By Sheikh Husein ibn Abdul-Aziz al-Sheikh
Sheikh Husein ibn Abdul-Aziz al-Sheikh, may Allah preserve him, delivered the Friday Khutbah entitled, “Ways of Overcoming Grief and Distress,” in which he talked about grief and distress as well as the calamities that may befall Muslim individuals and the Muslim Ummah as a whole. He also highlighted how to overcome them and the means that a Muslim should use to achieve this.
Praise be to Allah, with Whom alone we take refuge in times of hardship and adversity. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, Who has no partners, and to Whom belong the keys of the heavens and the earth. I also bear witness that our master and prophet, Muhammad, is His servant and messenger, and the best of all His creation. May Allah bestow His peace and blessings upon him and upon his family and Companions till the Day of Judgement.
Now then, O Muslims! I advise you and advise myself to fear Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him. For it is through the fear of Allah that He will make a way for us to get out from every difficulty and give us relief from every form of distress.
O Muslims! People are stricken by afflictions and adversities, and the Ummah undergoes moments of grief and severe trials. Such is the worldly life; it is a mixture of ease and difficulty, prosperity and adversity. However, every Muslim knows for certain that there is great good and much reward for him in all his conditions. Our Lord, Majesty and Glory be to Him, says:
"And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirun (the patient), Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: “Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return. They are those on whom are the Salawat (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who receive His) Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones." (Al-Baqarah: 155-157)
Comforting his Ummah, our master and prophet, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “How wonderful the case of a believer is! There is good for him in everything and this applies only to a believer. If prosperity attends him, he thanks Allah and that is good for him; and if adversity befalls him, he endures it patiently and that is good for him” (Reported by Muslim).
One of the fundamentals of faith, the truths of the Qur’an, and the glad tidings that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, gave to his followers, is that the good outcome will be for the believers – the people of true monotheism, obedience, and benevolence. Our Lord, Majesty and Glory be to Him, says:
"Verily, along with every hardship is relief. Verily, along with every hardship is relief (i.e. there is one hardship with two reliefs, so one hardship cannot overcome two reliefs)." (Ash-Sharh: 5-6)
Indeed, one hardship will never outbalance twofold relief. No believing servant is affected by distress but Allah will reward him with a way out and with relief of his distress, and will encompass him with His mercy; for Allah is the Majestic and the Most Subtle and Courteous. Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him, says:
"And (remember) Dhun-Nun (Jonah), when he went off in anger, and imagined that We shall not punish him (i.e. the calamities which had befallen him)! But he cried through the darkness (saying): “La ilaha illa Anta (none has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah)), Glorified (and Exalted) are You (above all that (evil) they associate with You). Truly, I have been of the wrong-doers.” So We answered his call, and delivered him from the distress. And thus We do deliver the believers (who believe in the Oneness of Allah, abstain from evil and work righteousness)." (Al-Anbiya’: 87-88)
O Believers! Know that there is ease after hardship and that there is relief after distress. Our Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, who did not speak out of his own desires, said, “Know that victory comes with patience, that there is relief along with distress, and that there is ease along with every hardship.” Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Whatever hardship befalls someone, Allah will grant him relief, and one hardship will never overcome twofold relief.”
Indeed, this is one of the tenets of faith for the believers who truly trust in their Lord and devote themselves to Him, and who are humble and submissive to their Creator. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Ask Allah for His bounty. For Allah loves to be asked, and the best of worship is awaiting relief from Allah” (Reported by at-Tirmidhi). It was in this way that the students of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, i.e. his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, lived in this worldly life.
