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Punished for things beyond my control

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Topic: Punished for things beyond my control
Posted By: Abu
Subject: Punished for things beyond my control
Date Posted: 13 April 2018 at 4:54pm
Assalamu Alaikum wa rahamtullahi wa barakatahu

I reverted to Islam 6 years ago and I am currently going through hard times, can anybody help me to gain senses back and here is my following situation



I was diagnosed with bi hemispherical dysfunction 13 years ago and ever since then I have suffered a lot right from academic to relationship and friends. This condition of mine causes terrible headache and memory loss because of improper blood flow to my brain. Looking back to my days at school I was academically gifted and was *very* good at everything that I did except for sports. When this condition struck me it struck me hard, from someone securing very good grades I started to fail in my class. This was just the trigger required to my relatives to taunt and put me down which they could not do earlier. To me of all, academic drop was and is the biggest shock that I have ever and will have.

That wasn't the stop it physically drained me so much that I looked like malnourished child or someone who had starved or living on one meal for years . I was given a long list of things to do and not to by the doctors, which was hard to follow considering that I was a school going. I tried to move on and study harder but it did not help me either, I could not retain what I had studied because of poor memory. I visited several doctors to find a cure but failed at every avenue that I went to . I failed thrice in a class and wasted 3 long years and couldn't do much except listen to people mocking me at stages of life .

Relationships suffered, no friends because I could not hang out or help myself at sports . To this day I do not have anyone ( yea, none) to talk to and share my feelings , the words I speak on daily basis are countable, such is my situation. I do have a degree and have CGPA of 7 but I can not recollect anything from the years that I studied.

Being 25 I have already lost faith in life , feels like I'm being punished for things that I haven't committed like my issues isn't what I wanted or desired for. For the past 13 years I've being having headache every single day and it just doesn't seem to go and also bad memory which comes along it.

But for the past few days my headache seems to have resided and all thanks to gemstone therapy but the disaster left behind is no less than a torture for me. The depression is very hard on me , none to talk , no job, want to get my master degree but struggling to find a college and * Depression*. The only thing that I'm proud of is I write, something similar to sonnet and people who get to read it have appreciated me a lot and I feel extremely good when someone praises my work.

Why am I put through this much of ordeal , is it normal ?

I just want to see light now , new beginning and best of life because this is not self infused and I want justice ( Okay , I'm rambling)

But why am I being punished for health condition , can't I have a normal healthy life with friends , relationships and success or is it too much that I asking for?

Please note I stay with my parents and they don't know about my reverted to Islam because that would be serious disaster and hence I cannot pray 5 times a day and I did search masjid but they are very far from my place.

I was offering my dhuhr salah a couple of days ago and I could not continue the whole salah because of depression ,I don't know how to explain the overwhelming feelings that it has sank me in .

I was listening to YouTube video of brother Omar Suleiman in which he spoke about dua can change qadr, I need help .

Expect all the well informed people here on the board to help me with this.

Pardon my language as I'm writing this 5:30 am without any sleep


Jazak Allahu Khyr



Replies:
Posted By: MIAW
Date Posted: 17 April 2018 at 1:03am
Wa AlaikumusSalamu Wa RahmatulLahi Wa Barakaatuhu Wa Maghfiratuh,

This life is full of trials, tribulations, afflictions...etc, to 'test' of how patient and steadfast we can be.

On the authority of Suhaib (may Allaah be pleased with him) he said: The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam said:

“Amazing is the affair of the believer, verily all of his affair is good and this is not for no one except the believer. If something of good/happiness befalls him he is grateful and that is good for him. If something of harm befalls him he is patient and that is good for him” (Saheeh Muslim #2999)


Prophet Ayyub (Job) AS was extremely patient. His patience has been so exemplary that it is mentioned in the Qur'an. Research and Read about it.

http://hadithoftheday.com/ayyub/" rel="nofollow - http://hadithoftheday.com/ayyub/

http://https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=patience+in+islam&oq=Patience+in+islam&aqs=chrome.0.0l6.10331j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8" rel="nofollow - A lso: Google: Patience in Islam

Do not underestimate the Power of 'Duaa'. Keep making Duaa all the time, and do not expect an 'immediate' acceptance/reply from Allah SWT to your Duaa... just be patient.

