Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is reported to have said:
“Amazing is the affair of the believer, verily all of his affairs are good and this is not for any one except the believer. If something of good/happiness befalls him he is grateful and that is good for him. If something of harm befalls him he is patient and that is good for him” (Saheeh Muslim #2999)
To me this means we can find goodness and comfort regardless of the situation we are in. There are two conditions a believer is in at any time. Going through good times, where he should be in a state of gratitude, going through a rough time when he should be in a state of patience and gratitude (because it could have been worse!).
We are taught that we should have patience in the middle of hardship, precisely at the time when we are at our weakest, is when our faith should be the strongest. There's no point being patient after the anger, the ranting and raving. Real patience is to recognise who is in control of everything and turn to Him from the outset so that the heart and mind can be at peace.
My favourite attribute of Allah is ‘Ash Shakur’ – The Responsive to gratitude. It never ceases to amaze me that our Creator is so loving and merciful that He gives us more for being grateful for what He has already given us.
Patience, gratitude, care and empathy for our fellow human beings, and this earth which has been given to us as a trust...these are teachings from our faith and we all attest to their importance but it is only at times of great difficulty and hardship that we can tell how well we have cultivated our character and spirit by how easy (or not!) it is to exercise these qualities and practice them.
The other side of the coin is that in times of ease and plenty are you able to reflect and recognise who it is that has provided you with all that you have? Or will you be in a state of neglect and heedlessness, selfish and self- serving?
Gratitude and patience need to be a conscious part of us regardless of our situation.
Any situation can be seen as a difficulty or an opportunity. Let's make this time an opportunity to put into practice these very important teachings from our faith, teachings which we spend a lot of time talking about. Take this as an opportunity to slow down in our all too fast world. Reconnect with your family, with nature, and especially with yourself and your Creator.
