The Trials and Tribulations of 2015

For many of us, 2015 kicked off on a “bleak” and sour note – with the severe floods across the country with major losses, another plane tragedy, deaths and severe illnesses amongst loved ones..
It is high time for us to reflect on ourselves to ponder upon one wisdom on why Allah has Decreed such tribulations : so we return to Him in humility.

Allah says in the Qur’an:
وَلَنُذِيقَنَّهُمْ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ الْأَدْنَىٰ دُونَ الْعَذَابِ الْأَكْبَرِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
“And verily, We will make them taste the near torment (i.e. the torment in the life of this world: disasters, calamities, etc.) prior to the supreme torment (in the Hereafter),
in order that they may (repent and) return (to Allah).” (Surah As-Sajdah 32:21)

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَىٰ أُمَمٍ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ فَأَخَذْنَاهُمْ بِالْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَضَرَّعُونَ
“Verily, We sent (Messengers) to many nations before you (O Muhammad). And We seized them with extreme poverty (or loss in wealth) and loss in health with calamities –
so that they might believe with humility.” (Surah Al-An’am 6:42)

Hardships and trials should increase a person’s faith –
It should make us come to the realization that our existence in this world can be short lived, and that we WILL meet Allah to answer for our deeds; and if Allah Decrees our early departure, there is none that can prevent it from happening.
It should drive a person to draw a closer to Allah, making him realize that– no matter how much we have invested in this world – at the end of the day, what matters is our good deeds and our relationship with Allah.
It should make us re-evaluate ourselves and our weaknesses as individuals – for “Every son of Adam continuously commits sins, but the best of sinners are those who repent” (Hadith Narrated by ibn Majah and At-Tirmidzi)
It should make us be more proactive about extending help to others. Ponder on what will happen if these trials were to inflict us directly – who will be there for us? So now, what role have we played to support those in need: by our actions, do we demonstrate we love for others what we love for ourselves?

And that regard, we should look at these hardships as a Blessing – had Allah made us remain in our comfort and ease, perhaps our complacency and heedlessness will make us procrastinate again and drift us away from the Reminder to turn to Him and prepare for our meeting with him.

May Allah make us amongst those who turn to Him in repentance, and may He help those in need, and alleviate the suffering and hardships that they are going through.. Ameen.

فَلَوْلَا إِذْ جَاءَهُمْ بَأْسُنَا تَضَرَّعُوا وَلَٰكِنْ قَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
“When Our Torment reached them, why then did they not believe with humility? But their hearts became hardened, and Shaitan (Satan) made fair-seeming to them that which they used to do.” (Surah Al-An’am 6:43)