Muslim Believer’s Attitude during Difficulties | Things To-Do in Times of Hardship

Difficult times are part of Allah’s law in this universe means every difficulty comes from Allah Almighty. Allah (SWT) tests the believers in times of hardships. Difficulties are part of tests that people go through. Sometimes difficulty becomes the source of learning we can also say a purification from sins and mistakes. It could be a test of patience. Allah (SWT) says in Holy Quran: “For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.” (Quran, 94:5)

Whenever a believer faces hardship, he/she takes a step back from their difficult situation and thinks about it from a higher level. They turn away from their life with all its worries, anxieties, problems, and just thinks about it from an Akhira perspective. This life is a life of dishonesty or falsehood; there’s good and bad, justice and injustice, mercy and oppression, love and hate, truth and falsehood…etc. Believer’s role in this life is to live life according to how Allah Almighty asked to do, seeking His pleasure, avoiding His anger. And Allah (SWT) promises in many places in the Quran, that if you do just Allah said to live this life, He will give you a good life. Allah says in the Quran: “Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, verily, to him will We give a new Life, a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.” (Quran, 16:97)

We can get closer to Allah Almighty during difficulties or facing hardships. Believers emerge as stronger, unites and more skilled while facing hardships but only if he/she know how to deal with difficulties according to Allah’s guidance and life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) went through a lot of difficult times both on a personal and a community level. Life of Muhammad (SAW) was extremely successful; still, it was the most challenging life. By the desire and the guidance of Allah Almighty, He (SAW) was able to meet all the challenges which He (PBUH) faced and come out of difficult times much stronger than ever before. Islam teaches us to have faith in Allah Almighty during difficulties. We should have faith in His Mercy. Allah says in Holy Quran: “[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed – and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving.” (Quran, 67:2)

Prophet (SAW) said in one of His Hadith: “The greater reward is with the greater trial or the greater the trial or difficulty of test or hardship is then the greater the reward. And when Allah loves a person He will test them. The people as long as they are in good health, good shape, good condition they are covered. You don’t know their true character because they are in good situation, they are in good circumstance. As long as they are in good circumstances they are covered. But if a trial or difficulty or a hardship comes upon them, then you will see their reality. They will go to their reality. The Mumin will run to his Imaan, the hypocrite will run to his hypocrisy.” (Tirmidhi)

From above-mentioned hadith, we can conclude that a hardship and suffering is a blessing in disguise. It is a moment of test, a test that once you pass with patience, it will grant you reward more than you can imagine.

During the difficult time there is no need to worry instead we should take some essential steps to overcome these hardships:

Things-To-Do in Times of Hardship

some practical steps are mentioned below which will help to face the difficult situation:

• Offer Salah: Make sure to praying on time that is 5 times a day. Never miss a salah and do your best to pray each Salah with sincerity as if it’s your last salah in this world.
• Make Dua: Make dua for removing doubt or mistrust during difficulties.
• Read Quran: Quran is a book of guidance by reading Quran you will find the solution of every difficulty that you are facing in your life.
• Give Sadaqah or Charity: Give lots of charity, as much as you can, because it helps drive away hardship.
• Hardship is Not Lost: Remember one thing, Allah will never forget the injustice and hardship you ever faced in life, so don’t worry about seeking revenge or trying to get justice.

In short, being a Muslim always welcome your hardships for they are blessings. Know that Allah loves you. That’s why He wishes to purify you during hardships. Allah loves you and He has given you an opportunity to come close to Him, He has allowed you to earn more rewards by facing difficulties. He just wishes for you to keep your faith strong in Him and earn more rewards. May Allah give us the strength to be patient during hardships! Ameen