Facing Challenges with Fortitude (for the defenders of Islam, tasawwuf and tariqah) A person who strives in the path of Allah will certainly be tested by Allah with all sorts of trials (ibtila’ or fitnah), in accordance with the level of his faith. However, do not ever ask for tests for this is dangerous from the spiritual point of view. One might be tested through opposition, be it verbal or written, in the form of abusive language, sarcasm, mockery, pressure from the government and so on, and one might possibly be tested with opposition in the physical sense, as well as all sorts of calamities upon oneself, one’s wealth, children, spouse and family members. All these tests are sent down by Allah not for the purpose of pressuring, stressing or tormenting him, but to test his sincerity. Syeikh Ibn Ataillah as-Sakandariyy rahimatullah said in his work, the Hikam, “May the pain of calamity be alleviated for you with your knowledge that it is He, Tabaraka wa Ta’ala, Who is testing you.” He also says in the same work, “Your best moments are the ones when you realise your suffering and you are lying down in your helplessness…it is possible that in your difficulty or suffering, you gain a benefit that you do not find in prayer or in fasting.” Sheikh al-‘Arabiyy ad-Darqawiyy rahimatullah said, “There is no doubt that for the Ahlullah, their best moments are during their times of suffering or difficulty, for this is what will help them in their spiritual journeys.” God willing, a person who ceaselessly presents his heart to Allah will possess the tajalli of the Beautiful (Jamal) Attributes of Allah in his moments of ease, and will also possess the tajalli of the Majestic (Jalal) Attributes of Allah in his moments of difficulty and suffering. Sheikh al-‘Arabiyy ad-Darqawiyy rahimatullah said, “The reason why we are sent tests or trials (fitnah) is that there are still veils that cover our hearts from seeing the Countenance of Allah, and the perfection of ni’mat (a specific blessing or bounty) is in our sight of Allah’s Countenance, the Possessor of Greatness and Generosity.” Heed the advice of Sheikh al-‘Arabiyy ad-Darqawiyy so that Allah bestows benefit and mercy upon us: When people show enmity towards you, whether they are from among you or not, do not be preoccupied with yourself, but busy yourself with carrying out the commandments of your Lord; as long as you do not defend yourself, Allah will defend you and look after your affairs. However, if you insist on defending yourself and become too preoccupied (mashghul) with your affairs, then Allah will leave you alone in dealing with your own affairs, when in fact you have no power, for truly, it is Allah Who is All-Powerful over everything. The honourable Sheikh Qasim al-Khasasiyy had said, “Do not pay any heed to those who slander you, but focus your heart upon Allah. Allah will remove the source of your trial from disturbing you, for in fact it is Allah who moves him against you to test your sincerity. But most of mankind are confused about this.” If you pay any heed to those who slander you, then that trial will be prolonged, together with your sin (namely, the sin of being neglectful in mentioning and remembering Allah with all of your soul). Those who leave the path of Allah or who have become uninterested after facing scorn, disparagement, rebuke, and various other trials, are those who lack sincerity in their deeds. O Allah, grant us sincerity! Amin.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 01:42:00 +0000
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