Ibn Bazz: Encouraging patience and endurance at times of adversity

Encouraging patience and endurance at times of adversity 

Q : What is the ruling on repudiating evil? Is it just a form of enduring affliction? What about the authenticity of the Hadiths encouraging patience at times of affliction? 

A : It is not a form of praised endurance to endure evil without forbidding it. It is obligatory to denounce evil whenever it is found by one's hand i.e. physical removal, by one's tongue i.e. speaking against it, or by one's heart i.e. disliking it, according one's ability. Allah (Glorified be He) says, The believers, men and women, are Auliyâ’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin (on the people) Al­M a‘ rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al­Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islâm has forbidden) Thus, all Muslims should denounce evil whenever they are afflicted therewith e.g. in houses, and roads. They are not to tolerate evil at all. 

As for the Hadiths on the merit of being patient at times of affliction, they are so many. For example, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, The Prophets experience the worst calamities in this world. Then, the righteous people, and those who are most similar to them. This is an authentic Hadith. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said Wonderful are the affairs of a believer; for there is good in every affair of his; this is not the case with anyone else except a believer. If he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (Allah), thus there is good for him in it. If he suffers affliction, he endures patiently, which is good for him. Reported by Imam Muslim in his Sahih Book of Hadithfrom Suhayb Ibn Sinan (may Allah be pleased with him). Allah (may He be Praised) says in His Noble Book: And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As­Sâbirûn (the patient). Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: "Truly! To Allâh we belong and truly, to Him we shall return." They are those on whom are the Salawât (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided ones. 

( Part No : 7, Page No: 147) 

Allah (Exalted be He) also says, Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning. Indeed, there are many Ayahs (Qura'nic verses) and Hadiths in this regard. May Allah make all of us of those who are patient. He is the Generous, the Gracious. It is also reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, on the merit of patience at times of adversity, “Adversity will continue afflicting the believing man and the believing woman in his/her body, property, or children until s/he meets Allah sinless.” 

Reported by Ahmad in his Musnadfrom Abu Hurayrah. 

Some people think that those who are afflicted with sickness and diseases are damned. However, it is untrue, for Allah (Exalted be He) may afflict some who are dear to Him like the Prophets, Messengers, righteous people, and so on, with disease and disasters. It is already cited that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The Prophets experience the worst calamities in this world... 

This was the case with Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself in Makkah, on the Day of the Battle of Uhud, on the Battle of Al­Ahzab, and upon his death. Similarly, this was the case with Prophet Ayyub (Job, peace be upon him), and Prophet Yunus (Jonah, peace be upon him). This raises them in ranks and increases their reward. They are also a good example for those who are afflicted after them among humankind. 

A man may also be afflicted with prosperity like riches, women, children, and so on. Therefore, he should not think that he is dear to Allah (Exalted be He) unless he is fully obedient. Only then, worldly graces may be a sign of dearness but it is not the only probability, for dearness and dislike differ according to different conditions. Evidently, worldly blessings like children, money, and positions are not evidence of Allah's love (Exalted be He). 

( Part No : 7, Page No: 148) 

Indeed, only righteous deeds, piety, repentance, and religiosity may draw a person near to Allah (Exalted be He). The more a person is perfect in these characteristics, the more he is beloved by Allah (Exalted be He). 

It is reported that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, Allah gives worldly things to those whom He loves and those whom He does not love, but He gives religion and true faith only to those whom He loves, so he who is given religion by Allah has been loved by Him. Thus, whoever is afflicted with disbelief and sins may be disliked by Allah (Exalted be He) in some cases. However, affliction may be a way to lead him to destruction in the same manner that grace may be a way to evil and loss. Allah (Exalted be He) says, We shall gradually seize them with punishment in ways they perceive not. And I respite them; certainly My Plan is s t r o n g . It is reported that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, When you see that Allah gives a 

servant his desires while he is disobeying Him, then know that such a servant is gradually made to fall into loss. The Prophet (peace beuponhim)thenreadAllah'ssaying, So,whentheyforgot(thewarning)withwhichtheyhadbeenreminded,Weopenedforthem 

the gates of every (pleasant) thing, until in the midst of their enjoyment in that which they were given, all of a sudden, We took them (in punishment), and lo! They were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows. i.e. they become hopeless of every good. May Allah save us! 

Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says, Do they think that in wealth and children with which We enlarge them We hasten unto them with good things. Nay, [it is a Fitnah (trial) in this worldly life so that they will have no share of good things in the Hereafter] but they perceive not. [Tafsir Al­Qurtubi]. 

Allah (Exalted be He) may also afflict some people with diseases and sicknesses for certain wisdom, for example, raising their ranks and removing their sins, not out of disliking them.