Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “And We tested them with good and evil so that they might return (to Us in repentance).” (Al-Araf 7: 169)
This verse reminds us that trials – whether
light or extremely painful – all have the purpose of bringing us back to Allah,
to purify us and draw us closer to Him.
In the face of trials, the best protection is Taqwa,
the reverential fear of Allah. This Taqwa guides us, calms us, and gives
us the strength to face difficulties with serenity. A believer who lives with Taqwa
knows that everything that happens has been decreed by Allah, and that nothing
happens without His permission. Allah affirms in the Qur’an: “There is no
creature on earth whose provision is not upon Allah. And He knows their place
of dwelling and their place of rest – all is clearly recorded.” (Hud 11: 7)
Destiny is an unavoidable reality. Everything
that happens in our lives – whether joy or sorrow – has already been written.
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “The first thing Allah created was the Pen. He
said to it: ‘Write.’ It asked: ‘What should I write?’ Allah said:
‘Write the destiny of everything until the Day of Judgement.’” (Abu
Dawud)
This Hadith teaches us that everything is
predestined, but there is one thing that can change a person’s destiny – especially
a believer’s – and that is Duahs, their supplications to Allah. Remember
well that nothing happens without it already being inscribed in Divine
Knowledge. A believer who accepts and submits to Allah’s will, and continues to
place their trust in Him – no matter how hard the trial – yet persists in doing
good and does not abandon their faith, then that person’s status is elevated in
the sight of Allah.
When a trial strikes a believer, they must
clothe themselves in two garments: patience (Sabr) and contentment (Rida).
These qualities allow them to pass through the storms of life with dignity and
faith. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “How amazing is the affair of the
believer! Everything that happens to him is good: if he experiences joy, he
thanks Allah, and that is good for him; if he experiences a trial, he is
patient, and that too is good for him.” (Muslim)
So bear in mind that even though difficulties
may seem insurmountable, yet Allah makes these trials disappear swiftly.
Let us take an example:
Something good happens to a person, and they rejoice and thank their Creator.
But if a trial touches them, of course they won’t rejoice, but still they do
not lose patience. They entrust themselves and their entire case to Allah, and
seek His grace, His mercy, His protection, and His forgiveness. Allah then
promises His favours to such a person. This is confirmed in the verse where
Allah says: “It may be that you dislike something while it is good for you.”
(Al-Baqara 2: 217)
Health is like a crown on the heads of those
who are healthy, and only the sick truly see it and know its value. Illnesses
are evils that spread like fire through dry wood. They spare no one; except
those whom Allah wills to protect. Some illnesses are inevitable. The Holy
Prophet (pbuh) said in a Hadith reported by Imam Bukhari that eight things must
happen to every young man: joy, sadness, separation, agreement, ease, hardship,
illness, and good health. Though illnesses are bitter and heavy, Allah has
placed wisdom and benefits within them.
The trial of illness can be considered a gift
from our Creator and a mercy, so that sins may be expiated and ranks elevated.
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “No Muslim suffers from any harm like illness
or otherwise, except that Allah erases his sins just as a tree sheds its
leaves.” (Muslim)
When a man asked the Noble Prophet (pbuh) what
benefit he could derive from illness, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) replied: “You
will gain expiation for all your sins on the Day of Judgement. Even a simple
thorn prick will be rewarded before Allah for all the patience you showed
because of it.”
So we must keep in mind that illness, whatever
its degree, demands patience and unwavering belief in Allah, the Healer and the
One Who decides all things. Even if its taste is bitter in this worldly life,
in the Hereafter, the one afflicted will be rewarded with sweetness greater
than honey. So why should man be angry, feel despair, and think everything is
over when a trial touches him? Everyone must draw lessons from every moment of
illness that the Prophets like Hazrat Ya’qub (as) and Hazrat Ayyub (as) went
through. These stories, revelations from Allah in the Holy Qur’an, must
convince us that patience and faith certainly bring relief, healing, and even
honour. Of course, along with Duahs and patience, a person must also make
use of the facilities that Allah has placed at their disposal in society, such
as medical treatment – because through this, Allah shows man how to attain
healing. So medical treatment also plays an important role.
The story of Hazrat Ayyub’s (as) illness is
well known. Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) recommended that all those afflicted by
misfortune should show patience like Hazrat Ayyub (as). But it is not a good
deed for someone to make Duahs asking for a trial, illness, or even
death to touch them. Everything inevitable in a believer’s life will surely
come when the time comes, but a person should not wish for it to come sooner.
On the contrary, they should take the time Allah has given them and spend it in
good thoughts and deeds. So a believer should not hope for trials to fall upon
them, but should ask Allah to protect them from such trials – and it is in this
way that all trials can be avoided, except death, because that is an inevitable
decree written for every human being, each in their appointed time. The Holy
Prophet (pbuh) said: “Ask Allah for forgiveness and good health. For none of
you has been given, after conviction (i.e. faith and trust in Allah), anything
better than health.” (Ibn Majah)
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) also said: “When I am
in good health and I thank my Lord, that is something Allah loves more – and it
is better for me – than going through a trial.”
So we must keep in mind that illness is not an
end in itself, but if it does befall someone, then for a believer, that illness
develops in them patience and hope for healing.
When Islam recommends patience during trials
and highlights the benefits of illnesses, we must not make the mistake of
giving pain or illness a grandeur it does not deserve. Islam praises all those
who know how to master their emotions and keep their conviction in it (Islam)
alive. Do you think Allah will continue to make you a victim of misfortune if
you show patience, gratitude, and faith? Think well – Allah is always
compassionate, full of generosity and favour.
A clear example of this is the case of Urwah
Ibn Az-Zubayr (ra). He had gangrene and had to have his foot amputated. Shortly
after, his son died after falling from the roof of their house. Urwah (ra)
said: “Praise be to You, my Lord! You gave me seven sons, You took one and
left me six. You gave me a body with many limbs, You took one and left the
others for me. I do not know how to thank You for all these favours. If You
decided to test me, You also gave me patience and sincere faith.”
This is the true health – the treasure – of a
believer: solid faith, exemplary patience, and constant gratitude towards
Allah. Whether we are in ease or in trial, in health or in illness, our hearts
must remain attached to our Creator, filled with hope and trust in His infinite
wisdom. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
----Friday Sermon of 15 August 2025~ 20 Safar 1447 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.