Page 67 - Perfected Faith

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THE MORAL PERFECTION CONFERRED BY PERFECTED FAITH

is truly a "blessing" for a man of perfected faith.
Owing to this perception, they put their trust in Allah when they
meet with hardship. Meanwhile, they never forget to pray that Allah
may not burden them with more than they have the capacity to bear:
Allah does not impose on any soul more than it can stand. It
shall be requited for whatever good and whatever evil it has
done. Our Lord, do not take us to task if we forget or make a
mistake! Our Lord, do not place on us a load burden like the
one You placed on those before us! Our Lord, do not charge us
with more than we can bear! And pardon us; and forgive us our
sins; and have mercy on us. You alone are our Protector, so help
us against the disbelievers. (Surat al-Baqara, 286)
In the face of a difficulty, they understand that it is a trial "which
they have the strength to bear" and thus try to show their submission
to Allah and their trust in Him in the best way possible. They know
that the attitudes they assume in times of ease and those they display
in hardship are not the same in the sight of Allah. On this subject,
Allah gives the following example:
Those believers who stay behind—other than those forced to by
necessity—are not equal to those who strive for the cause of
Allah, sacrificing their wealth and themselves. Allah has given
those who strive with their wealth and themselves a higher
rank than those who stay behind… (Surat an-Nisa', 95)
As the above verse also stresses, people who seek Allah's approval
in times of hardship are superior to those who do not make any effort.
Their holding fast to their religion in such hard times reveals the pro-
foundness of their faith. It is difficult to judge the sincerity of a person
who makes sacrifice in times of ease. Putting people to the test
through hardship is a way by which Allah distinguishes between
those who are truthful and those who are liars.
Allah's testing believers with difficulties serves another purpose.
Having experienced a difficulty makes an individual appreciate the