Responding to Life's Conditions: The Believer's Approach to Hardship and Ease
Hazrat Qari Ismail Desai Saheb
Hijri date
Ramadaan 1440
Duration
47:06
Summary
Life brings various conditions and circumstances.
A Hadith teaches that the believer's entire affair is good: grateful in ease, patient in hardship.
Without a strong connection with Allah, challenging conditions lead to restlessness.
Difficult times are opportunities to strengthen one's connection with Allah, as they prompt sincere turning to Him.
Seeking forgiveness (Istighfar) is a key solution to problems and difficulties, as supported by the Quran and examples like Hasan Basri.
There are two ways to respond to problems: the correct way and the incorrect way.
The correct response involves self-reflection, identifying one's own sins (like uncontrolled gazes or illicit mixing) that may be causing problems, and making sincere repentance (Tawba) and Istighfar.
This approach brings peace and happiness, as Allah appreciates efforts to please Him.
The incorrect response involves seeking relief from problems through further engagement in Haram (forbidden acts), which ultimately leads to deeper difficulties and divine punishment.
Difficulties are either a test (if they lead to turning to Allah) or a punishment (if they lead to further disobedience).
Spiritual states during hardship can vary: some express weakness to Allah, while others show gratitude, both are valid forms of submission.
True submission means aligning one's will with Allah's will, even if it seems counter-intuitive (as exemplified by Shah Daula).
Actions should be performed with sincerity (Ikhlas) for Allah's acceptance, not for human praise.
Do not abandon good deeds even if thoughts of showing off (Riya) arise; continue the action while seeking forgiveness for the thought.
Encourage starting good deeds, even if imperfectly, as habit (Aadat) can evolve into true worship (Ibadat).
Both positive worship (like prayers) and negative worship (abstaining from Haram) are crucial for pleasing Allah.
A true servant of Allah submits entirely to His will in all aspects of life.
Fight against the dictates of the ego (nafs) and desires, as yielding to them leads away from Allah.
The blessed nights of Ramadan (like the 25th) are opportune times to make sincere repentance and strengthen one's connection with Allah, moving from disobedience to obedience.