As-salamu `alaykum wa rahmatullah
A nice reminder I received from a friend (may Allah reward you). Thought it’d be beneficial to share it with others.
Five Reasons why Allah uses problems
The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you – depending on how you respond to them. Unfortunately, most people fail to see how Allah wants to use problems for good in their lives. They react foolishly and resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring.
Here are five ways Allah wants to use the problems in your life:
1. Allah uses problems to DIRECT you.
Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention? “Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways.”
2. Allah uses problems to INSPECT you.
People are like tea bags…if you want to know what’s inside them, just drop them into hot ever water! Has God tested your faith with a problem What do problems reveal about
you? “When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience.”
3. Allah uses problems to CORRECT you.
Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It’s likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove…. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something… health, money, a relationship.. .. by losing it. “It was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws.”
4. Allah uses problems to PROTECT you.
A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem – but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management’s actions were eventually discovered. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…”
5. Allah uses problems to PERFECT you.
Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you’re going to take with you into eternity. “We can rejoice when we run into problems…they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.”
Here’s the point:
God is at work in your life – even when you do not recognize it or understand it.
But it’s much easier and profitable when you cooperate with Him.
“Success can be measured not only in achievements, but in lessons learned, lives touched and moments shared along the way”
Allah Knows Best…
asalamu’alaykum, this was being circled around as being done by a shaykh, but it was written by a christian man on his myspace page, and under each category he lists proofs from their book, so ….Allaah knows best.
*this was not written by shaykh fawzaan, but by a chrisitan man*
السلام عليكم
Either way, whoever wrote it. It holds true and a good reminder inshaAllah.
جزاك الله خير
Assalamualykum,
How to differentiate between a test and punishment from Allah? Why I am having tummy ache ? is it because I ate something bad or I am being tested by Allah? One of my teachers answered me whenever a problem comes to you ..how do you react? Will you use it as a means to come more closer to Allah or will you run away from Allah by saying words or doing actions that are displeased by Allah? Either way use it as a means to come closer to Allah and surrender to his will..Indeed Allah is with sabeeroon.
Jazakillahu khairaan sis.
I actually did doubt it was written by al-Fawzan (simply because it was not his style), but because that was the source I received it as, I kept that.
Either way, the message is in agreement with the teachings of Islam – every test has deep hikam (wisdom) in it; sometimes it’s to get us to move on, change our ways, build our character and attain certain characteristics which we’ve been missing etc.
Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh,
Al Hamdulillaah that was a good post. It certainly made me reflect.
I’m not sure that many people will be able to be 2full of joy” or “rejoice” when they face trials but knowing why we are being tested certainly does help to make the trial easier to bear.
Jazaaki Allaahu khayran for your reminders. I look forward to your next ebook insha Allaah …
Assalaamu alaykum
Assalamoalaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatohu
Certainly this is a post to make one think….and perhaps the hikmah is according to Islamic creeed, even if the wordings and style are perhaps not and Allah SWT knows best. The best knowledge is that which Allah SWT in His Wisdom guided us to through the Quraan and the Sunnah.
This is actually an issue that is being discussed in our halaqa classes right now. MashAllah the sisters who conduct this halaqa group have been blessed by Allah SWT in that they take everyday issues like this and organise all the Ayats, ahadith and scholarly works into very simple and easy to understand and inshAllah, easy to apply, formats. Just to share some of the points they have raised which have been very beneficial:
All of Allah’s Prophets and Messengers were tried. Those firmly on Allah’s Path are tried, for example the Sahabas of Rasulillah SAW. As per various ayah from the Quraan, Allah tries those whom He loves the most, and each according only to his capacity. This is from His mercy and compassion and His wisdom. The main issue at stake is whether you turn to your means or do you remain steadfast and focus all your attention and return to your Lord, the Lord of all things Who Alone is Sufficient for the believer?
Allah SWT in His mercy never tries those whom He loves until He gives them the knowledge to successfully negotiate the trial (now that is such a beautiful thought; simply amazing SubhannAllah).
Allah SWT as the Rabb al A’alameen is the Nurturer, nurturing us from a lowly weakly state to one of strength. When Allah SWT loves someone He SWT nurtures them to a state befitting their eventual high state in the Akhirah. Trials and afflictions are the polish and cleansing and elevation of those whom Allah SWT loves.
