and sometimes on new mischiefs. The path to Islam and preaching of Islam are especially the paths in which one faces trials every step. It differentiates the obedient with the disobedient, true devotees with those who only claim to be devotees.

Sayyiduna Nuh nation’s act of not having faith in him, the throwing of Sayyiduna Ibraheem عَـلَـيْـهِ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّـلَام into the fire, his act of sacrificing his son, the act of making Sayyiduna Ayyub عَـلَـيْـهِ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّـلَام suffer from a disease, death of his children and loss of wealth, Sayyiduna Musa’s act of going to Madyan from Egypt, his migration from Egypt, Sayyiduna ‘Isa’s suffering from troubles and annoyance and the acts of Prophets being martyred are all the examples of trials and patience. The trials and patience of these sacred personages are a model for Muslims. Therefore, whenever a Muslim faces trouble and suffers from pain or torture, he should remain patient and be content with the will of the pleasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ and should not become impatient.

A legendary scholar of Shari’ah, Mufti Muhammad Amjad ‘Ali A’zami رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has said: It is a very important thing that everyone knows no matter how heedless a person is, but when he suffers (from a trouble and) and a disease he remembers Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ a lot and makes Istighfar. It is the glory of high-ranking people that they welcome troubles as they welcome comfort. However, sinful people like us should at least remain patient and should not lose reward by crying and weeping and making complaints when a trouble comes to them. Everyone knows that troubles do not go away by being impatient. (Instead due to impatience one may be deprived of the reward of blessed Ahadees that is another trouble.) (Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 1, pp. 799)

We should also be grateful to Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ for the blessings He عَزَّوَجَلَّ has granted us, we must be content with our blessings, because if we are privileged to express thanks to Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ for our blessings, then to show thanks is also a blessing. Sayyiduna Musa عَـلٰى نَبِيِّنَا وَعَـلَيْهِ الصَّلٰوةُ وَالسَّلَام has said: O Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! How should I express Your thanks as the act of my expressing thanks is also your blessing. Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has said: When you have understood that every blessing is from Me and you remain content with it, then this is to express thanks.

(Ihya-ul-‘Uloom, vol. 4, pp. 105)