Pearls of Wisdom

bismillah
asalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,

Allah ta’ala says in Surah Al-Baqarah ayat 155-156:
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الأَمْوَالِ وَالأنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ
الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُواْ إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ

Interpretation of meaning: And we shall surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, Who, when disaster strikes them, say, “Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return”

These ayaat are very beautiful and we learn that we will all be tested in this life, each person in their own individual way; one person’s test could be different that anothers.

Let’s look specifically at the word “museebah” the root word is from the letters, saad wow ba, or saub…and you won’t believe what it means subhanAllah…the arabs used the word “saub” to refer to when the arrow hits its target. ie, it was intentional, deliberate and not by chance. What does this have to do with a disaster striking us? SubhanAllah, a museebah will reach its target; when what was written for us will come to us, it was meant to happen. Allah’s Decree WILL come to pass. So instead of compailing and sulking, “WHY ME?!”, remember this ayah next time a test comes your way…the arrow is merely hitting its target.

Then Allah azza wa jal says, “wa bashir as-Sabireen” and give good tidings to the Patience. “bashir” means to cause a reaction on the face, so these patient ones (may Allah make us among them) they will be grinning from ear to ear when they get these glad tidings…what is the good news? Al-Jannah, they get Jannah in return for their patience.

And what do the patient say when a museebah hits them? “inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’oon”, Indeed to Allah we belong and indeed to Him we shall return. Why specifically this statement? b/c it means they are remembering Allah and accepting what has happened–because they know this life is a test. Saying the first part, “inna lillah” Indeed we belong to Allah’ shows that He is the One who has tested us and He owns us, and everything else. and “wa inna ilayhi raji’oon” and indeed to Him we will return’ shows that the one can expect reward for their patience–meaning to remind oneself that to Allah and His reward or punishment is our final destination. And saying this statement protects the reward of being patient.

If someone says this duaa:
Supplication for one afflicted by a calamity

‘To Allaah we belong and unto Him is our return. O Allaah, recompense me for my affliction and replace it for me with something better.’

Allah ta’ala will grant you something better than what you lost if He wills. Remember the story of Umm Salamah radi Allahu anha, she said this duaa when her husband, Abu Salamah, died–thinking, “who could be better than him??” and Allah ta’ala blessed her to be our mother, a wife of the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam. So do not despair with what you are afflicted with, the arrow will hit its target, and the one who granted Umm Salamah this blessed position can grant you something better than what you are going through. Allah azza wa jal will reward you if you show patience (remember, at the first stroke of calamity). may Allah azza wa jal pour on us patience and make us among the mutaqeen. ameen

walhamdulillahi Rabbil alamin.

asalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.

Courtesy sr. Yusra