Words To Live By

So Said Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi (Quddisa Sirruhu) (1207-1273):

When an unexpected disaster descends upon you, get a hold of yourself, do not despair or panic. Be brave and presume good things will follow. Try to consider the possible beneficial outcomes of what has happened to you.

Even though another person may turn pale with fear because of such dire trouble, you need to keep smiling, whether it’s a time for gain or a time for pain. Look carefully. See for yourself why a rose won’t wither or lose its lovely shade even if you pluck its petals one by one.

Do not fret about losing something that has slipped away because Allah has ordained so. Know full well that that which you lost will alleviate a suffering that would be inflicted on you.

Was it due to fate that your troubles found you? Have you suffered a blow in one way or another? Has a new plight befallen you? Think of the kingly rewards that you will attain in the end and wait! Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is such a supreme sultan that when He visits a pain on you, He will follow it with a crown He will place on your hand and a throne He will seat you on. The entire world is not even worth the wing of a mosquito in His sight. He can, for a minor ailment, bestow upon you endless blessings and rewards.

A trouble dispatched to beleaguer you by the greatest of friends is only so to cleanse and purify you. His knowledge and will is above all your measures.

Get your neck out from under the golden yoke of this world. The right way of finding reprieve from your suffering is not to gripe, cry foul, or hurt others. The solution is to forgive, have forbearance, and bestow.

O brother, be prepared! Take heed! Know that virtuous and charitable people are anguished by far more hardships because Allah wants to bring the servants He loves closer to Him.