Page 46 - The Secret Behind Our Trials
P. 46

THE SECRET BEHIND OUR TRIALS
            perfect reward for their patience and moral character, and will suffer
            no injustice.
                 The same is true of illness, and other frustrations. Believers
            know that only Allah will reward them and that this world is only
            temporary. Therefore, they are always discerning, decisive, and firm
            because they have read in the Qur'an that He will give spiritual
            strength and support to those believers who work for Him. To know
            the secret of this world's trials causes a great feeling of ease in the
            face of difficulty. People who know that whatever happens to them
            is a test can neither become unhappy, frustrated, or depressed  nor
            lose hope and be overwhelmed by fear and anxiety.


                 The Strength that Supports Believers
                 The eager and joyful strength of character that believers display
            when they encounter difficulties and frustration is something that
            those who have no faith in Allah's supreme power cannot under-
            stand. Unbelievers are suspicious and wonder what power supports
            these people, for since they have no belief in Allah, they remain to-
            tally unaware of the truth that only He can send this supportive
            power. To them, people are strong because of their material means
            and friends. Thus, they always look for a kind of intention and a dif-
            ferent material source that they believe is responsible for the believ-
            ers' strength. However, this strength comes from the believers' belief
            in destiny and the Hereafter, as well as their trust and submission to
            Allah. The lives of the Prophets and other devout believers contain
            many fine examples of the power that comes from this trust.
                 An important example is the group of Pharaoh's magicians,
            who showed strength of character when Pharaoh threatened them
            with death. The Qur'an tells us that Pharaoh tried to intimidate



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