From Suffering to Healing

From Suffering to Healing

Suffering is a fact of life that none can break away from regardless of age,
culture, or social rank.

Suffering may be physical, like illnesses, or emotional, like frustrations
or losing those whom we love or failing in any aspect of our lives. Hardly
anyone escapes one or more of these aspects throughout life. Sometimes we
ask ourselves why God destines us to have suffering and what benefits will
He gain by watching us in pain.

According to Islamic faith, Allah (God) in His wisdom prescribed suffering
for essential purposes. Only the believers know this wisdom and feel its
sweetness in their hearts. In Arabic language, the word for "suffering" is
ibtilaa', which constitutes a big philosophy in Islamic thought and is the
title of a major chapter in all books of faith in this religion.

For the unjust, suffering is a punishment. This is a fact that has long been
proved in scriptures when they tell about the fate of the people of Lot, the
Pharaoh and his army, the people of Noah, etc. As for those who believe,
even if they are sinners, ibtilaa' carries a different message rather than
punishment. It could be a test through which Allah may want to elevate His
pious servants to higher ranks in the hereafter.

In this context Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "If Allah wants
to do good to somebody, He afflicts him with trials" (Al-Bukhari). This
trial could be as serious as losing one's sight or having any other weakness
or sickness. Allah says in a hadith qudsi, "If I deprive My slave of his two
beloved things (his two eyes) and he remains patient, I will let him enter
Paradise in compensation for them" (Al-Bukhari).

I do believe that this is the reason all Allah's messengers were tried in
this life: Think of Jesus when he was betrayed and driven to the threat of
the cross, before he was uplifted and rescued by God. Think of Muhammad who
lost five of his six children, including the only male child, during his
life as a father. Think of Job and his long suffering with sickness. Think
of all the rest: None of them lead a normal, cozy life; Allah made them
suffer because He loved them.

The purpose of this ibtilaa' could be otherwise. It could be a means to
clean away the believer's sins and bring him or her back to his or her
earlier purity. In this meaning our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him)
said, "No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor
distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a
thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that" (Al-Bukhari). He
also said, "No Muslim is afflicted with any harm but for that Allah will
remove his sins as the leaves of tree fall down" (Al-Bukhari).

It is human nature that when man is in trouble, he comes closer to Allah,
running to Him in prayer and supplication, refraining from the stray path
that he has led. When one is worn out with one of these tests of life, one
starts to rethink and reconsiders one's course of life and may determine to
change.

I recall the story of Cat Stevens, the British pop star who was world-famous
during the 1960s. He used to lead a life that was the furthest from
God-fearing till he got severe pneumonia and was close to death. While he
was relating his story, he said that during his moments of consciousness he
only thought of his past life and the sins he used to commit. He regretted
doing them and was afraid of not having time to change. But, by the mercy of
Allah, he recovered and went back to life to fill it with piety, good deeds,
social services, and most important, with a decent art that was again a
source of pleasure to his fans. In cases as such, ibtilaa' becomes a mercy
and a bounty from the Creator rather than a sign of anger.

Two reactions are expected from the believers once they are exposed to any
suffering, in order to deserve the price of either erasing their sins or
elevating their rank in Paradise. The first one is to show patience, and the
second is to show gratitude to God for sending them this test. God says in
Qur'an what means:

*{Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without
measure.}* (Az-Zumar 39:10)

Don't think that patience and gratitude are easy reactions. In fact, they
need a lot of training till they become an inherent behavior. It is useful
for the suffering ones to understand that showing intolerance or feeling
annoyance or displeasure in relation to what God destines for them, may
deprive them of the fruitful reward of ibtilaa'. This fact may help them to
discipline themselves to these noble reactions and help them overcome the
natural human feelings of shock and panic to reach this super-human feeling
of acceptance and contentment.

Useful Links:

Patience of Believers

http://www.islamonline.net/english/introducingislam/Individual/article01.shtml

A Muslim Woman's Reflections on Loss

http://www.islamonline.net/english/introducingislam/Individual/article04.shtml

Willimantic Man With AIDS: "Now I'm Dying to Live."

http://www.islamonline.net/English/introducingislam/Worship/Heart/article07.shtml

Grant Me Patience. Right Now!!!

http://www.islamonline.net/english/journey/2005/12/jour01.shtml

Grief and Religion

http://www.islamonline.net/English/introducingislam/Worship/Heart/article05.shtml



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