Why do we suffer problems in life? Javed Ahmed Ghamidi
[Hassan Ilyas] People generally ask when we face some big adversity,
we often come across situations when some parents
whose young son gets injured in a major accident,
or if anybody departs from the world.
A thriving business all of a sudden crashes,
or a robbery takes place in the house, all the saved capital is robbed...
Such big adversities, and trials, why and how do these come in life?
Generally, an Ayah of the Quran is presented that
whatever misfortune or calamity that comes upon us
is actually what we have earned. So whenever, we face such distress
or misery, is it necessarily due some action on the part of a human being
and as a result of which all this happens?
How does a human being bring himself up to it?
Catering to such troubles, as these are such deep injuries,
often a whole family departs in a mishap and it seems quite difficult
for a person to come to terms with such a state of affairs.
So what should be the attitude of a true Muslim in such circumstances?
[Javed Ahmed Ghamidi] The mandate of Allah (swt) which you have stated,
that is in a special context, there especially
the audience of the Messenger of Allah
has been told, that whatever acts you are presently doing,
certain consequences are resulting from it,
so how Allah will deal with it will be a result of those acts.
However, generally, when we think over it
we learn that there are several causes of it.
There is no doubt that at times our negligences,
our mistakes, our errors, especially in the case of a person
who has been subject to some excesses and he/she had been weak or vulnerable
so in the situation of bigger tragedies, its retribution happens here as well.
It is not that this happens everywhere with every person and for all matters.
However, at times Allah (swt) for his /her excesses,
for his/her tyrannies or oppression makes a person
an example for others. Hence this aspect also exists.
So whenever such troubles or difficulties come,
then a person should necessarily introspect on his/her shortcomings.
This world is made for testing. The testing is according to the worth.
i.e. the type of relationship that a person has with his/her Lord,
so often the test is given in accordance with it.
This testing is from different aspects.
We notice that many people are subjected to the test for thankfulness.
Allah (swt) showers great bounties, and successes,
gives a lot of power in the world,
Knowledge is given, Authority and Control is given,
Wealth and riches are bestowed, beauty and elegance is bestowed.
However, a person at times does not stay grateful for these blessings.
And in the same way, when calamities and hardships are faced,
so patience has been demanded. He/she often does not fulfill it.
So these matters occur with human beings from the aspect of trials as well.
And regarding trials Allah (swt) has not formulated just a single process,
it happens from a thousand aspects. It happens according to the people,
it happens according to their designations,
it happens as per their status and capacity.
It also happens with respect to some of their deeds in this world.
Its standards are set by the Lord, we human beings just see what is apparent.
We cannot really groke, in which aspect of our lives it will manifest.
It also happens at times that Allah (swt) just to make
any of His servant an example of thankfulness, tests him.
Like the example of Hazrat-e Ayyub (Job) which we are aware of.
Allah (swt) had bestowed on him (pbuh) great blessings such as
beauty and elegance, wealth, prosperity and stewards and servants.
However, the people said that he has been bestowed
with such blessings, so what wonder it is, if he is thankful?
So he was made an example to show that Allah's servant
is sincere to Him, and his relationship with Lord,
is the reason for him being thankful.
It is not because of his material wealth and bounties.
So there are diverse reasons and causes in which all this takes place.
However, the servant of Allah should always focus his eyes
on his mistakes and shortcomings. If he asks Allah for forgiveness,
for pardon and connects himself with Allah,
if some sin or error or some excess has been done with someone,
if he tries to seek pardon for it,
then most of the time it results in the cessation of troubles.
In the same way, when some difficulty or hardship comes
then on that occasion, the preparedness of the servant of Allah,
i.e. whether he is ready from the core of his heart,
he has understood that it is the decision of his Lord,
and I bow to this decision of the Lord, or he becomes evasive
and adopts ways to avoid it. So with regard to this
the duration of misfortune varies. So the best thing to do is
whenever any such matter occurs then a human being
should focus on his/her shortcomings, should ask forgiveness
of the mistake from his Lord, establish a connection with the Lord,
the repentance for the mistakes committed,
if someone has been subject to excesses,
then the forgiveness from him, for this every possible measure
should be carried out. It is hoped that his Lord
will never be oppressive to His servants even in any infinitesimal manner.
He will surely look upon him mercifully and will forgive him.