Page 56 - The School of Yusuf (as)

THE SCHOOL OF YUSUF

will be determined according to their responses to it. Times of
hardship are the instances when believers may be distinguished
from unbelievers. Many say that they are Muslims, that they be-
lieve in Allah and Judgment Day, and that they obey the Qur’an,
but the majority of them turn away when they are faced with hard-

ship in the cause of Allah. For instance, one who is concerned about
his business will give it all his time, and spares no time to teaching
the morality of the Qur’an. Or, they side with the Muslims when
times are good, but desert them when the slightest adversity
strikes. For example, when the non-religious make false accusa-
tions or launch physical attacks on the Muslims, these treacherous
people suddenly become more concerned about their status in soci-

ety and for their future. Thus, they will have shown forth the insin-
cerity in their belief. If such hardship had not occurred, they could
have persisted among Muslims for the rest of their lives, while
their true character would only have been identified in the
Hereafter. However, through hardship, the pure are distinguished
from the impure, as a mercy of Allah:
What assailed you on the day the two armies met was by
Allah’s permission, so that He would know the believers,
and so that He would know the hypocrites… (Surah Al

‘Imran, 166-167)
The corrupt become deserters in times of adversity, and Allah’s
grace is showered on those who remain steadfast and patient.
Great blessing and much good come to believers through every
hardship they endure in patience, such as School of Yusuf. The
treatment one is exposed to, the living conditions, and the separa-
tion from one’s loved-ones and other believers, are examples of the

trials they must endure. Every difficulty they are exposed to

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