How believers should respond to trials and tribulations

ALL human beings are subjected to trials in life. Many of us do not even realise that we are being tried.

It's as if you sit the most important exam of your life without even realising that you are in the examination hall. Needless to say that preparation is required.

The best way Muslims can prepare and respond to trials is to examine ourselves, cool down the fire of these tribulations, remove their causes and reduce the effects to the bare minimum.

Allah says in the Holy Quran "And certainly We shall test you with something of fear; hunger; loss of wealth, lives and fruits (or crops), but give glad tidings to the patient ones." (Quran, 2:155). Another verse of the Allah says in the Holy Quran: "And surely, We shall try you till We know those of you who strive hard (for the Cause of Allah) and the patient ones; and We shall test your record (i.e. the one who is a liar; and the one who is truthful)" (Holy Quran, 47: 31).

When Muslims are tested one can distinguish between the faithful Muslims and the liars; between the sincere Muslims and the opportunists. We are all tested according to the level of our faith. The Prophet (peace be upon him) informed us: "The most severely tested of people are the Prophets and then the righteous ones." Allah has warned the Muslims in the Holy Quran with trials, if they turn away from the religion of their Lord and His laws. The word 'trial' here includes all kinds of punishments — rampant in all societies today — like killings, natural disasters, imposing of tyrant rulers and disease.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) gave us hope when it comes to difficulties by saying: "Verily, if Allah loves a people, He makes them go through trials (ordeals, suffering and difficulties). Whoever is satisfied, for him is contentment (happiness), and whoever is angry, upon him is wrath (anger)." It is part of our faith (Al-Iman) to be content with all that is decreed (written in our fate): all of what is good and bad.

So how should Muslims act at times of difficulty and stress? Muslims should seek remedy against the trials by holding fast onto the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet. Allah says: "Then, whoever follows My Guidance shall neither go astray, nor fall into distress (suffering) and misery (sadness)." (Quran, 20:123). Muslims should implement the commands of these two pure sources in every aspect of their lives.