AFTER HARDSHIP IS EASE!
By: Umm Affan
Dhul-Hijjah 6, 1442 (16-July-2021)
The Prophet (ï·º) said: *"The people who are tested the most severely are the Prophets, then the righteous, then the next best and the next best."* According to another Hadith: *"A man will be tested according to his level of religious commitment; the stronger his religious commitment, the more severe will be his test."*
Allah tells us about Prophet Ayub (Job ['Alayhi Salam]), and the trials that struck him, affecting his wealth, children and physical health.
He had plenty of livestock, cattle and crops, many children and beautiful houses, and he was tested in these things, losing everything he had. Then he was tested concerning his health, and he was left alone on the edge of the city and no one treated him with compassion apart from his wife, who took care of him.
Prophet Ayub ('Alayhi Salam) had the utmost patience, and he is the best example of that. Yazid Ibn Maysarah said: *"When Allah tested Ayub ('Alayhi Salam) with the loss of his family, wealth and children, and he had nothing left, he started to focus upon the remembrance of Allah."*
Allah informs (in Surah Al-Anbiya verse 83): *"And (remember) Ayub (Job), when he cried to his Lord: "Verily, distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy." So We answered his call, and We removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his family to him (that he had lost), and the like thereof along with them, as a mercy from Ourselves and a Reminder for all who worship Us."*
Ibn Abi Hatim recorded from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (ï·º) said: *When Allah healed Ayub, He sent upon him a shower of golden locusts, and he started to pick them up and gather them in his garment. It was said to him, "O Ayub, have you not had enough!" He said, "O Lord, who can ever have enough of Your mercy!*
Let this be a solace to the afflicted. When in whatever distress, call none except Allah. Surely, Allah is Sufficient for the believers. And after hardship, there is surely ease. I beseech Allah to heal the sick. (Aameen)