One of the major causes of relief and ease is to return to Allah, Glorified be He, in sincere repentance, showing humility, submissiveness, and obedience to Him, and trying to draw nearer to Him. Our Lord, Majesty and Glory be to Him, says:
"And We sent no Prophet to any town (and they denied him), but We seized its people with suffering from extreme poverty (or loss in wealth) and loss of health and calamities, so that they might humiliate themselves (and repent to Allah)." (Al-A‘raf: 94)
Turning to Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him, having keenness to do whatever is pleasing to Him and show obedience to Him, and keeping away from all that displeases Him and all that He has forbidden, represent the solid foundation for getting over crises and attaining deliverance from hardships in this life and after death. Our Lord, Majesty and Glory be to Him, says:
"... And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty)." (At-Talaq: 2)
He also says: "... and whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him." (At-Talaq: 4)
Therefore, Muslims, individuals or groups, as well as the whole Muslim Ummah, should have good hope in their Lord in times of ease and in times of adversity, and during disasters and afflictions. Allah protects whoever flees to Him, provides refuge to whoever seeks refuge in Him, and provides relief to whoever asks Him to relieve his distress and hardship. One of the righteous believers said, “Whenever you are stricken by an adversity, have good hope in Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him, as a means to remove it, for this is your nearest way to relief.”
The source of security and deliverance in times of distress, adversity, and fear is not to be sought in the means devised by man. Rather, security and deliverance lie in worshipping Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him, holding on to the tenets of true faith, adhering to the Two Revelations, the Qur’an and the Sunnah, and acting on their teachings. One of the ways of Allah regarding His servants is to inflict adversities on them so that they may turn to Him in repentance. Allah, Exalted be He, says:
"And (He did forgive also) the three [who did not join the Tabuk expedition whose case was deferred (by the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him)] (for Allah’s Decision) till for them the earth, vast as it is, was straitened and their ownselves were straitened to them, and they perceived that there is no fleeing from Allah, and no refuge but with Him. Then, He forgave them (accepted their repentance), that they might beg for His pardon [repent (unto Him)] …" (At-Taubah: 118)
Allah, Exalted be He, also says: "And verily, We will make them taste of the near torment (i.e. the torment in the life of this world, i.e. disasters, calamities, etc.) prior to the supreme torment (in the Hereafter), in order that they may (repent and) return (i.e. accept Islam)." (As-Sajdah: 21)
Abdullah ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, said in his comment on this verse, “The ‘near torment’ refers to the calamities, pains, and afflictions in the life of this world, as well as all the trials with which Allah tests His servants so that they may repent o Him.” Indeed, if we read the Book of our Lord in the way the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, used to read it, Allah would make our life entirely different.
O Muslims! Your Ummah is going through great adversities and calamities, and there is no way to remove or repel them, even if people may think otherwise, except through returning to the right path, setting right our condition by adhering to Islam and following its teachings, and reforming Muslims’ life and Muslim communities with what they hope for and aspire to, that is, with Islam and with the guidance of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him, says:
"... And We tried them with good (blessings) and evil (calamities) in order that they might turn (to Allah’s Obedience)." (Al-A‘raf: 168)
If the Ummah does not treat its despicable condition now, according to the principles of Islam and in the light of its constitution (the Qur’an and the Sunnah), when then will it return to the right path and set right its condition?
O Muslim people!Turn to Allah in sincere repentance and honestly reconsider your current position so that you may eradicate all the breaches in your faith that exist in your lives. Purify your life from all that disagrees with your Lord’s Law, and answer the call of your Lord when He calls on you:
"Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) to be affected by Allah’s Reminder (this Qur’an), and that which has been revealed of the truth ..." (Al-Hadid: 16)
When Muslims, the rulers and the ruled alike, achieve this in all aspects of life, their condition will change to prosperity, glory, and righteousness. When the people of Yunus (Prophet Jonah) saw the means of torment encircling them, they implored Allah and appealed for His help, showing humility and submissiveness to Him. Allah says about them:
"Was there any town (community) that believed (after seeing the punishment), and its Faith (at that moment) saved it (from the punishment)? (The answer is none) – except the people of Yunus (Jonah); when they believed, We removed from them the torment of disgrace in the life of the (present) world, and permitted them to enjoy for a while." (Yunus: 98)
O fellow Muslims! In many countries that are known to you, Muslims are living in distress and adversity, suffering the woes of disasters and enmities. As Muslims are surrounded on all sides by various causes of danger, there is no way out for them except by showing submission to Allah alone, obeying His commands, and truthfully returning to His religion:
"And indeed We seized them with punishment, but they humbled not themselves to their Lord, nor did they invoke (Allah) with submission to Him." (Al-Mu’minun: 76)
Commenting on the instructions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to his Companions to engage in invoking Allah, reciting the takbir (saying “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest)), performing voluntary prayers, and giving in charity during an eclipse, Ibn Daqiq Al-‘Eid said, “This hadith provides evidence that it is recommended for a Muslim to give in charity when struck with fear in order to ward off affliction and dangers.”
