Part 29

In addition, sadness and depression will be relieved when the slaves realize that they have neither the power to avoid whatever has befallen them, nor to bring about what was not destined for them. Allah said;

"No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh AIMahfuz) before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah. In order that you may not grieve at the things over that you fail to get, nor rejoice over that which has been given to you. And Allah likes not prideful

In addition, the anguish caused by the calamity will be relieved when the slaves think deeply about what Allah has bestowed.on them as compared to what they have lost. They will find that whatever they still have of Allah's bounty is much larger, especially since Allah has promised them what is even better than whatever they have lost, providing that they are patient with the calamity. If Allah wills, He could make the calamity even larger and more severe.

The shock of calamities could In addition be soothed by observing other people around him and realizing that wherever one looks he sees a disaster to his right and to his left. If someone searches the entire world, he will see that all of mankind is suffering some type of calamity: either losing a loved one, or from a disaster. He will In addition realize that the joys of this world are just daydreams or passing shadows, and. that even if this earthly life brings a little joy, it In addition brings many tears, and if it brings a comfort for. one day, it can bring about a long term disaster. Further, if this life brings some joy, it can prevent further joy from coming for a long time. In addition, no place of residence will be filled with any type of good. but could soon be filled with lessons and losses. Finally, if this life brings happiness for a day, it can be hiding the evil of the days to come.

Ibn Mas'ud said, "Every joy will be followed by sadness, and no house is filled with joy but will soon be filled with anguish.”

In addition, Ibn Sirin said, "There is not a laugh but a cry to succeed it."

Further, Hind bint An-Nu'man said, "One time, we were some of the most mighty people enjoying the most respected authority. Soon after, when the sun went down, we became the fewest people. It is Allah's promise that He will not fill a house with joy but it will soon be filled with lessons (or sadness)."

Once, a man asked Hind to tell him her story and she said, "One morning, we woke up while none among the Arabs but seeks us in eagerness. When the night fell, all the Arabs felt pity for us.”

Further, her sister Hurqah once cried, at a time when they were mighty. When she was asked about why she cried and if someone had bothered her, she said, "No. T saw that my family was enjoying comforts and remembered that no house is filled with joy but would one day be filled with grief."

Furthermore, Ishaq bin Tallhah said, "I came by her (Hurqah) one day and said to her, "What do you know about the lessons from the stories of the kings?! She said,

"What we enjoy today is better than what we enjoyed yesterday. We read in the books that no people of a house would enjoy a bounty, but would later on be tested with a trial. In addition, time would never show a people a joyous day but would be hiding another day that they would hate."

Curing the shock of disasters and calamities In addition comes through knowing that sadness and grief will not avert the calamity but will intensify it.

In addition, curing grief and anguish comes through knowing that missing the rewards for being patient and content, such as mercy and correct guidance that Allah has promised in return for being patient, is much larger than the calamity itself.

A part of the cure In addition comes through knowing that grief brings comfort to the heart of the enemy, grief to the friends, anger to the Lord, joy to the devil, destruction to the reward and weakness to the heart. On the other hand, when one observes patience and satisfaction, he will expel the devil and defeat his plots, will please the Lord, bring joy to the friends and sadness to the enemy. In this case, the person would say words of condolence to his friends instead of they to him. This, indeed, is the sought after perfection and firmness, unlike striking the cheeks, uttering foul words and being dissatisfied with v-hat Allah has decided.

———. The Prophetic Medicine

Curing grief after disaster strikes a so comes through knowing'that being patient and content would lead to a type of joy, tranquility and comfort that is much greater than what had been lost because of the disaster. In this case, it will be enough of a reward for the patient slave that he will acquire a house of praise that will be built for him in Paradise as a reward for praising his Lord and referring all matters to Him. Let one think about the bigger disaster the one that he had suffered or to lose the rewards that he would have gained in the Residence of

At-Termezey related from the Prophet s& that he said, "On the Day of Resurrection some people would wish that their skins were sliced with scissors in the life of this world because of the reward that they witness the people who endured disasters would receive for being patient.”

