Everyone faces good and bad times during the course of their lives. We can all think of some things that have happened that have made us very happy and others that have brought us tears and sadness. Facing hardships makes a person stronger. With every difficulty, one learns important lessons in patience and endurance. People have the tendency to forget Allah (s.w.t) during the good times and return to Him during difficulties. A Muslim should regard both good times and bad times as a divine test. During good times, Allah (s.w.t) tests us to see if we are grateful for His favors. During bad times, He tests our patience and faithfulness. Allah (s.w.t) says in the Holy Quran:
Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, lives, and fruits (of your toil). But give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere- who say, when afflicted with calamity: To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return-they are those on whom (descend) blessings from their Lord, and Mercy. And they are the ones who receive guidance. (2:155-7).
So, we should always be ready for Allah (s.w.t)'s tests, remembering that He will guide us through the good and the bad times if we stay true to our faith in Him. Rasulullah (saws) is reported to have said about a Mu'min (a true believer) that:
Wondrous are the believer's affairs, for there is good in all his affairs and this is so only for the Mu'min. When something pleasing happens to him, he is grateful (to Allah s.w.t) and that is good for him, and when something displeasing happens to him, he perseveres patiently, and that is good for him. (transmitted by Muslim).
As Rasulullah (saws) points out in this passage, gratitude and patience are the mark of a true Mu'min. When something good happens, their first impulse is to thank Allah (s.w.t) when something unpleasing happens they do not give up hope, nor do they impatiently question Allah (s.w.t). They know that if they maintain their faith and sincerely pray to Allah (s.w.t) for help and guidance, they will be rewarded Insha Allah. The Holy Quran advises us:
O believers be patent and be better than others in patience, and support each other to do right, and be conscious of Allah; that you may succeed (3:200).
Islamic Tahdhib and Akhlaq by Aisha LemuLabels: Islamic Akhlaq