Much as I wish to live a happy life
I am compelled to live a miserable one. My aspirations are shattered and
my dreams are eroded beyond repair. The peace and serenity I plan to bring
to my life is somehow impeded by the irony of fate. One after the other
obstacles keep popping up, eventually leaving me weary and tired. Paradoxically,
the more perseverance I demonstrate, the more trying circumstances I am
put through. Increased patience, instead of attracting the favors of Heaven,
adds to my misery and grief. So much so, the friends and the relations
I trust and hold dear seem to have little time for my recurring problems.
The earth appears to be narrow despite all its spaciousness while the Almighty
seems to be so apathetic to inequity. As I deliberate, this hum of complaints
turns into a full-blown pandemonium engendering in me feelings of hopelessness
and confusion. My desperation reaches to the extent that I clutch my head
between my fists to stop the echo when suddenly a voice whispers in my
ears and says:
‘This is so typical of humans. They
jump so quickly to conclusions no matter if it is their Creator and Cherisher
they are going to pronounce a judgment against. How could it be that their
Master would be ignorant of their circumstances? It is He who places some
in difficulty and some in prosperity according to His own ordained scheme.
The underlying objective, however remains to test them to see which one
of them is best in deeds. The truth is that nothing can ever escape the
watchful eye of the omnipresent and no notion passes through a person’s
heart but He is aware of it. The fact that must be appreciated is that
He is completely devoid of the hastiness that man is brimful with. He neither
rushes to punish the wrongdoers nor does He hurry to reward the pious.
His scheme is firm and His strategy is based on an all-embracing wisdom
and sagacity. He has indeed laid down many objectives for the pains and
agonies that a person has to suffer in this world:
a) To shield him from greater misery (18:74,
18:79),
b) To give him the opportunity to earn reward by showing
patience (3:142, 76:12),
c) To make him mend his ways (30:41),
d) To punish him for his misdoings (42:30).
Hence, if it is not to prevent him from
attracting more problems then it is for affording him a chance to show
perseverance in order to win fabulous rewards. If it is not for cleansing
him of his sins, it is for him to suffer punishment in this very world
to avoid the greater one in the Hereafter. In a nutshell, as one test fulfills
the first objective, the next begins to achieve the second one. Thus move
on the wheel of life always in favor of the rider provided he understands
and appreciates the scheme of the Almighty by surrendering to His will
in all circumstances.
Another fact that a believer must
keep in mind is that the Almighty has ordained that relief shall immediately
follow hardships (94:5-6). He should be hopeful that ease would replace
difficulty when the appointed time comes. The virtue of patience if adhered
to will illuminate his path to help him cruise through difficulties to
his destination. No doubt, there come times in a person’s life when the
flame of this virtue flickers and a sudden upsurge of emotional weariness
endeavors to extinguish it for good. Then the Almighty has provided him
with another weapon to protect and nourish it. A prayer rekindles the flame
of hope and gives the seeker strength and courage to better combat the
tough circumstances. He should place all his feelings and emotions in his
stretched hands and present them humbly before his Master. The Ever Merciful
would surely accept the ‘gift’ and always return the seeker with a better
one…’
You who have done great things,
O God, who is like You?
You who have made me see many
troubles and calamities
will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth
You will bring me up again.
You will increase my honor,
and comfort me once again.
(Psalms, 71:20-1)
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