From the series: ‘Reflections from Tarim’

Today is one of those days…

SubḥānAllāh I’m always amazed at the different circumstances we go through as human beings. We experience times of ease and times of difficulty. Times of sadness and times of joy. Times of sickness and times of health. Times of availability and times of preoccupation. Times of strength and times of powerlessness. Times of fear and times of hope. And the list goes on…

As I reflect on my own life and I’m sure we can all agree on these universal experiences. I realise that when I am healthy, with no sickness, I have so much energy and an uplifted mood. I try to stay as productive as I can (with occasional laziness in-between probably more often than I’d like🙈). The point is: with health, I’m at my best self. I’m able to do more, think clearly, and show up fully.

Yet, these blessings often go unrecognised in those very moments. I receive them as though they are mine by right, a subtle sense of entitlement. May Allah forgive me for this hidden heedlessness and arrogance. Āmīn.

Even during tests, Allah is kind to us. He allows us to come out the other side, and He places ease within the hardship itself. We are never entirely submerged in suffering, no matter how heavy things may feel. There is always a softness, a relief, a divine ease that accompanies every hardship. Alḥamdulillāh. This is from the generosity of Allah.

However, this ease is something we must actively look for. The ‘Self’ tends to wallow, leaning into a victim mindset. While we search for the light at the end of the tunnel, we must not forget the light within the tunnel which is the light that accompanies the test itself. Allah will show it to us if we look inward instead of becoming consumed by the test.

We must remind ourselves of the promises of Allah when the test intensifies. Remember what Allah says:

“Indeed, with hardship comes ease.”
(Qur’an 94:6)

And the words of the Prophet ﷺ:

“No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a believer even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn except that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5641; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2573)

And also:

“Indeed, the people who are tested the most are the prophets, then those nearest to them, then those nearest to them.”
(Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī 2398)

Everything eventually comes to an end even our tests. Nothing in this world is permanent except the eternal rewards of Allah, which are everlasting.

I reflect on our forgetfulness, and I realise that sometimes our minor illnesses are reminders to appreciate our blessings more deeply. We walk with our health proudly, often forgetting that we did not earn it. It was simply gifted.

Tests are invitations to look within and uncover a misunderstanding or a deeply held belief that needs correcting. These truths often surface during hardship; when life is easy and joyful, we live in noise. Tests bring silence, and in silence, reflection becomes possible. No matter how big or small the trial, try to look beyond the physical events and accept the divine invitation to purification and inner correction.

Tests also reveal our dependence on Allah alone. No one can lift us from difficulty except the One who placed us in it with wisdom and mercy. And even when someone appears to help, it is only because Allah enabled them to do so.

Have you ever whispered something deeply almost silently and seen it answered in a way you never imagined possible? A need fulfilled that felt unreachable?

Do not belittle that moment. Receive it with wonder and love. It is a message from the One who loves you. He is closer to you than you can ever comprehend. He hears your unspoken words and fulfils them out of His tenderness.

And we end with this powerful reminder from Allah:

“O mankind, what has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Most Generous?”
(Qur’an 82:6)

Until next time…

Peace be upon you.