THE 4 LEVELS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AFFLICTED BY TRIALS The First Level: Being angry, and this is in various ways: and anger is of two types. The first type of anger is that which is directed toward his Lord. So he becomes angry at what Allah has decreed for him, and this is Haraam (forbidden). And it is possible that this could lead to kufr. Allah said: “And among mankind is he who worships Allah upon the very edge (i.e. in doubt); if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him, he turns back on his face (i.e. Reverts back to disbelief after embracing Islam). He loses both this world and the Hereafter. That is the evident loss.” (22:11) The second type of anger is expressed by the tongue like making du’aa for destruction or ruin and what is similar to that, and this is Haraam. The third type of anger is expressed by the limbs like slapping the cheeks, ripping clothing, pulling out hair, and similar to that, and all of this is Haraam and in contradiction to patience which is Waajib. The Second Level: Being patient, just as in the saying: Patience is like its name – bitter in taste, yet its outcomes are sweeter than honey. The person at this level feels the affliction to weighs very heavy upon him, yet he bears it although he dislikes that it happened. Rather, his Eemaan bears it and restrains him from being angry. So the time of affliction and the time of no affliction is not the same to him, and this (level) is Waajib, because Allah commanded the people to be patient, saying: “And be patient, indeed Allah is with the patient ones.” (8:46) The Third Level: Being pleased with the affliction in that the person is pleased with the affliction and whether it happened or not, it is the same to him so he it is not difficult upon him. He does not bear it as if it is something weighing heavy on him, and this (level) is Mustahabb (preferred) and it is not Waajib according to the most correct opinion. The difference between this level and the one before it is apparent because the affliction happening or not happening is the same due to the pleasure of the one on this level. As for the level before it, the affliction is hard upon him, yet he remains patient over it. The Fourth Level: Thankfulness and being grateful and this is the highest level. This is that the person thanks Allah for the affliction which has struck him in that he knows that this affliction is expiation for his sins and perhaps a cause for an increase in his good deeds. The Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “There is no affliction which strikes the Muslim except that Allah expiates with it (sins), even with a thorn that may poke him.” (Bukhaaree & Muslim) O Allah, make us from those who have patience upon hardships and those who are thankful upon Your blessings. Aameen...
Posted on: Tue, 03 Sep 2013 05:40:32 +0000