The pleasures which had entangled us in passions and made us
victims of lust and sensuality and surrounded us in darkness, take us far away from the
light. Satan was then our partner. "If any one withdraws himself from remembrance of
(Allah) Most Gracious, We appoint for him an evil one, to be an intimate companion to
him".
The substance of one Hadith is that when Allah has affection for
His servant, He involves him in some misfortune to test him. If he is patient and endures
it with constancy, Allah makes him a chosen one. If he is satisfied, then Allah selects
him as exalted.
Imam Ahmed (RA) points out that the Holy Qur'an mentions patience
at 90 places of which some are:
"And Allah loves those who are firm and steadfast"
(III:146). And one with whom Allah is pleased what could make him sad, or afraid for he is
blessed with the company of Allah. "For Allah is with those who patiently
persevere" (II:153).
It is because of patience and endurance that one is entitled to
leadership. "And We appointed from among them, leaders, giving guidance under Our
Command, so long as they persevered with patience and continued to have Faith in Our
Signs" (XXXII:24).
And those who are patient their constancy acts like a shield
against the cunning and afraid of the enemies. "But if ye are constant and do right,
not the least harm will their cunning do to you" (III: 120).
Eventually your triumph over them is certain and liberation from
the enemies. "The fair promise of thy Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel,
because they had patience and constancy" (VIII: 137).
We know the reward for every good deed: but the reward for
patience and endurance has no bounds. It is therefore not possible for us to fathom the
amount of reward for patience. Allah has collectively reserved His Mercy, Guidance and
Benevolence for those who exercise patience and constancy.
Consequently, this collective reward of Allah is for those who
endure and not for others. "But give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere,
who say, when afflicted with calamity, To Allah we belong and to Him is our return: They
are those on whom (descend) blessings from Allah and Mercy, and they are the ones that
receive Guidance" (II:154 157).
The etiquette of endurance is that one should withhold his tongue
from complaint and protestation. Our misfortunes should not be complained of before any
one except Allah. "I only complain of my distraction and anguish to Allah..."
(XII:86).
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has said:
"The treasure of good deeds is the nonrevealing of misfortunes and distress.
Whoever reveals his misfortunes has not exercised patience and endurance."
Expressing gratitude for His Bounties is another mode of
beseeching Allah's help. In man's life there is happiness and sorrow, comfort and
hardship. Allah tests His servants by giving them comfort and inflicting hardship.
"And We test you by evil and by good by way of trial" (XXI 35). Favours and
miseries are both agencies of testing man. This reality is expressed in the Holy Qur'an
thus.
"We broke them up into sections on this earth. There are
among them some that are the righteous, and some that are the opposite. We have tried them
with both prosperity and adversity; in order that they might turn (to us)" (VII:168).
It is human nature to seek liberation from misfortunes and desire
increase in Benevolence. The prudence of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has pointed out the
proper course to be adopted in both conditions. Endurance in misfortunes and gratitude for
Bounties cause a tremendous change in the heart of man. On the one hand by exercising
patience man is relieved of lamentation, complaints, mourning and beating of chest. In the
case of bounties, gratitude keeps us safe from pride, immodesty and self esteem.
The experiences and accidents in life are ordeals and they
develop our character. These are of two kinds viz., mild and harsh. Man's nature also
consists of two states of feeling viz., sense of security or distress; harsh or painful
accidents take place to make us forgo our sinful life. They keep us away from passionate
desires and reform our character.
We are also tested by comfort and plenitude. If in such
conditions we are not forgetful of the remembrance of Allah and turn towards Him and
utilise His Bounties according to His desire, then it is certain that the Bounties will
increase. Expression of heartfelt gratitude by words and deeds do not only safeguard the
Bounties of Allah but they get increased. "If ye are grateful, I will add more
(favours) unto you" (XIV:7).
Fulfilment of supplications, providing of sustenance and
contentment; repentance and forgiveness are dependent on this Will of Allah. To bestow if
He desires and not to grant if He likes; but in return for gratitude acknowledged, the
increase in His Bounties is certain.
Hasan Basri (RA) termed gratitude as the guard of Allah's
Bounties, which further attract latent ones.
It would be advisable to relate the Bounties of Allah which we do
not usually observe.
These are of two kinds viz.,
1) Positive or Apparent Benevolences.
2) Passive or Hidden Benevolences.
In positive Benevolences man should always keep in his sight his
health, soundness of his body and stature and should ponder over them. He should think of
the pleasures he derives by eating, drinking and yearning for sex which are available to
him.
In passive Benevolences he should count that he is free from
deformity and disease, safe from the mischief of enemies and adversaries. Man of Faith
looks at Benevolence, from another angle. He is recipient of Divine Guidance and Chasity.
Benevolence of Divine Guidance is that he has Faith in the Unity of Allah, Truth and
Rectitude. Benevolence of Chasity means that man is kept safe from Polytheism, Hypocrisy
and Innovations in religion and sins.
