Dealing with Tests

The imam began today’s reminder with the second and third ayat from Sura Al-Insan which is translated to say:

Indeed, We created man from a sperm-drop mixture1 that We may try him; and We made him hearing and seeing. Indeed, We guided him to the way, be he grateful or be he ungrateful.

Dear brothers, be under no illusion, this life is a test for each and every one of us. That is not to say that we will not get some enjoyment from this life or that there will no happiness in this life. But it is to say that the purpose of this life isn’t to just live mindlessly and without thought. Our actions are accountable and there will come a time where each thing we said and did will be measured and laid out before us.

But the reminder this week is about how we deal with tests. The imam reminded us of the hadith of the Prophet SAWS which is translated to say:

‘Whoever has forbearance, Allah will help him. Whoever tries to be independent, Allah will enrich him. Whoever tries to be patient, Allah will give him patience, and no one is given a better or vaster gift than patience.” 

And so, dear brothers, there are 3 practical lessons we can apply to our everyday living so that we are able to succeed in this life and cope with the tests we are given. They are as follows:

1. To understand the test is for your patience and perseverance. From Sura Al-Asr to many other points in Quran and Hadith, the theme is the same. We are tested on how well we demonstrate our patience and perseverance. Even scientists today say that success in the best at their fields comes not from natural-born talent, but in fact from the ability to persevere with patience. This is both for our success in this life and in the next and so we apply grit to our everyday living.
2. We react with positivity. From the moment we acknowledge the test to the moment we feel ease from it, we do not succumb to complaints, to anger, panic or jealousy over others who may not have that test, we react with positivity, knowing that this test will result in great reward in a life that is everlasting and infinite and we have full faith in Allah SWT in that the life lessons we get given are for our benefit, even if we don’t full understand it.
3. We appreciate the good times and be grateful for the blessings that we are able to register. And in fact, the number of blessings we do have is much more than we even give thanks for. Just the ability to listen, to walk here, to breathe, to eat and to think rationally, are all gifts we seldom give thanks for but are always there for us. We need to look to the Quran and ponder over the lessons given to those who came before us. Tests given to the Prophets and Messengers that were amongst the best of our species and of course, tests that our beloved Prophet SAWS endured in his time in this world.

Dear brothers, this world is not even a drop in the ocean of the life that awaits us. And this life is not Jannat but is the path to Jannat insh’Allah. Nothing comes for free is the saying in this country and the same is true of our reward. And so, as Muslims we keep this thought alive in our minds at all times and acknowledge that we will have tests in this life but to keep patience and steadfast in the hope that we will be rewarded for it when we return back to our Creator.

May Allah SWT make us of the people with patience, may Allah SWT make us of the people with perseverance and may Allah SWT enable us to pass all the tests and tribulations of this short life we are given.