I decided to write on the topic regarding the difficulties in this dunya (world) and the craving of Jannah (Paradise). People face different dfficulties whether they are living in the West or living in the Middle East. I decided to name this blog post trials and tribulations but I remembered during Ramadan I had written a blog post called this too, so this is trials and tribulations part 2. Link to part 1 is here:

Ramadan Series: Trials and Tribulations part 1🌹🥀

This world is but a test and it is full of trials and tribulations. Shaykh Muqbil al-Wadi’i (may Allaah have mercy upon him) said “Allaah has never taken anything except that He has replaced it with better and the Dunya is a home of trial and hardship. It will never be complete for anyone ever.”

If we got everything we wanted in this world then how would we crave Jannah? Through our difficulties we try to remain patient and make constant dua to Allaah. We remember to ask Allaah to grant us Jannatul Firdous.

People are facing difficulties around the world no matter what country they are in. In the UK we have experienced heatwaves that have been extremely hot for us. UK is generally cold, so buildings are designed to trap in heat, which is not ideal for the summer weather. Many of the homes in the UK also don’t have air conditioning. الحمدلله regardless. This is just physical discomfort but there are also religous problems living in the West as we know. Many parents including myself are worried about bringing up their children in the West where music, free mixing and immorality are the norms. There are many parents who have been making hijrah for this reason.

Daily prompt: Favourite Weather

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “In very hot weather delay the Zuhr prayer till it becomes (a bit) cooler because the severity of heat is from the raging of the Hell-fire. The Hell-fire of Hell complained to its Lord saying: O Lord! My parts are eating (destroying) one another. So Allah allowed it to take two breaths, one in the winter and the other in the summer. The breath in the summer is at the time when you feel the severest heat and the breath in the winter is at the time when you feel the severest cold.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 536, 537

Moreover, in the Middle East there are horrible conflicts going on. Many of our brothers and sisters are suffering. May Allaah aid our brothers and sisters suffering and ease their affairs Aameen.

This just goes to show that there are difficulties all around the world no matter where you are living.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “No misfortune or disease befalls a Muslim, no worry or grief or harm or distress – not even a thorn that pricks him – but Allah will expiate for some of his sins because of that.” (Agreed upon. Narrated by al-Bukhari, 5641)

This hadith highlights the importance of having good thoughts of Allaah and having patience. Allaah expiates our sins from the difficulties we face subhanAllaah.

“Do you think that you will enter Paradise before Allah tests those of you who fought (in His Cause) and (also) tests those who are As-Saabiroon (the patient)?” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:142]

Trials and tribulations are a part of life but it is up to us on how we decide to handle them. Will we moan and constantly complain or try to accept the Qadr of Allaah subhanAllaah. As always these are reminders to myself first and foremost.

I wrote a poem called ‘My Fluctuating Imaan’ about 8 years ago and I thought it related to this post. I took inspiration from Surah Insan, a surah I love where Allaah says we will drink wine from a silver cup, wear silk garments and be surrounded by rivers etc. Do read the translation and tafsir of Surah Insan in shaa Allaah. I love this surah because it has descriptions of Jannah, which makes you crave to be there.

Here are some ayat of Surah Insan:

Al-Insan 76:12

وَجَزَىٰهُم بِمَا صَبَرُواْ جَنَّةࣰ وَحَرِيرࣰا

English – Sahih International

And will reward them for what they patiently endured [with] a garden [in Paradise] and silk [garments].

Al-Insan 76:13

مُّتَّكِئِينَ فِيهَا عَلَى ٱلۡأَرَآئِكِۖ لَا يَرَوۡنَ فِيهَا شَمۡسࣰا وَلَا زَمۡهَرِيرࣰا

English – Sahih International

[They will be] reclining therein on adorned couches. They will not see therein any [burning] sun or [freezing] cold.

Al-Insan 76:14

وَدَانِيَةً عَلَيۡهِمۡ ظِلَٰلُهَا وَذُلِّلَتۡ قُطُوفُهَا تَذۡلِيلࣰا

English – Sahih International

And near above them are its shades, and its [fruit] to be picked will be lowered in compliance.

My poem:

MY FLUCTUATING IMAAN 

It feels like I’m failing 

It feels like I’m falling 

Falling deep down 

My head is spinning around 

As I try so hard to resist 

I think of the end goal, where there’s ongoing bliss 

Shaytan coming into my head 

He just wants me to be misled 

It’s my fluctuating imaan 

Sometimes it’s up and sometimes it’s down 

I struggle with my own nafs 

It’s seriously tough 

As you see everyone doing what you want to do 

You say why don’t I join too? 

But you see, you’re special 

You’re not like them all 

You’re going to stand strong 

And persevere not to fall into wrong 

You know Allah is watching 

He is the All-Knowing 

So, you fight it all away 

Don’t worry, you will be okay 

You left it for the sake of Allah 

As you try to strive for Jannah 

I know darling it’s difficult  

But if you sinned, it would be your fault 

Stay strong and don’t give up 

Because one day in shaa Allah, you’ll be drinking wine in a silver cup 

Strive for this purifying drink 

And the green garments of fine silk 

And the brocade 

All your hard work will be finally paid 

You’ll be adorned with bracelets of silver  

And don’t forget the gardens surrounded by beautiful rivers 

Just remember to never stop praying 

I saw people striving  

Before I thought how  

But it all makes sense now 

Be patient today 

And attain Allah’s pleasure tomorrow…