Trials and Tribulations : Wisdom and Benefits

1.      When a trial befalls you, realize the greatness of Allah

2.      When a trial befalls you, actualize the sincerity for Allah -There is no way to remove hardships except to turn to Allah “If Allah touch thee with affliction, none can remove it but He; if He touch thee with happiness, He hath power over all things.” (Al-Quran, 6:17)

3.      When a trial befalls you, return back to Allah -“When some trouble touches man he cries unto his Lord, turning to Him in repentance” (Al-Quran, 39:8)

4.      When a trial befalls you, don’t get angry, Control your anger. -“So We gave him the good news of a boy ready to suffer and forbear.” (Al-Quran, 37:101) -The Prophet (PBUH) said to Ashaj Abdul Qais, “You have to qualities that Allah loves, for bearing and deliberation” (Sahih Of Imam Muslim)

5.      Forgive the human who caused the trial/tribulation. -Allah says in the Quran “The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allah: for (Allah) loves not those who do wrong.” (Al-Quran, 42:40)

6.      Be patient and steadfast when trials come, because Allah loves the one who is patient. -Allah says in the Quran “And Allâh loves As-Sâbirun (the patient)” (Al-Quran, 3:146) -Allah farther states “Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure!" (Al-Quran, 39:10)

7.      Be happy when the trial comes to you. -The prophet (PBUH) said “By the one whose hand is my soul, they would show joy on the onset of a calamity, as you show joy at time of ease” [Ibn majah, 424 : hakim ,119 : Authanticated by Al-Basni)

-Ibn Masud Said “Truly amazing are the two detested ones: death and poverty. They showed joy at the onset of a calamity because they knew full well that there in comparison between it's hardship and it's fruit and benefits. This situation is comparable to one who is cured from severe illness after drinking foul medicine”

8.      Know that hardship erases sins. -Allah Says in the Quran “Whatever misfortune happens to you, is because of the things your hands have wrought, and for many (of them) He grants forgiveness.” (Al-Quran, 42:30) -The prophet (PBUH) said, “The believer is not afflicted with illness or hardship even if it be worry that troubles him or a thorn him except that his sins would be expiated as a result of it” (Sahih of Imam Bukhair)

9.      Be nice to people that are going through trials. -A poet once said “The only one to show mercy upon the lovers is one who has loved”

10.  Understand the blessings of ease, because you only understand it when you loose it.

11.  Realize the hidden benefits that a trial contains. -Allah says in the Quran “O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will, and you should not treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the Mahr[] you have given them, unless they commit open illegal sexual intercourse. And live with them honourably. If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allâh brings through it a great deal of good.” (Al-Quran 4:19)

12.  Trial and tribulation protects one from arrogance. -when you are hit by a trial you realize how low you are. Allah says in the Quran,” And if Allah were to enlarge the provision for His slaves, they would surely rebel in the earth, but He sends down by measure as He wills. Verily! He is in respect of His slaves, the Well-Aware, the All-Seer (of things that benefit them).” (Al-Quran 42:27)

13.  Who are we not to get tested? -The prophet (PBUH) said “The example of a believer is like of a plant, the wind is always making it lean in one direction and then another, in the same way the believer is always afflicted with trials” (Sahih of Imam Bukhari)

14.  Hardship cause one to turn toward Allah and ease turns one away from Allah -this was the reason why the Sahabas wore modest clothing and ate little.

15.  Be content with the trial because this will lead to Allah’s pleasure, which is much batter then paradise and whatever it contains.

-“Allâh has promised the believers -men and women, - Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein forever, and beautiful mansions in Gardens of 'Adn (Eden Paradise). But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allâh. That is the supreme success.” (Al-Quran 9:72)

Summarized from:

Trials and Tribulations : Wisdom and Benefits

By: al Imam al Izz bin Abdus Salam

Summary by: Brother Abdul Wahid Al-Basith

Characteristics of a Successful Muslim - Yahya ibn Mu`adh al-Razi

In the Name of Allah, the Benevolent, the Merciful

Yahya ibn Mu`adh al-Razi (Allah have mercy upon him), one of the great imams of the spiritual path from the early Muslims (salaf), said:

“Glad tidings be to a servant who has:

1. Made their occupation worship (`ibada);

2. Neediness (faqr) their longing;

3. Spiritual seclusion (`uzla) their desire;

4. The Hereafter their concern;

5. Seeking a living their means [f: rather than an end in itself];

6. Death their reflection (fikr);

7. Their intention busy with renunciation (zuhd);

8. Killed through abasement (dhull) their self-consequence (`izz);

9. Making their Lord their sole need;

10. Remembering their errors in their solitude (khalwa);

11. Sending forth in ecstasy their contemplation;

12. Complaining only to Allah regarding their strangeness (ghurba);

13. And asking through repentance for Allah’s Mercy.

Glad tidings be to one for whom these are their traits; whose regret is over their sins; ever-yearning in need by night and day; weeping before Allah in the depths of the night; calling upon the All-Merciful; seeking the Gardens of Paradise; and fearing the Fires of Hell.” [Related by Abu Nu`aym, Hilyat al-Awliya, 10.58]

William Shakespeare's immortal work of arts....

