Page 45 - The Secret Behind Our Trials

The Muslim of Difficult Times
Encompassing, All-Knowing. (Surat al-Baqara, 267-68)
This passage goes on to say that Allah foils this weak trick of
Satan and announces to human beings the good news of His good
pleasure. In return for their high moral character, Allah allows them
to experience a spiritual delight that cannot be compared with any
earthly pleasure. There is no limit to the joy that comes from self-sac-
rifice, patience, faithfulness, generosity, humanity, and loyalty. In
one verse, Allah praises the superior moral character of those believ-
ers who eagerly and happily open their houses to other Muslims
who migrated to their country, providing everything they need de-
spite the fact that they are needy themselves:
Those who were already settled in the abode and in faith be-
fore they came love those who have migrated to them, do not
find in their hearts any need for what they have been given,
and prefer them to themselves even if they themselves are
needy. It is the people who are safe-guarded from the avarice
of their own selves who are successful. (Surat al-Hashr, 9)
Allah also describes the rewards granted after the trial of thirst,
fatigue, and hunger to those who work in His way:
It was not for the people of Madinah and the desert Arabs
around them to remain behind the Messenger of Allah, nor
to prefer themselves to him. That is because no thirst or
weariness or hunger will afflict them in the Way of Allah.
Nor will they take a single step to infuriate the unbelievers
or secure any gain from the enemy without a right action
being written down for them because of it. Allah does not let
the wage of the good-doers go to waste. (Surat at-Tawba, 120)
As this verse says, every frustration that a Muslim experiences
on the way of Allah is, in fact, a good deed. Given that all people
were created to serve Allah and do good deeds, they will receive the

43