Through trials and afflictions, Allah SWT will make clear to you your weaknesses and sins, especially those of the heart which are kept hidden from all, so that He may cleanse and purify you.
Trials and afflictions faced with steady and pure faith in Allah SWT, complete and unremitting trust in Allah SWT and His Mercy and seeking of knowledge from the Quraan and the Sunnah, are a blessing few know the sweetness of. it purifies your soul and frees and liberates you from so many useless affairs of the duniyah. It makes you float on a firm conviction that you are completely taken care of and have no worries and no fears. and all this in the best of very best manners beyond our imagination. Your world becomes one of salaam (peace) and tranquility and contentment because alhamdulillah you are truly pleased with Allah SWT as your Lord, al Islam as your deen and Mohammed SAW as your prophet.
I do sincerely apologise for any mistakes and may Allah SWT guide us all to the best of the best, our total and pure submission to Him SWT as our Lord.
The message written above is in agreement with Islamic teachings. Praise Allah,praise Islam…
Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh,
Sister “radhiyah”. Jazaaki Allaah khayran for your comments. They added deeper insights to the points mentioned in sister Fajr’s original post.
I guess when you look at it the way you described, trials do become much easier to bear. Its amazing how Allaah eases people’s lives through knowledge.
Do you have a blog or something where you post any thoughts or insights?
Assalamoalaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatohu
Just wanted to share with Sister Fulaan a few inspiring ahadith about afflictions and sabr
Sahih Bukhari Volume 7, Book 70, Number 547:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah’s Apostle said, “The example of a believer is that of a fresh tender plant; from whatever direction the wind comes, it bends it, but when the wind becomes quiet, it becomes straight again. Similarly, a believer is afflicted with calamities (but he remains patient till Allah removes his difficulties.) And an impious wicked person is like a pine tree which keeps hard and straight till Allah cuts (breaks) it down when He wishes.” (See Hadith No. 558, Vol. 9.)
Sahih Bukhari Volume 7, Book 70, Number 560:
Narrated Ibn Abbas: The Prophet went to visit a sick bedouin. Whenever the Prophet went to a patient, he used to say to him, “Don’t worry, if Allah will, it will be expiation (for your sins):” The bedouin said, “You say expiation? No, it is but a fever that is boiling or harassing an old man and will lead him to his grave without his will.” The Prophet said, “Then, yes, it is so.”
SubhannAllah this means the affliction is whatever you make it; a way to Allah’s supreme mercy and rewards or something of the duniyah that wrenches at your very soul perhaps to destroy it. I loved this one!!!
subhannAllah these days we look at the Deen of Allah SWT with the eyes of the duniyah so the duniyah seems to be the reality (the fever harassing you) while those whom Allah SWT guides by His mercy see the duniyah with the knowledge of the Quraan and the Sunnah and see in all things only Allah’s Will and know the duniyah is but our temporary abode which will decide which way our abode of the qabr and the Akhirah. and that my sister is the only true reality.
i dont have a blog or website but i would love to talk to all my sisters any time
Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh,
Jazaaki Allaahu khayran for the ahadeeth sister. I find them very beneficial ma sha Allaah.
I am a brother by the way.
It would be good if you could share whatever you feel would benefit people on a blog or forum.
Assalamoalaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatohu
OOPS!!! so very sorry for that mistake i ve seen ur comments on other posts n i just assumed you were a sister for some reason i cannot now remember
MashAllah the halaqa classes i attend are just awesome as a tool for everyday Islam easily put to action perhaps i should start a blog revolving around the dars as they are really ever so beneficial alhamdulillahi Rabb il A’alaameen
Jazak Allah khairen for your kind thoughts
Sister Radhiyah I love it How u explained it MAsha’ Allah. ANd thank U sister Fajr So much it is very Helpful Wallah. Amazing. Btw sis fajr do u mind if i share the article wit couple of My friends?
i moved with the words bellow, it touch my life.
“God is at work in your life – even when you do not recognize it or understand it”
“But it’s much easier and profitable when you cooperate with Him”
“Success can be measured not only in achievements, but in lessons learned, lives touched and moments shared along the way”
Allah Knows Best…
Feel free to use it, Ruqiyah.
Reblogged this on nasreene.