How Faith Helps You Through Difficult Times: An Islamic Perspective

Our lives are full of challenges, periods during which nothing seems to go their way or our way no matter how hard we pray or ask for help. However, despite this, every situation has a meaning in the eyes of Allah, and its a test from Allah. It is impossible to stay unhappy all our life, however, these difficulties are an inherent part of the path. In the Islamic faith, these hardships are viewed as a way to show devotion to Allah and course correct.

You Are Never Truly Alone

Perhaps the greatest comfort in faith is the awareness of God’s nearness. For example, Allah says in the Qur’an that He is closer to us than our jugular vein, closer than anything we can discern with our physical bodies. So that even in a world where we feel alone and that there is no one who understands what we’re going through, we are never really alone as Allah is with us at all times. We may not know what a trial in our lives is, but we can take comfort in the fact that nothing is hidden from Allah nor does anything happen without his permission.

Hardship Carries Meaning, Not Punishment

Islam does not glorify difficulty and hardship as a sign of God’s abandonment. The trials that are described in the Qur’an are all testing, and tests are for those who can benefit from them. Suffering is not glorified in Islam, but the Islamic worldview holds that suffering can be a means through which people can change. It can make arrogant hearts humble, dispel lethargy, and make one turn back to their Lord. What appears to be an end can become the beginning of something one could never have reached otherwise.

Sabr: The Strength to Remain Steadfast

Sabr usually means patience but it is a more complex concept. It includes a number of meanings ranging from perseverance to resilience and even to faith. When you exercise sabr you display a refusal to be overwhelmed by what is happening at the moment. You still do what is right even when it is inconvenient and do not despair even when standing in front of true evil. You can even shed tears of grief and frustration and still be exercising sabr since it is not a virtue that allows you to pretend that everything is fine.

Verily, with hardship is ease; indeed, with hardship comes

ِإَّن َمَع اْلُعْسًر ُيْسًر۝ِإَّن َمَع اْلُعْسًر ُيْسًرا

Surah Ash-Sharh (94:5-6)

Tawakkul: Trusting What You Cannot Control

Alongside sabr is tawakkul, putting faith in Allah, but after one has done everything possible in one’s power to achieve a goal. This concept is often misunderstood, as it actually demands persistence from a believer. The latter has to try, seek help, and do all that is possible to resolve an issue. Only when these efforts are exhausted can a Muslim entrust the result to Allah’s will. This turns out to be an effective way to escape the frustration of trying to control everything and to deal responsibly with what is in one’s power.

Duā: A channel to release Pain

When emotional burden becomes too much to bear on one’s own, Islam introduces a concept of duʿā, which can be used by anyone needing support and wishing to relieve their mind. Through it, one can speak to Allah directly and most importantly, not hold back, saying exactly what is needed to help one’s soul heal. Although duʿā may or may not have an immediate effect on one’s circumstances, as situations will always manifest in your favour even if they are against your wish. This is the essence of Tawakkul to have a positive outlook no matter what and how things turn out to be.

Refusing Despair

One of the clearest injunctions of Islam during times of hardship is a caution against despairing about the mercy of Allah. Disappointment fosters the feeling that no improvement is forthcoming, as opposed to faith which suggests a possibility that it may just not be apparent yet. The subtle difference between these two world-views, ‘it will never improve’ as opposed to ‘I can see how it will improve’, can change how a person perceives their entire situation. Its the beautiful dance between fear and faith.

Power Of Astaghfar / Repentence

It is the way of releasing burdens, self reflection and a commitment to be a better version of self aligned with Divine. A journey from fear, anxiety, confusion to faith and clarity. It strengthens the aura, foundational to spiritual celanse.

Ease Within Hardship

The Qur’an has a wonderful promise that after hardship comes ease, which is mentioned twice. It does not mean that every hardship will be followed by ease quickly, but it means that there is always something that can help you in your hard times. There are always things you can learn, strength to be gained, and opportunities that appear even in the darkest times, but they only become apparent when the right moment comes.

A Different Way of Walking

Islam does not promise a trial-free life. It presents a pathway to a life of trials with Allah in companionship. A hard time doesn’t last forever, and a closed door doesn’t necessarily signify that the road ahead is barred. In faith, the open road is oftentimes the willingness to continue walking without seeing the end and knowing that the same mercy that brought you to the crossroads will get you through it.