of hardships and calamities; this can be regarded as a mercy from Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله.
(SOURCE: SELF MANAGEMENT – SUFFERING, A BLESSING IN DISGUISE by Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله )
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The Sign of the Acceptance of Dua (Supplication)
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله has said that sometimes a difficulty is experienced by a person and he turns to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله in dua for relief due to the affliction but there appears no change in his predicament. Outwardly, it appears that his dua has been ignored. Is this really the case?
When an individual is granted the tawfeeq to turn to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله in dua when confronted by difficult circumstances; this is a sign that his dua has been
accepted. In such a situation, the afflicted person will get two rewards; a reward for his difficulty and the second for making dua unto Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله for relief. Furthermore, every time the afflicted person makes dua, he will be rewarded. We need to remember that in the case of dua being rejected, the afflicted person would not have been given the opportunity to turn to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله for relief.
Hazrat Moulana Jalaaluddeen Rūmi رحمه اللہ تعالی has beautifully expressed the following in a Persian couplet; “When My servant utters My name ‘الله ‘ then his very uttering of My name is a sign that I have accepted his call.” Thus, being granted the tawfeeq to put forward one’s plea to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله for help is a sign that the appeal has been granted. However, it is the prerogative of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله as to how long the servant should endure the difficulty and when he be granted relief. Man, by nature, is very hasty and he desires immediate relief whereas the delay (in relief) is elevating his status in the Court of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله. Man should therefore refrain from complaining about his difficulties; he should continue making dua unto Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله for relief from his afflictions until his troubles are removed.
(SOURCE: SELF MANAGEMENT – SUFFERING, A BLESSING IN DISGUISE by Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله )
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An Incident in the Life of Hajee Imdaadullah Sahib رحمه الله
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله has explained that man should never desire that he be tested with hardships, but when difficulties befall him, he should accept them with patience without making complaints against them. Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلی الله عيه وسلم has himself sought refuge with Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله from hardships. In one dua Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلی الله عيه وسلم said; “O Allah, I seek refuge with You from serious diseases and ailments.” When Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلی الله عيه وسلم was afflicted, He صلی الله عيه وسلم took them as a favour, but at the same time made dua for relief from the disease.
Hakeemul Ummah Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi Sahib رحمه الله has related an incident in one of his discourses about Hazrat Hajee Imdaadullah Makki Sahib رحمه الله; Hazrat Hajee Sahib رحمه الله was once speaking in his assembly on this topic. He said that all hardships that come down from Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله are a mercy and bounty, provided the person concerned recognises the value of the hardships and turns to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله in repentance and submission. A man then entered who was suffering from leprosy which had made his body rotten; he requested that Hazrat Hajee Sahib رحمه الله make dua unto Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله for cure from the terrible disease. Earlier, Hazrat Hajee Sahib رحمه الله had just told those who were sitting in the assembly that all sufferings are a mercy from Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله . They wondered what reply Hazrat Hajee Sahib رحمه الله was going to give to the man. Hazrat Hajee Sahib رحمه الله raised his hands in dua and said; “O Allah, the disease with which this man has been afflicted with is also a sign of Your mercy. But on account of his weakness, he is unable to bear this form of mercy. So, O Allah, I pray to You to convert the blessing of this disease into the blessing of cure and health for this man.”
This supplication reveals the understanding of Deen which is acquired from the Ahlullāh.
(SOURCE: SELF MANAGEMENT – SUFFERING, A BLESSING IN DISGUISE by Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله )
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Helplessness Should be Displayed
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله has stated that some saints, when afflicted with hardships, groaned on account of pains they experienced. This attitude outwardly indicates that the afflicted person is impatient and complaining due to the suffering (this attitude is prohibited).
The answer to this objection is implied in the Hadīth itself;
أشد الناس بلاء الأنبياء ثم الأمثل فالأمثل (مسند البزار الرقم 1150)
‘The most severely burdened with calamities (in this world) are the Prophets عليهم السلام then those who come next to them in righteousness and Prophetic conduct.’
Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Farooq Sahib رحمه الله has said that the righteous servants of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله do not complain about their hardships; rather they express their helplessness and humility – their moaning and groaning is to attract the mercy of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله . Our pious predecessors stressed that on the occasions of distress, the servant should not display bravery but rather meekness.
By virtue of adopting this mindset, Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله forgives the servant and elevates his status in the Aakhirah.
(SOURCE: SELF MANAGEMENT – SUFFERING, A BLESSING IN DISGUISE by Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله )
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The incident of a Pious Servant
Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله has shared an incident related by his respected father Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Shafi Sahib رحمه الله regarding a pious servant who became ill. Another righteous man came to visit him to inquire about his health; he saw the patient was reciting the words;
الحمد لله الحمد لله
Praise to Allah
The visitor said; “It is very nice that you are expressing gratitude unto Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله , but it is also necessary that you should groan during your sickness; you cannot recover from the sickness unless you give vent to your suffering by your groans. Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has afflicted you with this sickness that you may show your sadness and express your helplessness before Him.” Servitude demands that a man should not display before Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله his boldness and defiance. He should rather show his helplessness and pray to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله to grant him cure, as he was weak and unable to endure the impact of the illness.
The elder brother of Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله , Janaab Zaki Kaifi, was a poet. He expressed very beautifully in one of his couplets that when some hardship falls on man from Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله , it is not good to suppress the pain and grief to such a degree that the suffering is not visible from his face and behaviour. This is the display of a sort of boldness before Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله , as if the afflicted person was throwing a challenge to Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله .
The best policy is to express helplessness and humility before Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله on such occasions.
(SOURCE: SELF MANAGEMENT – SUFFERING, A BLESSING IN DISGUISE by Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Taqi Uthmāni Sahib حفظه الله )