Some of the followers of the people of Al-Medina once said, "If it was not for the calamities of this life, we would be bankrupt of rewards on the Day of Resurrection.”

In addition, curing anguish and grief entails feeling content in the heart seeking Allah's rewards, for everything can be replaced, except for Allah's Pleasure. The cure In addition entails knowing that the calamity's effect on one is all what he will gain of it. Those who are

‘content with the calamity will gain contentment, while those who are enraged, will only gain rage. The calamity will affect one as much as he allows it. One should then choose between the best of rewards or the most evil consequences. If one feels rage and disbelief, he will be written in the record of the destroyed ones. If one feels grief and abandons an obligation or commits a prohibition, he will be written in the record of those who neglect their duty. If the calamity caused one to complain and be impatient, he will be written with those who commit injustices against themselves. If one rejects Allah's decision and questions His wisdom, he will have knocked on the door that leads to hypocrisy or will have entered through it. If one is patient and firm for Allah's sake, he will be written among the patient ones. If one feels content, he will be written among the content believers. If one praises and thanks Allah, he will be written with the thankful slaves and will be gathered under the flag of those who praise Allah. If the calamity directed one to feel eager to meet his Lord, he will be written among the sincere persons in their love for Allah.

Ahmad and At-Termezey related that the Prophet b said:

"When Allah loves a people. He tests them with trials. If they are content, then they will achieve contentment. Those who get enraged, will only reap

—— The Prophetic Medicine rage."

Curing grief In addition entails knowing that no matter how much grief one feels he will sooner or later be forced to forego the matter. And then, he will not be rewarded for this forced patience.

A wise man once said, "In the first day when a calamity strikes, the wise person behaves just like the ignorant person behaves days later. Those who do not observe an honorable patience, will soon be forced to forget just as the animals do."

In addition in the Sahih it is related that the Prophet b said:

"Verily, patience is at the stroke of the calamity."

Further, Al-Ash'ath bin Qays said, "Observe patience with Faith and await the reward from Allah Alone. Otherwise, you will be forced to forget just as the animals do."

Among the cures of grief is that the person should know that the most useful remedies for his case are his agreeing with his Lord and God in what He has chosen for him, for the secret that love contains is that those who love agree with the loved one. Those who claim to love then disagree with what the loved one likes and seek what

he dislikes will anger the loved one and will be testifying to the untruthfulness of their claimed love,

Abu Ad-Darda once said, "When Allah decides a matter, He likes that His decision is accepted." In addition, ‘Imran bin Al-Husain used to say when he was ill, "The most beloved to Him is In addition the most beloved to me." Abu Al-Aliyah In addition said similar words. This remedy only works for those who have sincere love for Allah and is not suitable for just any one.

In addition, curing grief includes comparing what is more joyous, beloved and enduring: being content with the calamity or the joy of receiving Allah's reward. When one realizes and acquires the superior option, he should thank Allah for His guidance. If one chooses the lesser of the two, let him know that the affliction that his mind, heart and religion have suffered is more than the affliction he suffered through the disaster.

Curing grief In addition requires knowing that He Who has tested the slave with the affliction is the Most Wise, the Most Merciful, and that He did not test him with the affliction to destroy, punish or overwhelm him. Rather, the affliction is merely a test of his patience, contentment with Allah and faith. In addition Allah wants to hear the slave's pleas, supplications, and humility before Him, seeking refuge with Him, his heart's humbleness before Him and his explaining his grievances

——— The Prophetic Medicine

Shaikh Abdul Qadir said, "My son! The affliction was not meant to destroy you. Rather, it was meant as a test of your patience and faith. My son! Fate is a lion, and lions do not eat carrion." The affliction is just like the “bellows for the believer that rids him of impurities. The believer will either end up being pure gold or pure evil! When the bellows do not benefit the slave in this life, he will be faced with the mightiest bellows, hell. The slave should thus know that his being tested with the bellows of this life is better for him that being tested with the bellows of the next life! In addition, the slave has no other choice but to be tested with one of the two bellows, so let him appreciate Allah's bounty on him by testing him with the bellows of this world.