Whenever the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was distressed by anything, he would resort to voluntary prayers. Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him, says: "And seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayers) …" (Al-Baqarah: 45)
One of the immutable laws of Allah, the All-Strong and the All-Powerful, and one of His promises which He will certainly fulfil, is that when distress heightens and intensifies, relief will always come, as long as people are attached to Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him, devote themselves to Him, and earnestly beseech Him. Incidents in the life of Muslims testifying to this fact in the past and the present, at the level of individuals, societies, and states, are too many to count. Allah, Exalted be He, says:
"Say (O Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)): “Allah rescues you from it and from all (other) distresses ..." (Al-An‘am: 64)
Brothers in Islam!
One of the most efficient means to remove distress and relieve agony is to remember Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him, continuously, ensuring that both the tongue and the heart engage in this act. Allah, Exalted be He, says: "Indeed, We know that your breast is straitened at what they say. So glorify the praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him). And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty." (Al-Hijr: 97-99)
He also says: "... Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest." (Ar-Ra‘d: 28)
The best form of remembering Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him, is to read His Book with deep concentration, trying to reflect on its verses and comprehend its meanings. Among the means of bringing about Allah’s bounties and averting His punishment is to frequently seek His forgiveness with the tongue and display humility to Him. The Qur’anic verses and the Prophet’s hadiths to this effect are numerous.
"... nor will He punish them while they seek (Allah’s) Forgiveness." (Al-Anfal: 33)
If the servant regularly asks Allah to bestow His peace and blessings upon the Chosen Prophet, Muhammad, may Allah’s best peace and blessings be upon him, Allah will grant him relief from every worry and a way out from every hardship, and will provide him with bounties that he has never imagined. How will it be then if one follows the Prophet’s Sunnah, guidance, and practice?
O you who have suffered some form of anguish or grief, and are pained by distressing afflictions! Beseech your Lord, surrender your will to Him, devote yourself completely to Him, and entrust all your affairs to Him, Glorified be He! For He is the Only One Who can improve your condition and Whose Hands hold the reigns of all things. He is the All-Strong, the Most Great, and the Most High. He is the One Who can turn an enemy into a friend and a friend into an enemy, and the One Who can turn adversity into prosperity, and prosperity into affluence.
Abu Musa Al-Ash‘ari, may Allah be pleased with him, said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, once said to me, “O Abdullah! Shall I not guide you to one of the treasures of Paradise?” I said, “Please do, O Messenger of Allah!” He said, “Say: La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (There is no might nor power except with Allah). For it is one of the treasures of Paradise.” (Agreed upon)
Commenting on this hadith, Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taimiyah, may Allah have mercy on his soul, said, “With this statement, burdens are removed, horrors are endured, and the best of conditions are attained.” His student, Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on his soul, also said, “This statement has an amazing effect when carrying out difficult jobs, enduring hardships, visiting kings, and confronting horrors.” Therefore, recite it and do so frequently with both your tongues and hearts, and live up to its dictates in reality.
May Allah relieve our distress and the distress of all Muslims, and may He alleviate our afflictions and the afflictions of all believers.
I have said this, and I ask forgiveness of Allah for myself, for you, and for all Muslims, for any sin we have committed. Ask Allah for forgiveness. He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
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