“How does a Muslim deal with trials?”

Shaykh Muhammad Sa’eed Raslaan (hafidhahullaah) comments: “The steps that the one whom Allaah, tabaarak wa ta’aala, is putting to trial with adversity must follow are summarized in this way:The first step that a person must strive to take when he is put to trial with adversity is yaqeen (certainty) and ridhaa (being pleased with Allaah). So if something that the soul dislikes comes and if adversity comes, the first step that a Muslim must take when preparing himself to accept that trial of adversity is yaqeen and ridhaa. And it is upon a Muslim to believe firmly that there is another life that is better than this (worldly) life as Allaah, tabaarak wa ta’aala, said: {And the Hereafter is better and more lasting}, and as He, jallat qudratuh, said: {And the home of the Hereafter will be better, and excellent indeed will be the home of the Muttaqeen (the pious)}. So if a person is certain that there is another abode beyond this one that is better and more lasting, this means that this affliction that has come upon him and this adversity that is causing him pain and taking away his well-being, this affliction – no matter how long it lasts – it will eventually end. 


Because the dunyaa itself is fleeting, so whatever trials, calamities and adversities happen in it, they are fleeting all the more so.This life is an abode of affliction and trial, thus all the adversities that happen in it will nothing but eventually end. And Allaah does not do anything except for a wisdom, and there isn’t anything in existence that happens without purpose, and Allaah puts a person to trial to test his patience and sincerity. Hence, when one reflects over these with yaqeen and ridhaa, the coolness of yaqeen descends over the fire of the calamity until it extinguishes it, and the coolness of yaqeen and ridhaa remains in the heart then takes away the heat of the calamity that was decreed for this slave.”


“The second step is: sabr (patience) and ihtisaab (hoping for the reward of Allaah).This patience will place the slave in the ma’eeyah of Allaah, subhaanah (i.e., Allaah will be with him), as confirmed by Allaah’s, jallat qudratuh, statement: {Allaah is with those who are patient}. This is a special ma’eeyah, one of support, help, and it is more special than the general ma’eeyah: {He is with you wherever you are}. This is the general ma’eeyah, as for the special ma’eeyah, it is: {Allaah is with those who are patient}. Likewise, along with this (special) ma’eeyah, Allaah, tabaarak wa ta’aala, has made (the patient one) from those whom He loves: {Allaah loves those who are patient}.And a person should be certain that with hardship comes ease and that with hardship comes relief, and that Allaah, subhaanahu wa ta’aala, is the One who removes his adversity and distress – {if Allaah should touch you with adversity, there is no remover of it except Him} – and (a person should be certain) that Allaah’s, tabaarak wa ta’aala, Mercy will encompass him as He, subhaanah, is {the One who sends down the rain after they had despaired and spreads His Mercy}. 


\And He, subhaanah, said: {Allaah will bring ease after hardship}. And He, jallat qudratuh, said: {Indeed with hardship comes ease. Indeed with hardship comes ease}. So the One who brings ease after hardship, removes the hardship, and lifts the distress, it is Allaah, subhaanahu wa ta’aala.And from His, subhaanah, Absolute Mercy is that He expiates the previous sins from the one who is afflicted with this trial. So a person should know that this trial is only for expiating his sins. And he should know that the reward of the one who is patient is the attainment of Allaah’s Pleasure and Paradise: {Indeed, I have rewarded them this Day for their patience – that they are the ones who are successful}. So Allaah, tabaarak wa ta’aala, has made the reward for patience to be the attainment of Paradise and eternal life in everlasting delight.”