Islam in Hardship, Prosperity, and Every Stage of Life

Allah the Exalted says in our infallible book, the Holy Qur’an, “This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.” (Al-Maidah, 3)

Islam and iman are the paramount values of our existence. Peace, well-being, and steadfast, continuous adherence to the righteous path in this world, and happiness, life in Jannah and Jamalullah in the afterlife are only attainable through Islam. Allah the Most High will not be pleased by anything other than Islam as a religion and way of life. Every form of belief outside of Islam, every life path that diverges from it is an aberration and leads to inevitable loss.

Islam doesn’t only teach us to worship, perform salah, read and recite the Qur’an or make dhikr; it teaches us life as a whole and the way to maintain istiqamah.

Human beings are constantly in motion and subject to change. Change and motion surround every moment of our lives; people wake up in the morning, perform salah, go to work, take care of house chores, send children to school, do their shopping, return home, have dinner, and go to sleep. In short, everyone has a routine, a cycle they maintain. Islam doesn’t regulate and organize only a limited fraction of this cycle but the whole of it, in every moment and under all circumstances. It establishes a perfect order in every action a human being can be involved in and imparts its flawless discipline as the principal method of directing human behavior towards constant betterment.

Islam regulates every aspect of life: the way one needs to sleep, how and what one can eat, what one needs to protect oneself from, what one can speak and should not speak, how one should earn a living, what one can wear, what one can get their hands on to possess or use, where one can enter or travel and the overall modality of life choices, no matter what their scale is. Building one’s life based on Islam’s methods and manners enriches one’s life with a level of nobility only it can confer. The religion of Islam has rules, commands, and suggestions regarding almost every subject from comporting ourselves properly to training and disciplining children, from our moments of joy to times of sorrow.

As a consequence of this, someone who has developed an Islam-centric life knows what to do and what to avoid in every situation. They never lose their way, go off the rails, cross the line, or be given to desperation. Islam is a constant guide and a source of betterment and consolation.

All possible scenarios that the flow of life can present us with can be categorized under two states: One is either favored with blessings and happiness or troubled by trials, distressing situations, sorrow, and pain. A person who is disciplined by and taught the way of Islam knows what to do and how to avoid pitfalls in either state. This perspicacious awareness exists only in Muslims. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) informs us of the blessings of possessing such an awareness:

“How wonderful the affair of the believer is! Indeed, all of his affairs are good for him. This is for no one but the believer. If something good happens to him, he is grateful to Allah, which is good for him. And if something bad happens to him, he has patience which is good for him.” (Muslim, Zuhd, 64)

A Muslim’s faith in, reliance on, and submission to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) keeps them on the straight path Islam highly commends. This characteristic enables them to maintain a patient and grateful outlook in any situation. They live according to the will and rida of Allah, do not violate the boundaries of divine commandments, and avoid actions that contradict the commands of Allah and displease Him. Thus, they come away with a good outcome that benefits them whether it is a joyful occasion or a moment of hardship and distress.

The earthquake we recently experienced struck many provinces in Turkey and Syria and left a deep wound in our hearts. The state and the people came together in a united front to heal the scars of the earthquake. Our brothers and sisters from within the country and abroad, many who possessed a profound humane and conscientious sensitivity, mobilized with all their means and capabilities—either individually or through aid and relief foundations—and made haste to the affected regions to render assistance. Everyone from every walk of life and age group took immediate action to provide aid and relief in any way they could. There was none among us who didn’t feel troubled and saddened by this disaster or made an effort to relieve the victims’ pain in some way. Our children who sent their toys and allowances, our grandmothers who donated their quilts and blankets, our brothers who sent their wages especially when they needed it themselves—we all rallied as an ummah to alleviate the suffering and shoulder the burden together.

Our noble people showed the whole world how they rushed to everyone’s aid, how their hearts beat together, and how they grieved for the losses others endured, regardless of religion, language, or race. This disaster also led to an acceptable testimony in the presence of Allah. We have all witnessed the sincere, selfless effort put forth for the sake of Allah (jalla jalaluhu). The whole world witnessed this manifestation of solidarity in its purest form. The angels set down what was done, and it was engraved in the collective memory of the world.

We have also witnessed how resilient, calm, patient, and dignified those who lost their relatives, loved ones, homes, and workplaces affected by the earthquake acted despite great pain. The steadfast, composed, mature behaviors and words of our people, our children who carry hearts that are too big, brave, and undaunted for their little frames and were pulled out from under the rubble days later, inspired a sense of admiration in all of us.

The selflessness and readiness our nation displayed in providing help to the needy and the patience and submission those who have suffered from the disaster have shown in the face of this daunting trial are due to the spiritual values imprinted on them through their iman and incorporated into their lives by Islam. This is because Islam taught us how to maintain our fortitude and patience, strengthen our faith in Allah, and keep relying on Him when afflicted by a calamity. It also showed us how to be there for others in their time of need, stand with them, and ease their pain.

We have all seen the work that our ancestors did, and the facilities they constructed to elevate people to better, higher standards and serve them in every borough, town, and city they could reach from the Balkans to the far reaches of Asia. They touched their hearts and lives with their soup kitchens, hospitals, fountains, baths, bridges, and alms stones. They also established foundations so that these services would continue uninterrupted for generations to come.

Islam commands and advises us to mingle with people, serve them, and move out at once to come to the aid of those in need. It does not approve of separating from the public, especially in times of need, and retreating to seclusion in order to escape from the troubles and difficulties such ordeals will cause. Our Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) advised us to go among the people, to be patient with their persecution, and avoid stepping aside, not getting involved in anything, and taking an unconcerned attitude. (Ibn Majah, Fitan 23, Nr.4032) He also stated that Allah will help those who relieve people's troubles, worry about and solve their problems, and ease their pain. (Bukhari, Mazalim, 3; Muslim, Birr, 58)

May Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) protect our country and nation from all forms of disasters, catastrophes, and afflictions. May He raise the spirits of those who lost their lives under collapsed buildings to martyrdom. May He grant the grieving families patience and resilience to endure, and bestow upon our state and nation the strength needed to make it through these trying times. May He grant swift healing to those injured and may He reward generously those who strive day and night to save the victims, and lessen their suffering as well as the volunteers who moved to take action and bring relief to the affected region and people wherever and whenever they could.

With His tawfiq and inayah.

Sheikh Sayyid M. Mübarek Elhüseyni