Thankfulness, Patience…
Writing by abuhatem on Thursday, 8 of May , 2008 at 2:39 am
Our Islamic tradition notes that one of the most fundamental manifestations of Divine mercy are in hardship, tribulation, and calamity. Because it is those things that, although very hard, and may God keep us away from them, make us truly realized in many spiritual virtues - such as thankfulness, humbleness, and patience.
This is the theme of many of the hadith of the Prophet, such as the one which emphasizes that everything which happens to a Muslim is good - because goodness leads to thankfulness while hard times lead to patience.
Some of the early Muslims used to say that if you could see the Divine Tablets (al-lawh al-mahfudh), one would not pray for anything to happen except that which happened, for the bad in one’s life has another side.
God has two great attributes that he manifests in his creation - al-Jalal or “The Majestic” is one of his names, and another is al-Jamal or “The Beautiful.” The Classical Muslim commentators note that God has both names, and that his creation reflect both attributes. Jalal is manifested during trial and hardship, when one is brought to the virtues of awe of God. Jamal are manifested during good and happy times, when one is brought to thankfulness of God.
This I think is one of the core aspects of Islam which one deals with in one’s everyday life. For everything in our lives can in many ways be reduced to good times and bad times. And our scholars note that in every jalal there is jamal, and in every jalal there is jamal. For instance, Mecca is named as the “City of Jalal” for its feeling of awe of God and the fear of its sacred status which it evokes - yet it too contains parts which contain much beauty. And Medina, while it is named as “The City of Jamal” it still contains parts which evoke awe.
Thus in every hard time one can find beauty, and in every beautiful time one can be brought to awe. Yet, in the end it is all positive - as the Prophet (SAW) said this is the affair of none except the believer. One can find positiveness in everything.
I was reminded of this lately because of a very sad fact. One of my good friends, who just graduated last semester, now has leukemia. She is one of the nicest and sweetest people I know. A very kind person who was always there to help people and who really dedicated herself to helping others when they needed it. She is a very positive person, and a religious Christian.
I simply ask if you would all keep her in your prayers. It is a very sad situation, and I am very upset, but in every hardship there is relief (as the Qur’an says), and in every moment where - as hard as it is - we notice God’s awe, we also find his beauty. Firstly, we should thank God that we were not tried with such sickness. But secondly, we notice how humble we are as human beings and how powerful God is. As Muslims say, “Blessed is he in who’s hand is the Dominion and who has power over all things” and as the Christians say “For the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory are yours, now and forever.”
Category: Islam
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Comment by 
ilana
Made Monday, 12 of May , 2008 at 7:29 pm
Sabreen jaameela