This small book was the first attempt at a collected edition of all Shakespeare's non-dramatic verse, including the sonnets. There are fewer than fifty surviving copies in the world.

A literature teacher said Willliam Shakespeare's literary  works captured the hearts of aristocrats and commoners alike.The king of literature, William Shakespeare studied only till 4th class and could not receive proper education due to poverty. But inspite of this he became king of literature and provided numerous new words to English language. A genius. Shakespeare wrote about 154 sonnets, most of them dedicated to his patron and friend, Earl of Southampton and some dedicated to a mysterious lady called dark lady with whom the poet was desperately in love but who betrayed him. There is reference to WH and dark lady in his poems and It is generally assumed that WH means William Herbert and Mary Fetton is the dark lady. The sonnets of Shakespeare are autobiographical and tell a story which is personal to the poet. The sonnets addressed to the Earl talk about immortality of art while as the sonnets addressed to dark lady talk about immortality of love..”

Amazingly William Shakespeare’s literary works are used widely in schools and educational institutions around the world until the present day although he died in 1616. Being a very distinguish playwright and actor,  he wrote dramatic and non-dramatic plays and insert poems in them. His sonnets deals with human emotion which touches the issues of love, beauty and immortality. The words he used reveal the human dimensions relating to the joy and sorrows of life which eventually creates a magnatic force where the readers get engaged in his beautiful, aesthetic works.Sonnet 18 is one of the sonnets of William Shakespeare which is used in the upper secondary level to test their critical and creative thinking skills.

The Road Not Taken

Robert Frost’s poems are  very interesting as they touch the nature revealing an appealing atmosphere and inviting comfort .  The Road not taken is of his poems which have themes that are related to us..... as we walk on the pathway of our lives.

Synopsis:

This poem is about the poet who is enjoying his walk in the woods. He came to a point where the road branched into two. He had to make a choice to choose which road to travel, so he stood there wondering which one to take. Then , he decided to choose the less travelled one. He hopes that he can return on the other day and explore the other road.  However, he did not get the chance to do so as the road he choose took him further and further in life. After many years, he looked back and ponders about his decision he had made many years ago. The choice he had made many years ago have brought a great influence upon his life(shaped his life) and eventually making him the man he is today.

Setting

It is autumn season and the leaves are changing colour (yellow). As we know autumn period of life is reflecting  the late middle age of life. Besides that it happens  in a lonely forest/woods in the countryside  one early morning. There are two roads running through the forest. At the beginning of the poem the persona is still young (flashback) and he has become much older when it reaches  the last stanza.

Themes

There are a few interesting themes:

o   The need to make choices in life

o   We have to choose between two equally good option wisely

o   The choice may make all the difference in our lives

o   As human beings, we most probably look back , wonder and regret that we are unable to choose both the options or choose the other option. (regret/sadness)

o   So, choose wisely and accept the challenges and consequences of the choice. Be bold, creative, original and adventurous in taking up challenges few people choose.  Be brave to explore the opportunities and possibilities that we face along the road we have chosen.  (satisfied/happiness)

Moral Values:

And below are the moral values that we can draw lessons from:

o   We have to take the opportunities that life has to offer us to make a choice

o   Think carefully before we make choices

o   We have to make the right choice and understand ourselves

o   Should not have the feeling of regret for our choice

o   If we make the right choice, we can have a contended life

o   Appreciate the beauty of nature

Tone: (poet’s attitude)

The tone of this poem are conversational, reflective, rich in wisdom, quiet, firm. From line 13 onwards= note of regret and in the end =satisfied

Mood:(inner feeling of the persona)

The mood of the poem shows  thoughtful and contemplative

Atmosphere :( external feeling of the happening)

The atmosphere reflects  loneliness and also  nostalgic

Below I extract some poetic devices  and figurative language used in the poem:

Poetic Devices

1.       Imagery

o   Lone traveller

o   Life as a journey (full of paths to explore)

o   Wood in the autumn (yellow)

o   Road (one is grassy & more appealing that the other

2.       Symbol

o   Yellow wood = represents life/ the maturity or mellowing of the individual

o   Yellow leaves= represents the rich experiences that life has to offer

o   In leaves no step had trodden black= shows that the leaves were not walked upon by anyone/the path is unexplored

o   Diverging road= symbolizes  two options that appear equally good

o   Journey along one of the road= symbolic of the journey one takes through life

 Figurative Language

o   Metaphor

        I.  The road is a metaphor for the journey of life

      II.  The two roads is compared to the two choices in life

    III.  The poet compares himself to a traveler

    IV.   The undergrowth at the end of one of the roads is the obstacles and challenges/ it is also hard to see what the future held for him

      V.  The grass on one of the roads had hardly been stepped on, it means not many people had chosen that kind of life

o   personification

        I.  the road= the choice in life

The Road Not Taken

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;         5   Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,         10   And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.         15   I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

“Heal my wounds with Thy Love”

(sunset photo captured recently from heartoheart at putra jaya, malaysia)

Do make me savor, O my Savior

The ornament Thou slash my chest

To soothe and solace my heart

And free my soul from spree,

Thy kiss breaks the spell of sweet slumber,

The pain not in vain as You heal,

On Your loyal alter my deepest wound being healed,

From wintriness to warmness I reach Your feet

Solace in Thy love do I feel,

I a slave Thou knowth best how to heal!

