Short Answer

Never give up hope. Everyone goes through difficult tests in life. Our reaction to these tests will determine whether we pass or fail. It is important to be careful what you say and how you react while you are in the most difficult part of the test. Once you get through it, you will look back and realize it wasn’t as difficult as it felt like in the moment. Continue asking Allah for help and to not test you more than you can handle.

What the Qur’an and Sunnah Say

The Prophet Muhammad said: “The situation of a believer is amazing. Everything that happens to him is good, and this is only true for a believer and no one else. If something pleasant happens to him, he is thankful, and that is good for him. If something bad afflicts him, he is patient, and that is also good for him.” [Muslim #2999]

The Prophet also said: “Whatever trouble, illness, anxiety, grief, hurt or sorrow afflicts any Muslim, even the prick of a thorn, Allah removes some of his sins by it.” [Bukhari #5641]

The Prophet passed by a woman who was crying over a grave. He said to her, “Be mindful of Allah and have patience.” She responded, “Leave me alone! You haven’t been afflicted like I have!” She didn’t realize who she was speaking to, so someone later told her, “It’s the Prophet [that you spoke to].” She came to the door of the Prophet and, not seeing any doorman, walked in and said, “I didn’t realize it was you.” He replied, “The time for patience is during the first shock of grief.” [Bukhari #1283]

Shaykh Mustafa Umar

Version 0.25