As always these are reminders to myself first.

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “A time of patience will come to people in which adhering to one’s religion is like grasping a hot coal.”Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2260Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani.

This hadith reminds us that a time will come when adhering to your religion will be very hard. You want to wear niqab but you’re scared what will others say including your own parents. You want to lower your gaze but there is fitnah everywhere as you go out. You want to get a job but it requires you to help sell alcohol. You want to get a house but you think you need a mortgage for this. These are not excuses but these are everyday situations people are facing; people are struggling. People are falling into constant haram except those whom Allaah shows mercy upon.

Sometimes we may judge others but we need to remind ourselves that we are all sinners and slaves of Allaah. Who am I to judge when I am a sinner myself. We do not know who is more sincere and beloved in the eyes of Allaah. Perhaps a sin could lead you to Jannah, Paradise (by you making sincere repentance and doing good deeds). Perhaps a good deed could lead you to Jahannum, Hellfire (by you becoming arrogant, so you stop repenting and stop doing good deeds).

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Islam began as something strange and it will return to being strange, so blessed are the strangers.”Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 145Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Muslim

SubhanAllaah look at this hadith, it gives a sense of comfort to those who are trying to practice their deen. There is the man trying to grow his beard, wear trousers above his ankles and the woman wearing jilbaab or niqab etc. Be happy to be strange! You may be strange in the eyes of the people but you may be beloved to Allaah and He is Who matters. This is a motivating hadith for those people who some days feel tired of feeling different, feel tired of the clashes due to adhering to their principles and those who feel lonely in this path.

“The greatest reward comes from the greatest trial. When Allaah loves people, He tests them, and whoever accepts it gains the pleasure of Allaah and whoever complains earns His wrath.”Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2396;and Ibn Maajah, 4031; classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani.

SubhanAllah, perhaps Allaah is testing you because He loves you. He wants you to be patient, to get rid of sins and earn rewards. When you submit to the Qadr of Allaah, life becomes easier in shaa Allaah. Sometimes Allaah has given us something in our life or a circumstance in our life we don’t like and we start to think bad of Allaah and question His Decree, this is extremely bad we shouldn’t do this.

May Allaah allow us to be thankful when given blessings, have patience when facing trials and seek repentance after sinning Aameen .

Ibn Qayyim stated that happiness is achieved by:

1. Being thankful (Shukr) when receiving blessings.

2. Being patient (Sabr) when tested/afflicted.

3. Being repentant (Tawbah) upon committing a sin.

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