And whatever you do... do not lose faith!

May Allah SWT Give you (and Give all of us) enough patience to remain steadfast in the face of all life's trials, tribulations and calamities. Aameen.









Posted By: MIAW
Date Posted: 17 April 2018 at 1:16am

The believer’s attitude towards calamities


Question: 

If a calamity befalls the Muslim in his health or his wealth, etc, what is the correct way of dealing with it according to Islam?.


Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly: 

Calamities and disasters are a test, and they are a sign of Allaah’s love for a person, because they are like medicine: even though it is bitter, despite its bitterness you give it to the one whom you love – and for Allaah is the highest description. In the saheeh hadeeth it says: “The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allaah loves a people He tests them. Whoever accepts that wins His pleasure but whoever is discontent with that earns His wrath.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (2396) and Ibn Maajah (4031); classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi

Calamities are good for the believer in the sense that reward is stored up for him the Hereafter thereby; how can it be otherwise when he is raised in status thereby and his bad deeds are expiated? The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When Allaah wills good for His slave, He hastens the punishment for him in this world, and when Allaah wills ill for His slave, he withholds the punishment for his sins from him until he comes with all his sins on the Day of Resurrection.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (2396); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi

Al-Hasan al-Basri (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “Do not resent the calamities that come and the disasters that occur, for perhaps in something that you dislike will be your salvation, and perhaps in something that you prefer will be your doom.” 

Al-Fadl ibn Sahl said: “There is a blessing in calamity that the wise man should not ignore, for it erases sins, gives one the opportunity to attain the reward for patience, dispels negligence, reminds one of blessings at the time of health, calls one to repent and encourages one to give charity. 

Through calamity the believer seeks reward, and there is no way to attain it but patience, and there is no way to be patient except with resolute faith and strong will. 

Remember the words of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for his affairs are all good, and this applies to no one but the believer. If something good happens to him, he is thankful for it and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience and that is good for him.” (Narrated by Muslim, 2999).  

So if calamity befalls a Muslim, he must say Inna Lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’oon (Verily to Allah we belong and unto Him is our return), and say the du’aa’s that have been narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). 

How wonderful are those moments in which a person turns to his Lord and knows that He alone is the One Who grants relief from distress. How great is the relief when it comes after hardship. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“but give glad tidings to As‑ Saabiroon (the patient).

156. Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: ‘Truly, to Allaah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.’

157. They are those on whom are the Salawaat (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”

[al-Baqarah 2:155-157] 

Muslim (918) narrated that Umm Salamah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “There is no Muslim who is stricken with a calamity and says what Allaah has enjoined – ‘Verily to Allaah we belong and unto Him is our return. O Allaah, reward me for my affliction and compensate me with something better’ – but Allaah will compensate him with something better.” 

She said: When Abu Salamah died, I said: Who among the Muslims is better than Abu Salamah, the first household to migrate to join the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)? Then I said it, and Allaah compensated me with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). 

Secondly: 

There are things which, if the one who is stricken with calamity thinks about them, that will make the calamity easier for him to bear. 

In his valuable book Zaad al-Ma’aad (4/189-195), Ibn al-Qayyim has mentioned several things, including the following:  

1 – If he looks at what has befallen him, he will find that what his Lord has left for him is similar to it or better than it, and if he is patient and accepts it, He has stored up for him something that is many times greater than what he has lost through this calamity, and if He willed He could have made the calamity even greater. 

