“Whatever good comes to you, O man, it’s by Allah’s Grace; and whatever evil befalls you, it’s the result of your own doing.” [Qur’an, 4: 79]
Right from his conception until he breathes his last, man faces problems, difficulties, risks and dangers: “Man has been created in difficulties.” [Q, 90:4] These challenges may be in the form of health hazards, diseases, mental disorders, economic or social pressures, family or professional stresses, political crises, or natural disasters. Young or old, weak or strong, rich or poor, black or white, all are equally and randomly exposed to these threats.
Two conclusions are obvious: First, this life is not a fun nor is this world a playground. The life is full of challenges and red-flashes and, thus, must have a serious purpose that needs to be explored. Second, all elements and events that occur in this universe are components of a Master Plan of the Creator. Nothing falls outside the realm of His dominion. What appears random to the human eye is calculated in the Divine Administration. Generally, when people have a comfortable life, they tend to brag and take credit for what they have achieved; but when a tragedy befalls someone, the person impatiently starts questioning: “why me?”: “When We give men a taste of Our benevolence, they start rejoicing in it; and when misfortune befalls them, as a result of what they have done themselves, they begin to despair.” [Q, 30: 36]
Hence, there is a need to understand the nature of the conditions that constantly evolve around us and challenge us in a multitude of ways and develop appropriate responses when faced with harsh realities in order to continue living a normal life of conscience, endurance, and dignity. Equally important is to understand the role of man in this universe around him and his relation to his Creator. These inquisitions are not unrelated rather they have a common thread that underpins the purpose of life.
Pursuant to that, the human sufferings must be looked at from five corners for a comprehensive vision of their origin, impact, and implications:
DIVINE SCHEME:
The Divine Scheme or the Master Plan of Allah SWT is founded on three core elements:
Tawheed: Central to these elements is the concept of Tawheed in Islam. That is, Allah SWT is Sovereign and the legislative authority belongs to Him alone. He can frame laws as He wishes: “…indeed Allah ordains whatever He pleases.” [Q, 5: 1] None has a right to question His decisions nor does anyone have power to alter them. Of course, these laws are based on His infinite Wisdom, Knowledge and Munificence. In addition, nothing can occur, good or bad, without His permission: “No calamity can occur, except by the permission of Allah; and if any one believes in Allah, He guides his heart aright …”[Q, 64:11]
Diversity: The enormous diversity and variations observed across the universe is part of the Master Plan. There is physical diversity, ideological diversity, moral diversity, intellectual diversity, socio-economic diversity, and cultural diversity, just to name a few, that makes this world so rich and fascinating. No two eyes on the same face, for example, are identical, no two twins are identical, no two trees within the same family are identical, no two leaves on the same tree are identical, no two fishes in the ocean are identical, and no two stars in the sky are identical. This speaks for the innovative genius of Allah SWT and His creative power. Just as physical variations, there is diversity in conditions, challenges and afflictions one occasionally faces: “And do not covet what Allah has given some of you more than others: the men shall have their due share according to what they have earned and the women shall have their share according to what they have earned…[Q, 4: 32]. All this is also part of the plan for an administrative global balance.
Purpose of Life: The superiority of man over other creations is because of his intellectual capability, granted by Allah SWT, and his freedom to channel this capability in any direction he chooses. A person’s success or failure, however, depends on how he exercises his freedom of choice and how he behaves when exposed to different sets of conditions. He will fulfill the purpose of his life only if the focal point of all his endeavors is to seek Allah’s Pleasure through obedience to Him under all circumstances: “Lo! We created man from a drop of thickened fluid to test him….whether he be grateful or disbelieving.” [Q, 76: 2-3] And that test could be in any of a variety of forms: “…We shall test you with fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and crops….” [Q, 2: 155]
Even the Prophets of Allah SWT have not been spared from such hardships. In fact, many of them were subjected to extremely arduous conditions. Obviously, they were the most obedient and closest to Allah SWT, yet they were being tested to set examples for others that one must earn what one aspires for: “Do you think that you will enter Paradise while yet there has not come unto you the like of those who came before you? Affliction and adversity befell them, they were shaken as with earthquake, till the messenger (of Allah) and those who believed along with him said: When will come Allah’s help…?” [Q, 2: 214] Family, health, wealth, poverty, authority, and knowledge, for instance, are different forms of test one may be subjected to.
NON-PERMANENCY OF LIFE:
This world and everything in it is temporary. Nothing is durable or dependable, including the earthly life and its enjoyments: “O my people! The life of this world is temporary; only the abode of the Hereafter is permanent.” [Q, 40: 39] Similarly, the conditions one must endure during this short stay on earth are also short lived. No judgment of success or failure can be passed about a person on the basis of transitory circumstances he lives under: “Allah increases or decreases livelihood for whom He will; and they rejoice in the life of the world, whereas the life of the world is but brief comfort as compared with the Hereafter.” [Q, 13: 26] So, sooner or later all conditions people face will come to an end, and what would really matter in the final analysis is how the subject individual lived through those conditions.
