By Asma bint Shameem
Allaah Almighty is All-Knowing and All-Wise.
He is also the Most Compassionate, and Most Merciful, without doubt.
Yet, in His Ultimate Wisdom, Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala afflicts us from time to time with disasters and calamities, the reasons for which cannot, fully, be comprehended by our feeble minds.
And it is not befitting any of us that we question Him in any way.
"He cannot be questioned for His acts, but they will be questioned (for theirs)".
However, some of the reasons may be as follows.
1) Allaah is TESTING our Faith:
Through calamities, Allaah tests us to see how we behave.
Are we patient or are we complaining?
Are we steadfast in our Deen or do we stray away?
Allaah asks us:
“Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: ‘We believe,’ and will not be tested. And We indeed tested those who were before them.”
[al-‘Ankaboot:2]
And He says:
“Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you?
They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, ‘When (will come) the Help of Allaah?’ Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allaah is near!”
[al-Baqarah:214]
2) Through Calamities Allaah FORGIVES our sins and RAISES our ranks:
If we are *patient* through calamities, Allaah will erase our sins and elevate our ranks
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
“There is nothing that befalls a believer, not even a thorn that pricks him, but Allaah will record one good deed for him and will remove one bad deed from him.” (Muslim).
Also, he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
“Trials will continue to befall the believing man and woman, with regard to themselves, their children and their wealth, until they meet Allaah with no sin on them.”
(Tirmidhi- Saheeh)
3) Through calamities Allaah DISTINGUISHES between people:
By testing us, Allaah FILTERS the pure from the evil, the good from the bad, the true from the false, the believer from the hypocrite.
He knows it already.
But He makes clear this distinction so that WE can see it for ourselves.
And we have no excuse.
Allaah said:
“Allaah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now, until He distinguishes the wicked from the good” [Aal ‘Imraan:179]
And He said:
“And Allaah will certainly make known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allaah knows all that before putting them to test)” [al-‘Ankaboot:3]
4) Through Calamities Allaah WARNS us…REMINDS us so we may return to Him:
One of the BIGGEST reasons why behind calamities and trials, that Allaah warns us to correct our mistakes and mend our ways.
If we do so, it is good only for us. If we don’t pay heed, surely, only WE are the losers.
Allaah says:
“Verily, We sent (Messengers) to many nations before you (O Muhammad).
And We seized them with extreme poverty and loss in health (with calamities) so that they might humble themselves (believe with humility).”
[‘An’aam :42]
And He said:
“See they not that they are put in trial once or twice every year (with different kinds of calamities, disease, famine)?
Yet, they turn not in repentance, nor do they learn a lesson (from it)”
[al-Tawbah:126]
5) Calamities, diseases and disasters appear because of our SINS:
Allaah tells us:
“And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much” [al-Shoora:30]
6) Disasters and calamities are a means of punishment:
Allaah warns us:
“And indeed, We destroyed generations before you when they did wrong, while their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, but they were not such as to believe! Thus do We requite the people who are Mujrimoon (criminals)” [Yoonus:13]
7) If one is patient, calamities are a means of great reward in the Hereafter:
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
“On the Day of Resurrection, when people who had suffered affliction are given their reward, those who were healthy will wish their skins had been cut to pieces with scissors when they were in the world (when they see the great REWARD for suffering)”
(at-Tirmidhi- Saheeh)
7) Disasters and calamities are REMINDERS that the world is only *temporary*:
If we didn’t have calamities and tribulations, we would be lost in dunya and forget about the Aakhirah.
But calamities wake us up from this sleep and remind us that this dunya is only temporary.
And the REAL life is the life of the Hereafter.
8) Calamities and trials remind us that we are SO WEAK:
Problems and disasters clearly demonstrate how WEAK we are.
How one little tiny organism that is not even visible to the naked eye can bring the whole world to its knees is amazing...
It just shows how much we NEED Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala and how much we DEPEND on Him for our very survival.
How can we succeed unless Allaah has mercy on us?
How can we then, not turn to Allaah and beg Him for His Benevolence and Mercy?
9) Worship during calamities is special
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
“Worshipping at times of tribulation and confusion is like migrating to join me.” (Muslim)
10) Calamities make us *appreciate* our blessings
If we always get whatever we need and want, we would FORGET that it’s only Allaah that blesses us; that it’s only through His Generosity that we have received anything and everything in our possession.
So when Allaah takes away some of those things that we took for granted, hard times and calamities make us APPRECIATE those blessings so that we can turn to Allaah in gratitude.
11) When Muslims help those who have been afflicted by problems and calamities, they will be rewarded for that.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
“The likeness of the believers in their mutual love, mercy and compassion is that of the body; when one part of it suffers, the rest of the body joins it in staying awake and suffering fever.”
(al-Bukhaari, Muslim)
And Allaah knows best.
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