Four Options for Dealing with Affliction

If a calamity befalls you-may Allah forbid-there’re only four doors. You have to go through one of them

And you free to go through whatever door you choose

The first door is near and easy open

Therefore, most people choose

Which is the door of discontent, rage and impatience- we seek refuge in Allah from it

Second Option for Affliction

The second doo is heavy which is difficult to open, that’s why most people stay away from it

They know not that once it is opened and they enter the pain of affliction will ease

I can’t promise you that the heartbreak will be relieved completely

And I can’t tell you that the pain will end, but it will be less painful

Lesser than if you chose the first door, the door of discontent and rejection to what Allah decreed

Third Option

Incidentally, there is a third door

which is heavier than the door of patience and more difficult to open

And honestly, fewer people choose to enter it

But the difference is that the affliction/calamity becomes even less painful to them than to those who enter through the door of patience

As behind this door are calmness, tranquility, satisfaction and a reassured soul

There’s a door made of steel, yet the its key is mad of date palm leaves

A steel door and its key is made of the leaves of the palm tree!

What is that door?

It is called the door of contentment with the decree

To be pleased with Allah and what He has decreed for you of afflictions and trials

But what is the difference between this door and the door of patience?

Those who show patience still feel the pain of the affliction/caamity, and also do those of contentment

But the difference is that those who show patience hate the pain resulting from the trial

wishing for the end of pain

Whereas those who are content don’t hate this pain. One might ask how can you be content while they still feeling the pain?

It is illogical

being patient when afflicted with pain and affliction is understandable

But to be content with that pain. How come?

How can someone be content with pain?

Sure, they can

We do the same  in our lives generally

Don’t we go to the doctor begging for injection to relieve pain?

Even though we hate the pain of injections; it is painful yet we readily accept it

We even pay money for it

What this is called?

It is called content and satisfaction

So, pain and content may come together!

And the people of that door, the door of content, will have great rewards  on the day of Judgment

Do you know what will they be rewarded by?

Allah (Exalted be He) will give them what is even more precious than Paradise, eternal abide therein, its rivers and blessed dwellings

Listen to what Allah (Exalted be He) said in Surat At-Tawbah: “Allah has promised the believing men and believing women gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and pleasant dwellings in gardens of perpetual residence; but approval from Allah is greater.”

Meaning that good pleasure of Allah is greater than all the above

“It is that which is the great attainment” (At-Tawbah 9:72)

Indeed, by Allah, it is the great attainment

Indeed, a great attainment as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that whoever is content with calamity and trial wins the pleasure of Allah (Exalted be He)

Praise be to Allah, this is justice

Whoever enters the door of patience will get the reward

And those who go through the door of content for them is the pleasure of Allah

Each will be rewarded according to their deeds

Now, is there still something?

Is there a higher level than all of these?

Yes, there is

Fourth, Highest Option

There is a fourth door

Is it better than patience and even content?

Yes

Yes, it is better than patience, and better than content

This door is rare

not anyone can go through it

If you were from the people who go through this door, then congratulations!

Then it is done, you are at the highest levels

What can I do more than being patient upon calamity and even being content with it?

The highest, the best and the most superior thing is to be grateful to Allah (Exalted be He) that He struck you with this calamity

Then you will reach a point where you would feel joy because of this trial

Someone might say, no this unreasonable, imaginary, there is no such thing in real life

Who told you this?

I will give you an example of yourself

Now, if we assume that your manager or boss said: “Here’s the new law: If a client has an argument with you and insults you then we will give you the wage of half a month as a compensation at the end of the month”

And even if this happens twice a month, we will give a whole month’s salary as a bonus

This is a new law

What will happen to you the following day at work?

Will you be happy if a client had an argument with you?

By Allah, we will be happy, and what’s more, be sad if no one got into argument with us

What has changed?

Why were  you before you and now after the new instructions are you happy?

Because of the certainty that you will get a a whole month’s salary as a bonus at the end of the month

This bonus is more important than the insult or the argument of clients

Look at those on social media who feel joyful over people’s affronts against them in order to sue them and receive financial compensation

Well, and Allah’s is the highest attribute

Allah (Exalted be He) has promised us forgiveness for our sins and rewards when afflicted with a calamity

It’s the rewards that come with the calamity, not the bonus pay, that should give us pleasure

Money is for this life, whereas rewards are for the Hereafter

“And the Hereafter is better for you than the first life, And your Lord is going to give you, and you will be satisfied.” (Ad-Duha 93:4)