CAUSES:
There are internal and external causes for the infliction of calamities on a person. Some wounds, tragically, are self-inflicted. For instance, poor health due to unhealthy diet or bad addictions, poverty due to irresponsible fiscal behavior, stress and mental problems due to material obsession and declining moral values, and dysfunctional family due to a lack of discipline and proper supervision are cases of self-created disasters. All such problems are caused internally because of a deviant and reckless lifestyle: “Whatever misfortune strikes you, it’s for what your own hands have earned; and He forgives much.” [42:30]
On the other hand, there are many afflictions that are beyond one’s control. They are caused externally by the permission of Allah SWT and He alone knows the wisdom behind them: “…Nothing (good or bad) can befall us except what Allah has destined for us…[Q, 9: 51] Famines, draughts, floods, earthquakes, accidents, sicknesses, and loss of loved ones are examples of externally caused afflictions by Allah’s decree.
RESPONSE OF AFFLICTED:
The appropriate response by a person who is suffering from a particular difficulty will depend on the cause of that difficulty and he needs to reflect and find that out. If this problem is caused by his own doings, he is the one who has to fix it. He must take the responsibility of his actions and follow the necessary steps, within his power, to correct the situation before relying on Allah SWT. This is a condition for seeking Allah’s help: “…Allah does not change the conditions of people until they themselves initiate a change.” [Q, 13: 11] Change lifestyle, for example, knock off bad habits that might have caused the problem in the first place, seek medical treatment if necessary, and then turn to Allah SWT for forgiveness and help. It’s just around the corner: “There are the ones who, when they commit any … wrong against themselves, instantly remember Allah and implore forgiveness for their sins… and who do not persist in the wrong they did. They shall be recompensed by forgiveness from their Lord…” [Q, 3: 135-136]
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If the problem is beyond your control, however, and not related to your actions, it’s from Allah SWT, as a temporary trial. Live through it as best as you can with patience. There is an opportunity in it to get closer to Allah SWT. Closeness to Allah SWT brings rewards from Him or invokes His forgiveness for past sins. Those who have faith, their hearts get stronger in difficult moments, as they put their trust in Him: “; and if any one believes in Allah, He guides his heart aright, for Allah knows all things …”[Q, 64:11] The Prophet SAW says: “When Allah SWT intends to favor a person, He puts him through difficulties.” (Bukhari) He further says: “Whatever sufferings a believer goes through, sickness, grief, or even a little thorn pinch, his sins are forgiven for that.” [Bukhari and Muslim] The purpose behind these trials is to see how we behave when surrounded by extraordinary circumstances. We pass the test if our commitment to Allah SWT grows stronger and healthier. When challenged: “…it only increases their faith and submissiveness.” [Q, 33: 22]
Mind that human beings are made of physical body and soul. Many voids can be filled only by reconnecting with Allah SWT and engaging in His remembrance, especially when faced with harsh times: “…Without doubt, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find peace.” [Q, 13: 28] In addition to actively seeking medical care, as appropriate, this is the most effective remedy for stress and blood pressure related ailments.
There are certain things that we must not do, however. Exposing personal problems to others, whining and peevishly complaining in front of irrelevant people, for instance, is to only invite humiliation and more frustration. It’s a cry against Allah’s decision in vain. It is appropriate, though, to discuss problems with those who have expertise and can offer some advice, like a physician or a family counselor, while keeping full trust in Allah SWT as the final Authority Who can provide relief: “…the decision rests with Allah alone…” [Q, 12: 67] Most importantly, do not turn toward anybody considered saint or holy for help other than Allah SWT: “Do not call upon any apart from Allah – on those who have no power to benefit or hurt you…” [Q, 10: 106]. Approaching those who themselves are dependent on Allah SWT for their survival or even salvation, is a serious violation of Allah’s Sovereignty and is considered a major sin (shirk): “…For if you call upon others than Allah you will be reckoned among the wrong-doers.” [Q, 10: 106]
RESPONSIBILITY OF SOCIETY:
While it’s a test for a person or a group of people who is subjected to harsh conditions by Allah SWT, the bigger trial is, however, for those who are around the victim(s), such as family members, relatives, friends, community members, and the society at large. The first and foremost thing that one must do is to be grateful to Allah SWT for being spared from the calamities that others could not escape. The best way to express this gratitude, however, is to do whatever possible to alleviate the sufferings of those who have fallen victims – an opportunity that must not be missed to stretch out a helping hand to those in need.
Islam views humanity as one global family. This is how Allah SWT Himself envisions the children of Adam: “O mankind, We have created you from one male and female…” [Q, 49: 13] The Prophet SAW frequently reminded that loving and caring for fellow humans is the essence of Islam. He called himself a slave of Allah SWT and a servant of humanity. He described humanity as family of Allah and the most beloved of Allah SWT is he who loves Allah’s family. The best among you, says the Prophet SAW, is he who is best to his fellow humans. He warns that iman (faith) is not complete if you have a full fill and your neighbor is hungry. Allah SWT, he further says, does not show His mercy to those who show no mercy to fellow humans. [Bukhari, Muslim] Part of a Muslim’s obligations toward a Muslim is to help him in time of his ordeal.
In conclusion, when people find themselves in trying circumstances, they may re-gain moral strength in the supplications offered by the Prophet SAW: O’ Living Allah and Controller of the universe, I call upon your Mercy to grant me an outlet from this imposing hardship and restore my condition for the best. Thus, faith in Allah is the link to relief, safety, and peace: “…In Allah let believers put their faith.” [Q, 3: 160]
Islamic Point of View 