5 Reasons for Suffering & Hardship

Why is it so? Why can't we see it? It is because of our limitations. It is because we are not able to sometimes fathom and look at the bigger picture, that Allah, Tabaraka wa Ta'ala, is presenting for you and I. And that is why we are invited to re-examine our thinking of why hardship and difficulties happen.

Number 1, our scholars from the narrations of the Ahlul Bayt (as) have posed the following reasons. They have said one of the ideas that emerges as to why sometimes we see these difficulties that are hard to swallow is that so that we can become thankful about the things that we have, if we don't see these hardships, we can never appreciate what Allah, Subhana wa Ta'ala, has given us.

It's an invitation to express gratitude and shukr. When I see somebody losing their life or in a disabled state or losing their wealth and I have it, that is the moment to say Alhamdulillah. We must be people of Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah has to be one of our most powerful shi'aar, one of our most powerful slogans, whatever happens, Alhamdulillah. No doubt.

Number 2, it could be as a result of our own actions, the Quran says: "Dhaharal fasaadu fil barri wal bahri bimaa kasabat iydi an-naas "(30:41), corruption and evil sometimes occurs due to the actions of the human beings. Today we see, for example, global warming. Today, we see because sometimes due to our own sins, these occurrences may be happening and Allah(swt) knows best.

Sometimes these difficulties occur because they are a means of purification in this world before akhira, because it is better that we see them and we feel them here, then we will be punished for our sins in the hereafter. It is out of Allah's mercy that this is occurring in this particular existence, no doubt.

Sometimes it is to humble us. The Holy Prophet, Al-Rasul Al-Adhm Muhammad, sallal-lahu alayhi wa alihi wa sallam [Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'aali Muhammad], he says, "lawla thalath", If it was not for three things, human beings will never bow their heads in humility, "al-maradh, al-fakr, wa al-mawt", sickness, poverty and death. He says if it was not for these three things, human beings will think they are on top of the world. These things are there to make us understand that we are nothing and that one small virus can bring us down. No doubt, isn't it?

Now sometimes Allah, Tabaraka wa Ta'ala, takes things away from us, but wants us to be reassured that there is spite and strength and what He can give us is round the corner. We have to wait for it, ask for it, pray for it and anticipate it. Let me give you an example of one of the Ulama gives and he says what. He says, once I was driving and I came across a traffic light and it was in Iran when I came across a traffic light, you have people who, of course, clean the windscreens and of course, they want some payment or they sell you things, isn't it?

So he said somebody came and was presenting me, wanting to sell me what I thought was some flowers. So he was knocking on the window and I was wearing my imamah my turban so it was embarrassing for me to push him away. But I did not look at him. But I was begging and hoping that the light turns into green so that I could drive and I do not have to buy these flowers that he's trying to sell me.

Eventually this light was taking ages and therefore I was forced to what, lower the side window. And I looked at him and he smiled and said, Moulana Sheikhuna I am not selling you the flowers, I am gifting you the flowers. He said I was melting inside from embarrassment. I took the flowers and I went home and then I reflected and I pondered. You know how many times Allah sends messages and signals? But we ignore these signals.

But some of the Ulama and other righteous individuals, everything that happens in their life is a sign that maybe it is a message from Allah, Tabaraka wa Ta'ala. The message does not have to come through the phone or WhatsApp. The message is through our daily occurrence. He said, I thought to myself, how many times has Allah, Subhana wa Ta'ala, given me things and saying to me, I am not forcing this on you, I am gifting it on you? How many times have these occurrences that I see that are happening to me, I see them as evil, but they're actually good?

There is a term that some of the mistiks and Urafah give to this, it's known as "Al-Taf ul-jaliyah" and "Al-Taf ul-Khafiyah". Al-Taf ul-Jaliyah means what, what Allah Subhana Ta'ala gives us, which is apparent health and wealth and security. This is all blessings that are visible and clear. So they say, no, there are some visible, non visible gifts from Allah, Subhana wa Ta'ala, and blessings which are what? Which are hidden. We do not see.

How many times we have given this parable a multitude of a teabag, you've heard of it? If somebody gives you a teabag, just a fresh tea bag and asks you what kind of tea does it produce? Is it green tea, black tea, Iraqi tea, well Iraqi tea is sugar with a bit of tea in it. But what kind of what kind of tea does it produce? You say, I do not know. There's no label on it. What is the only thing that you can do to actually see what kind of tea it produces? To put it in hot water, yes?

Allah Subhana wa Ta'ala puts you and I in hot water so that we see our weaknesses and strengths. He puts us in these difficulties, He knows, and He will never burden us with much more than that we can withstand, but sometimes we can use it as a springboard to become better - as a springboard.

And this is where people miss the point! And unfortunately, the opportunity is what? Is missed by them, where when they are hit with something, they turn away from Allah, whereas it is an opportunity to return back to Allah, Subhana wa Ta'ala. It is an opportunity to become better human beings and move further, closer towards His pleasure and Ridha. That is why in Du'a Kumayl, what do we recite? Ya Sari' al-Ridha! Ya Allah you are quick in being pleased with us, isn't it?