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The Four States of Life
Traversing Tribulation
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Before the Hour comes, there will be tribulation like pieces of black night, when a man will wake up as a believer but be a disbeliever by evening, or he will be a believer in the evening but will be a disbeliever by morning. And the one who is sitting will be better than the one who is standing, and the one who is standing will be better than the one who is walking, and the one who is walking will be better than the one who is running.
Tribulation is a part of existence.
The nature of this world is genuinely testing, with every phase bringing a unique set of trials.
The prophets experienced tribulations, and the faith followers are expected to face them, too.
A profound principle they understood is to embrace the world’s trials, for their essence hints at the nature of our existence.
Life presents itself in four states, each with its unique response.
Gratitude
When blessed, gratitude is our call. Blessings are the bounties of Allah, and appreciate them with immeasurable thankfulness. But note that gratitude is not just about expressions of thanks. It is about utilizing the gifts that Allah has given us in obedience and reverence to Him - this is true gratitude.Fear
When we find ourselves lavishing in worldly pleasure, it should instill fear. As believers, we should fear that we might forget our humble beginnings, which could lead to a downward spiral.
Patience
In times of difficulty, patience is our virtue. It is the realization that every hardship is part of Allah’s grand plan. We can remember that our tribulations could be far worse, so patience is essential.Hopefulness
When we find ourselves in a state of hopefulness, we can foster a spirit of introspection. We should recognize our previous blessings and learn from our experiences, ensuring that we don’t become arrogant.
These states of life should guide our actions and reactions, leading us to practice patience, hope, fear, and gratitude in the most appropriate circumstances.
However, we need to be careful during times of victory or dominance.
Victory and power must be handled with wisdom and respect. We must be mindful of the urge to hasten success if we lack the faith and righteousness to handle it, for we’ll degrade our spirituality.
When we gain power/ victory/ dominance, we might become tyrants to ourselves and demean the same laws and principles they once vowed to uphold.
The prophetic model is what we should all strive for.
It is a model of harmony, patience, magnanimity, humility, and, most importantly, a perfect balance between hope, fear, gratitude, and patience.
These virtues involve recognizing our state and reacting in the most humble and sincere way, always remembering Allah’s presence.
In our journey, we must learn to advise each other, to lead each other towards patience and truth, and to show up in our divine obedience, knowing that it is solely because Allah permitted us to be obedient.
Remember, as long as we exist in this worldly dimension, we can gracefully confront these trials with patience, gratitude, humility, and fear of Allah.
Reflection:
What is your most common current state? Why?
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