(nur-inn)

To reach the stage of loving God the most is our ultimate aim, but the journey to attain the stage is a road least taken and endured…….less appreciated and craved for… as it promises not roses but thorns….As we travel on the pathway of life to seek the true love, light and serenity ….from  hurt to heal….from sorrow to joy ….from tensed to solace....we’ll reach a spritual threshold when our wounds will be healed  by His Love…………..

A spiritual awakening…………

                                

Annotation of “Sorrow looted the heart”

Sorrow looted this heart,

and Your Love threw it to the winds.

This is how the secret which saints and seers were denied

was whispered to me.

(Abu Said Abil-Kheir)

(967-1049)

Your love whirls the winds as You threw

Drooping the disguise as the love grew!

When the wise saints and sages’ love rooted

Their hearts revive as sorrow looted!

(nur-inn)

Possesing the love of God is our ultimate aim but to reach this ultimate stage….we will be tested through trials and tribulations ……….when we believe and accept each breath we take, each step we move, is by His Mercy and Love, and have faith that He is with us and never forsake us, we will begin to have a strong dependency on Him and we will live a life seeking His Redha, Mercy and Love in our thoughts, speech and actions….When dependency on man can only lead to hurt, pain eventually causing sorrow to the heart, dependency on God will enablesorrow to be looted from the heart as true love of God dwells in it. As the sorrow droops….the mystical awakening occurs and unfolds leaving no room for grief, as the heart is filled with joy and contentment ….unveiling a hidden blessing…............

a spiritual awakening…..

There is no situation that would cause grief to a
believer, or cause his distress, because he has grasped this secret
and attained pure faith. God explains the spiritual state of the
believer in these words:
Those who say, "Our Lord is God," and then go straight will feel no
fear and will know no sorrow. (Translation Surah Al-Ahqaf:13)

as the time slips by………….

The month of Ramadan has slipped by silently…leaving us to face the days ahead….in this temporary world..struggling to fade the illusive wordly pleasure in order to taste the highest peak of goodness so that we stay on the path of righteous people but only truthful and God fearing men of high determination can reach the stage……

"It is no virtue that you turn your face to the East and the West, but virtue is that one should believe in Allah, and the Last Day and the angels and the prophets; and spend out of love for Him his wealth on relatives and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and on those who ask and for ransom of the slaves and establish salat and pay zakat. And those who fulfil the pledges they make and steadfast In adversity and affliction and In times of struggle, such are the people as are truthful and Godfearing." (Baqarah: 177)

"Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate now after Thou hast guided us, but grant us mercy from Thine own Presence; for Thou art the Granter of bounties without measure" (Al Imran - Verse 8)

So wait steadfastly.....

Al-Ghazali said,

"If you see Allah, Mighty and Magnificent, holding back this world from you,

frequently trying you with adversity and tribulation,

know that you hold a great status with Him.

Know that He is dealing with you

as He does with His Awliya' and chosen elite,

and is watching over you,

have you not heard His saying,

"So wait steadfastly for the judgment of your Lord

- you are certainly before Our eyes."[At-Tur 52:48]

May we have a tranquil and blessed Ramadan...

(photo taken on the west coast of Malaysia)

Ramadan is an amazing month brimming with blessing from Allah for those who relate their speech, thoughts and deeds for the sake of Allah to attain His Love, Mercy and Redha….

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).

On Joy and Sorrow

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.

And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.

And how else can it be?

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?

And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.”

But I say unto you, they are inseparable.

Together they come, and when one sits, alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.

Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.

Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.

When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.

by Kahlil Gibran

The Promise

When pain arrives side by side with your love

I promise not to flee

When you ask me for my life

I promise not to fight

I am holding a cup in my hand

By God if you do not come

Till the end of time

I promise not to pour out the wine

Nor to drink a sip

Your bright face is my day

Your dark curls bring the night

If you do not let me near you

I promise not go to sleep…nor rise

Your magnificence has made me a wonder

Your charm has taught me the way of love

I am the progeny of Abraham

I'll find my way through fire

Please, let me drink water from the jug

This love is not a short-lived fancy

It is the daily prayer, the year-after-year fast

I live it, like an act of worship, till the end of my life

But then, a tree

Blessed not with fruits of your bounty

Will be dry wood for fire

Even if it drinks the ocean

On the wings of the Friend, fly o my heart!

Fly and look upward

For high on the peak of presence

Earthlings like you will not be let in

Others praise God at the time of affliction

You stay awake day and night

Steady, watchful like the wheel of the firmament

Time to stop speaking of the Friend

Jealousy won't let me scatter the perfume to the wind

translation from Rumi's Divan by Fatemeh Keshavarz