মোঃ শফিকুল ইসলাম প্রিয়I will share a story with you; The story my father told me. When something bad happened to me as a child, my father used to comfort me by telling me this little story. That is, he used to inspire me to hold on. It amazes me how much positivity there is, then people can tell stories like this. In fact, my father was a source of positivity and a sea of inspiration for me.
Let’s share the story-
A farmer lived in a village. He grew a variety of crops. He was so skilled in farming that what he cultivated produced very good yields. There was no problem with his crops, not even any wild elephants attacking his crops. But the crops of many farmers around him were eaten and destroyed by wild elephants.
But this farmer had a bad temper. He did not pray, did not pay zakat of crops, or give any charity. An old man advised the farmer that if he prayed and gave zakat, his crops would increase. Allah will increase his sustenance. As advised by the old man, the farmer started offering prayers and started giving various donations including zakat of crops.
Like every year, the farmer cultivated the crops as usual. Day by day the farmer’s crops became more beautiful. Dakshina air is played in the farmer’s crop field, and the farmer’s heart is filled with joy. He became more grateful to Allah and increased his charity.
One morning the farmer finished his daily prayers and went to the field to inspect his crops. But what he saw made his heart sink. A herd of wild elephants has eaten some of his fields. The farmer was very upset and ran to the old man who advised him to pray zakat and charity. The old man told him that he has no remedy or explanation. Disappointment in the mind and face of the farmer. The farmer shouted, “I started worshipping Allah according to your advice, even after this happened to me; If you don’t explain it, who do I go to? The old man stroked his white beard and replied, “There is a very pious scholar at one end of the city, if you can go to him he may hopefully be able to explain this to you.”
The farmer took the scholar’s address from the old man and without delay ran to the city and found the scholar and shared all the details with him. After hearing all the words of the farmer, Alem got worried for a while and said-
“All the creatures of the earth want to eat halal and holy food. For so long you did not pay zakat on crops so your crops were impure and haram for animals. Now that you have believed in Allah and started paying zakat on crops your crops have become holy for animals. It is legal. That’s why the animals have eaten some of your crops. There is nothing to be upset about, but thank God for the fact that you have been the source of food for those animals.” Tears came to the farmer’s eyes after hearing all the words of the scholar. He prostrated to Allah and repented to Allah and expressed gratitude.
This was the story told by my father, if you notice that if we know the underlying secret of everything, our horizons expand and it becomes easier to grasp a bad situation.
Let’s see how we can be positive in all situations and know in the light of the Quran and The Hadith-
Introduction:
Life is an intricate journey that presents us with a multitude of experiences, both pleasant and challenging. During times of difficulty and hardship, maintaining a positive outlook can be a tremendous source of strength and resilience. In Islam, the Quran and Hadith provide invaluable guidance on how to navigate adverse circumstances while fostering an optimistic mindset. This article explores the teachings of Islam that encourage believers to remain positive in the face of adversity.
- Trust in Allah’s Wisdom:
Islam emphasizes the belief in Allah’s ultimate wisdom and His control over all affairs. The Quran states,
وَ لَنَبۡلُوَنَّکُمۡ بِشَیۡءٍ مِّنَ الۡخَوۡفِ وَ الۡجُوۡعِ وَ نَقۡصٍ مِّنَ الۡاَمۡوَالِ وَ الۡاَنۡفُسِ وَ الثَّمَرٰتِ ؕ وَ بَشِّرِ الصّٰبِرِیۡنَ ﴿۱۵۵﴾ۙ
“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient” (Quran 2:155). Recognizing that hardships are a test from Allah enables individuals to place their trust in Him and seek solace in His divine plan.
- Patience and Perseverance:
Islam places great emphasis on patience and perseverance during difficult times. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for his affairs are all good, and this applies to no one but the believer. If something good happens to him, he is thankful for it and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience, and that is good for him” (Muslim). Practising patience allows one to endure hardships while maintaining a positive attitude.
- Gratitude:
Expressing gratitude is a fundamental aspect of Islamic teachings. Even in the face of adversity, Islam encourages believers to be grateful for the blessings they have. The Quran reminds us,
وَ اِذۡ تَاَذَّنَ رَبُّکُمۡ لَئِنۡ شَکَرۡتُمۡ لَاَزِیۡدَنَّکُمۡ وَ لَئِنۡ کَفَرۡتُمۡ اِنَّ عَذَابِیۡ لَشَدِیۡدٌ ﴿۷﴾
” And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favour]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.” (Quran 14:7). Cultivating an attitude of gratitude helps shift focus from negativity to the countless blessings bestowed upon us by Allah, fostering a positive mindset.
- Seeking Knowledge and Wisdom:
Islam encourages seeking knowledge and understanding as a means of attaining wisdom. During challenging times, gaining knowledge about Islam and reflecting upon its teachings can provide solace and guidance. The Quran affirms,
یٰۤاَیُّهَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اِذَا قِیۡلَ لَکُمۡ تَفَسَّحُوۡا فِی الۡمَجٰلِسِ فَافۡسَحُوۡا یَفۡسَحِ اللّٰهُ لَکُمۡ ۚ وَ اِذَا قِیۡلَ انۡشُزُوۡا فَانۡشُزُوۡا یَرۡفَعِ اللّٰهُ الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا مِنۡکُمۡ ۙ وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اُوۡتُوا الۡعِلۡمَ دَرَجٰتٍ ؕ وَ اللّٰهُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ خَبِیۡرٌ ﴿۱۱﴾
“O you who have believed, when you are told, “Space yourselves” in assemblies, then make space; Allah will make space for you. And when you are told, “Arise,” then arise; Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.” (Quran 58:11). Acquiring knowledge helps individuals develop a broader perspective and find meaning in difficult circumstances.
- Connecting with the Community:
Islam emphasizes the importance of a strong community and seeking support from fellow Muslims. Surrounding oneself with positive and like-minded individuals fosters an environment of encouragement and upliftment. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The believer to another believer is like a building whose different parts support each other” (Bukhari). Engaging with the community helps maintain a positive outlook and provides a network of support during challenging times.
- Dua (Supplication) and Prayer:
Islam encourages believers to turn to Allah in prayer and supplication during times of hardship. Prayer is a powerful tool that brings comfort and strengthens one’s faith. The Quran reassures us,
وَ اسۡتَعِیۡنُوۡا بِالصَّبۡرِ وَ الصَّلٰوۃِ ؕ وَ اِنَّهَا لَکَبِیۡرَۃٌ اِلَّا عَلَی الۡخٰشِعِیۡنَ ﴿ۙ۴۵﴾
“And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah]” (Quran 2:45). Engaging in sincere dua and establishing a strong connection with Allah brings solace and positivity in all circumstances.
Conclusion:
In the face of adversity, Islam provides a comprehensive framework for believers to maintain a positive mindset. Individuals can navigate challenging situations with strength and optimism by placing trust in Allah’s wisdom, practising patience and perseverance, expressing gratitude, seeking knowledge, connecting with the community, and engaging in prayer and supplication. By embracing these teachings from the Quran, Hadith,
and Islamic principles, one can cultivate resilience, inner peace, and a positive outlook on life.
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