Reading time: 2 minutes

There's an ancient booklet authored by a remarkable scholar, Sultan al-Ulama Izz ibn Abdus-Salam, who lived over 800 years ago.

Renowned for his profound knowledge, he mastered not one but two schools of thought—an extremely rare achievement in Islamic history.

His work, The Benefits of Tribulations and Tests, offers deep insights into how our hardships carry profound wisdom and hidden blessings.

One of the intriguing traits of the Prophet ﷺ is his hilm, or forbearance—a quality closely linked to intellect in the Arabic language.

Intriguingly, the words for intellect and forbearance share the same root in Arabic.

This connection suggests that true intellect stabilizes us; it helps us remain steady even when the world is in turmoil.

A person of intellect does not get easily perturbed by difficulties.

Consider a parent playfully tossing their child into the air.

In that brief moment when the child is suspended, there's a flicker of fear—a moment of uncertainty and panic.

But they laugh as soon as they are safely back in their parent's arms.

That fleeting instant of panic is akin to our journey in this world.

We come from Allah, and we return to Him.

The trials and tribulations we face are just that moment in the air.

If we trust Allah's wisdom and care, we can find peace even amidst uncertainty, knowing we are always in His loving embrace.

We see this forbearance exemplified in the Prophet ﷺ throughout his life.

When Abu Bakr (RA) panicked during their flight from Makkah to Madinah, the Prophet ﷺ remained serene, reciting the Qur'an and trusting in Allah's protection.

When they hid in the cave, and the Quraysh were just outside, Abu Bakr (RA) was nervous, but the Prophet ﷺ was untroubled.

In battles, when others were overwhelmed with fear, they would find and stand behind the Prophet ﷺ, who remained composed and led his companions with quiet strength.

We, as believers, are encouraged to embody this trait of forbearance. It's a sign of strong faith and trust in Allah.

When calamities and hardships come our way, they are not simply tests but also gifts.

Izz ibn Abdus-Salam highlights 17 benefits that come from tribulations. Here are just a few of those gems:

1. A Reminder of Allah’s Power: Calamities remind us of our dependence on Allah. They show us that we are under His dominion and that there is no escape from His will.

2. Sincerity in Worship: Hardship often brings us back to sincere prayer, where we realize that no one can help us but Allah.

3. Patience and Forbearance: Tribulations strengthen us and allow us to practice patience. The Prophet ﷺ said, “No one has been given a gift better and more expansive than patience.”

4. Compassion for Others: Experiencing difficulty softens our hearts to the struggles of others, allowing us to help those in need.

5. Gratitude for Well-Being: Hardship makes us appreciate the blessings of ease and good health.

Once, a devout woman was walking along her path when she stumbled and hurt her leg.

She fell, and as she lay there, unable to stand up, she began to laugh.

A passerby hurried over to help her, puzzled by her reaction. "Have you lost your mind?" they asked.

She smiled and replied, "Not at all. When the pain struck me, I remembered the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:

'A believer is not pricked by a thorn except that Allah removes some of their sins because of it.'

The sweetness of knowing that my sins were being forgiven overwhelmed any pain I felt."

This is the depth of true faith. Just as the body releases endorphins to ease physical pain, there are spiritual endorphins that soothe the soul.

One of the companions had an arrow removed from his body while he was in prayer because he was so immersed in his connection with Allah that he didn't feel the pain.

These are not fairy tales; these are real experiences witnessed by people of deep faith.

The Prophet ﷺ once said, “Wondrous is the affair of the believer, for there is good for them in every matter.

If they are blessed with ease, they are grateful, and that is good for them.

If they are afflicted with hardship, they are patient, and that is good for them.”

The believer's outlook on life is deeply optimistic because, in the grand scheme of things, even the bitter moments carry sweetness when seen through the lens of faith.

May Allah grant us the forbearance of the Prophet ﷺ and the wisdom to see the hidden blessings in every trial.

Alhamdulillah! Thanks to your incredible support, we've reached 50% of our goal!

Today is the last day to make a real difference in the lives of those affected by the devastating floods.

Your Zakat-eligible contribution is urgently needed. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to providing critical relief to those in desperate need.

We sincerely thank you for your kindness and generosity if you've already given. Please help us again by spreading the word and encouraging others to join this vital cause before it's too late.

Let's come together in these final hours to reach our goal and make a lasting impact. Your support matters now more than ever.