2 – The fire of calamity can be extinguished by thinking of those who have been hit even harder. Let him look to his right, does he see anything but calamity? Then let him look to his left, does he see anything but loss? If he were to look at the people around him, he would not see anything but people who are tested, either by missing out on something that they like, or by having happen to them that which they dislike. The pains of this world are like dreams or like a passing shadow. If you laugh a little you will weep a lot, and if you are happy for a day you will be miserable for a lifetime, and if you have what you want for a little while, you will be deprived for a long time. There is no day of happiness but it is followed by a day of pain. Ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: For every moment of joy there is a moment of sorrow, and no house is filled with joy but it will be filled with sorrow. And Ibn Sireen said: There is never any laughter but there comes weeping after it. 

3 – It should be noted that panicking will not make the calamity go away, and in fact it makes it worse. 

4 – It should be noted that missing out on the reward for patience and surrender, which is mercy and guidance that Allaah has granted as the reward for patience and turning to Him (by saying Inna Lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’oon (Verily to Allah we belong and unto Him is our return)), is worse than the calamity itself. 

5 – It should be noted that panicking makes one’s enemy rejoice and makes one’s friend feel sad; it makes Allaah angry and makes the shaytaan happy; it destroys reward and weakens resolve. If he is patient, seeks reward, strives to please Allaah, to make his friend happy and to make his enemy sad, and seeks to relieve his brothers of their burdens and to console them before they console him, this is steadfastness and a sign of perfection – not slapping one's cheeks, rending one's garment, wishing for death and being discontent with the divine decree. 

6 – It should be noted that what comes after being patient and seeking reward is pleasure and joy that is many times greater than what he could have got from keeping what he lost. Sufficient for him is the “house of praise” that will be built for him in Paradise as a reward for his praising his Lord and turning to Him (by saying Inna Lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’oon (Verily to Allah we belong and unto Him is our return)). So let him decide which of the two calamities is greater: a calamity in this world, or the calamity of missing out on the house of praise in eternal Paradise.  In al-Tirmidhi it is narrated in a marfoo’ report: “On the Day of Resurrection people will wish that their skins had been cut with scissors in this world, when they see the reward of those who were struck with calamity.” One of the salaf said: Were it not for the calamities of this world, we would come empty-handed on the Day of Resurrection. 

7 – It should be noted that the One Who is testing him is the Most Wise and the Most Merciful, and that He – may He be glorified – did not send this calamity in order to destroy him or cause him pain or finish him off, rather He is checking on him, testing his patience, acceptance and faith; it is so that He may hear his du’aa’ and supplication, so that He may see him standing before Him, seeking protection, filled with humility and complaining to Him. 

8 – It should be noted that were it not for the trials and tribulations of this world, a person could develop arrogance, self-admiration, a pharaonic attitude and hardheartedness which would lead to his doom in this world and in the Hereafter. It is a sign of the mercy of the Most Merciful that He checks on him from time to time with the remedy of calamity so as to protect him from these diseases, to keep his submission and servitude sound, and to eliminate all bad elements that may lead to his doom. Glory be to the One Who shows mercy by means of testing, and tests by means of blessing, as it is said: 

Allaah may bless us with calamities even if that is hard, and Allaah may test some people with blessings. 

9 – It should be noted that the bitterness of this world is the essence of sweetness in the Hereafter, as Allaah will turn the former into the latter. Similarly the sweetness of this world is the essence of bitterness in the Hereafter. It is better to move from temporary bitterness to eternal sweetness than the other way round. If this is still not clear to you, then think of what the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Paradise is surrounded with difficulties, and Hell is surrounded with desires.” End quote. 

Thirdly: 

In many cases, if a person responds well to calamity, they understand that it is a blessing and a gift, not a test. 

Shaykh al-Islam [Ibn Taymiyah] (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: A calamity that makes you turn to Allaah is better for you than a blessing which makes you forget the remembrance of Allaah.” 

Sufyaan said: What a person dislikes may be better for him than what he likes, because what he dislikes causes him to call upon Allaah, whereas what he likes may make him heedless. 

Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) regarded his imprisonment as a blessing that had been caused by his enemies. 

Ibn al-Qayyim said: One day he – meaning Ibn Taymiyah – said to me: What can my enemies do to me? My garden is in my heart; wherever I go it is with me and never leaves me. My detainment is seclusion (an opportunity for worship), my being killed is martyrdom, and being expelled from my city is a journey.

 He used to say of his detainment in the citadel: If I were to spend the fill of this citadel in gold, that would not be sufficient to express my gratitude for this blessing. Or he said: That would not be sufficient to reward them for what they have brought to me of goodness. 

When he was imprisoned, he used to say when prostrating: “O Allaah, help me to remember You, give thanks to You and to worship You well. Ma sha Allaah. He said to me (Ibn al-Qayyim) one day: The one who is really detained is the one who keeps his heart away from his Lord, and the real prisoner is the one is captive to his whims and desires. When he entered the citadel and was within its walls, he looked at it and said: “So a wall will be put up between them, with a gate therein. Inside it will be mercy, and outside it will be torment” [al-Hadeed 57:13]. Allaah knows that I have never seen anyone who was more content with his life than him, despite all the hardship that he experienced, and the lack of luxury and comfort, in fact the opposite of that, and despite the imprisonment, threats and exhaustion that he faced; despite all of that, he was the happiest of people with his life, the most content, the most courageous, the most satisfied. You could see the signs of joy and happiness in his face. When we felt afraid and were expecting calamity, and we had nowhere to turn, we would go to him and as soon as we saw him and heard his voice, all those fears disappeared and were replaced with contentment, courage, certainty and tranquility. Glory be to the One who showed some of His slaves His Paradise before they met Him, and opened its gates to them when they were still in this world of deeds and actions, so some of its breezes and fragrance came to them, which made them devote their energy to seeking it and competing in attaining it. End quote. 

Al-Waabil al-Sayyib (p. 110).



Posted By: Atra
Date Posted: 18 April 2018 at 6:34am
Assalamu alaykum brother,

I have a neck disease (spine) and because of it, I have my left part of the body very weak and a lot of dizziness for the same reason as you do and the problem with memory. Not only that my whole left part of the body is weak but also stoned and very painful. I need medical massages every day.

3 months ago I quit drinking coffee for some other reasons and I switched it with a lot of tea: black in a morning and 2L different herbal tea during the day. My memory is way better, concentration as well but most important is that I have no dizziness at all. My left part of the body is way better and relaxed. I'm not stoned anymore and I don't need massages at all. 

If I'd try to explain this to my doctors they'd be in wonder because basically, my spine blocks blood circulation to my brain and also blocks all the nerves. It seems that coffee makes it way worse for so many reasons. 

Next: I had really difficult 7-11 years of life till recently. By 7-11 I mean few months of normal life. I was very sick, very poor and very alone. Even though I have a family, a lots of friends, etc, nobody was in a position to help me in any way. Even though I have a great university degree and super skills I still had poverty issues. My life was impossible and I had all the doors locked. I fell into deep depression and also I had suicidal thoughts. I have a really strong iman, but in the end - yes, I didn't care anymore for myself so I was near to suicide. 

But, I struggled and fought with myself and my life in many ways, and this is what happened:

1. Deep tawba
No matter I was a believer and did a lot of repentance before, read and memorized Quran a lot... I realized that I need to do repentance over and over until I become disgusted by any form of sin. I did it with visualizing whole my life since I became responsible for my deeds. 

2. Sincere talk to Allah

If you understand who is your Lord, everything will be way easier. He knows you better than yourself. He sees you all the time. He knows your thoughts, desires, etc. If you have a bad desire, but you pretend you don't, you're actually lying to Allah. So tell Him everything. If you can cry out to your mother, imagine what you can do to the One Who Created you! Tell him "I don't understand this and that, please guide me." Tell Him: "I have desire for that and that and I'm sorry." Ask Him everything!

3. Qiyam

Wake up before Fajr and do salaat. Right before Fajr make dua for anything you need. 

4. Hamd

This may be the easiest thing and also the hardest, but my favorite one. When you go to bed, close your eyes and think of all blessings you have from Allah and repeat Alhamdulillah. Remember what you ate today, remember your shower and thank Him for warm and clean water, shower gel, shampoo, electricity, your clothes, living indoor, being on the bed (a lots of people don't have any of this and it's a real blessing). Syrian people would give everything to live our lives. Say thanks for the peace, for the sun, for no earthquake today... Don't think of your hardship at all, focus only on every single positive thing. Allah promised that he'll give more and more to grateful ones. 

In the end, you will realize that your hardship had a sense for you will become a big person, very wise and successful. Be patient and do what I suggested you. 





Posted By: asep garut
Date Posted: 19 April 2018 at 10:12am
Originally posted by Atra Atra wrote:

Assalamu alaykum brother,

I have a neck disease (spine) and because of it, I have my left part of the body very weak and a lot of dizziness for the same reason as you do and the problem with memory. Not only that my whole left part of the body is weak but also stoned and very painful. I need medical massages every day.

3 months ago I quit drinking coffee for some other reasons and I switched it with a lot of tea: black in a morning and 2L different herbal tea during the day. My memory is way better, concentration as well but most important is that I have no dizziness at all. My left part of the body is way better and relaxed. I'm not stoned anymore and I don't need massages at all. 

If I'd try to explain this to my doctors they'd be in wonder because basically, my spine blocks blood circulation to my brain and also blocks all the nerves. It seems that coffee makes it way worse for so many reasons. 

Next: I had really difficult 7-11 years of life till recently. By 7-11 I mean few months of normal life. I was very sick, very poor and very alone. Even though I have a family, a lots of friends, etc, nobody was in a position to help me in any way. Even though I have a great university degree and super skills I still had poverty issues. My life was impossible and I had all the doors locked. I fell into deep depression and also I had suicidal thoughts. I have a really strong iman, but in the end - yes, I didn't care anymore for myself so I was near to suicide. 

But, I struggled and fought with myself and my life in many ways, and this is what happened:

1. Deep tawba
No matter I was a believer and did a lot of repentance before, read and memorized Quran a lot... I realized that I need to do repentance over and over until I become disgusted by any form of sin. I did it with visualizing whole my life since I became responsible for my deeds. 

2. Sincere talk to Allah

If you understand who is your Lord, everything will be way easier. He knows you better than yourself. He sees you all the time. He knows your thoughts, desires, etc. If you have a bad desire, but you pretend you don't, you're actually lying to Allah. So tell Him everything. If you can cry out to your mother, imagine what you can do to the One Who Created you! Tell him "I don't understand this and that, please guide me." Tell Him: "I have desire for that and that and I'm sorry." Ask Him everything!

3. Qiyam

Wake up before Fajr and do salaat. Right before Fajr make dua for anything you need. 

4. Hamd

This may be the easiest thing and also the hardest, but my favorite one. When you go to bed, close your eyes and think of all blessings you have from Allah and repeat Alhamdulillah. Remember what you ate today, remember your shower and thank Him for warm and clean water, shower gel, shampoo, electricity, your clothes, living indoor, being on the bed (a lots of people don't have any of this and it's a real blessing). Syrian people would give everything to live our lives. Say thanks for the peace, for the sun, for no earthquake today... Don't think of your hardship at all, focus only on every single positive thing. Allah promised that he'll give more and more to grateful ones. 

In the end, you will realize that your hardship had a sense for you will become a big person, very wise and successful. Be patient and do what I suggested you. 


Excellent experience and struggle.
Good point for you sister Atra.



Posted By: Dr. Aslam
Date Posted: 25 April 2018 at 12:27pm
Salam Alaikum
Your health is as important as your iman.
Please continue to make dua while seeking professional help from health workers.
May Allah help you overcome your difficulties.



-------------
Best Regards,
Aslam Abdullah



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