Question
I often hear that there is great wisdom behind the calamities that befall people. What is this wisdom?.

Answer

Praise be to Allaah.

Yes, there is great wisdom behind calamities, including the following:

1 – To attain true submission and servitude (‘uboodiyyah) to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds.

Many people are slaves to their whims and desires and are not true slaves of Allaah. They say that they are slaves of Allaah, but when they are tested they turn on their heels and lose out in this world and in the Hereafter, and that is an evident loss. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And among mankind is he who worships Allaah as it were upon the edge (i.e. in doubt): if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him he turns back on his face (i.e. reverts to disbelief after embracing Islam). He loses both this world and the Hereafter. That is the evident loss”

[al-Hajj 22:11]

2 – Trials prepare the believers to prevail on earth

It was said to Imam al-Shaafa’i (may Allaah have mercy on him): Which is better, patience or tests or prevailing? He said: Prevailing is the level attained by the Prophets, and there can be no prevailing except after trials. If a person is tried he will become patient, and if he remains patient he will prevail.

3 – Expiation of sins

al-Tirmidhi (2399) narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Trials will continue to befall the believing man or woman in himself, his child and his wealth until he meets Allaah with no sin on him.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (2399), classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 2280.

It was narrated that Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) “When Allaah wills good for His slave, He hastens the punishment for him in this world, and when Allaah wills ill for His slave, he withholds the punishment for his sins from him his sin until he comes with all his sins on the Day of Resurrection.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (2396); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah (1220).

4 – Attainment of reward and a rise in status

Muslim (2572) narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The believer is not harmed by a thorn or anything greater, but Allaah will raise him in status thereby, or erase a sin thereby.”

5 – Calamities provide an opportunity to think about one's faults and shortcomings and past mistakes.

Because if it is a punishment, what was the sin?

6 – Calamity is a lesson in Tawheed, faith and trust in Allaah

It shows you in a practical sense what you really are, so you will realize that you are a weak slave, and you have no strength and no power except with your Lord, then you will put your trust in Him in a true sense, and will turn to Him in a true sense, and put aside your position, pride, arrogance, self-admiration and heedlessness, and you will understand that you are poor and in need of your Lord, and you are weak and need to turn to the Most Strong, the Almighty, may He be glorified.

Ibn al-Qayyim said:

Were it not that Allaah treats His slaves with the remedy of trials and calamities, they would transgress and overstep the mark. When Allaah wills good for His slaves, He gives him the medicine of calamities and trials according to his situation, so as to cure him from all fatal illnesses and diseases, until He purifies and cleanses him, and then makes him qualified for the most honourable position in this world, which is that of being a true slave of Allaah (‘uboodiyyah), and for the greatest reward in the Hereafter, which is that of seeing Him and being close to Him. End quote.

Zaad al-Ma’aad, 4/195

7 – Calamities drive out self-admiration from our hearts and bring them closer to Allaah

Ibn Hajr said: Yoonus ibn Bukayr narrated in Ziyaadaat al-Maghaazi that al-Rabee’ ibn Anas said: A man said on the day of Hunayn: “We will never be defeated today for lack of numbers.” That upset the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and then they were defeated.

Ibn al-Qayyim said in Zaad al-Ma’aad (3/477):

In His wisdom, Allaah decreed that the Muslims should first taste the bitterness of defeat, despite their great numbers and adequate equipment and strength, so as to humble some people who felt proud as a result of the conquest of Makkah and who had not entered His land and His sanctuary as the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had entered it, bending his head whilst riding his horse to the extent that his chin almost touched the saddle, out of humbleness before his Lord.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And that Allaah may test (or purify) the believers (from sins) and destroy the disbelievers”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:141]

al-Qaasimi (4/239) said:

i.e., to cleanse them and purify them of sin and of pride and arrogance. He also cleanses them of the hypocrites, and make them stand out distinct from them… then He mentions another reason, which is “to destroy the disbelievers”, for if they prevail they will transgress and overstep the mark, which will be the cause of their downfall and destruction. The laws of Allaah dictate that when He wants to destroy His enemies and erase them, he makes available to them the means which will lead to their doom and eradication, among the greatest of which, after their kufr, is their transgression and tyranny in persecuting, opposing and fighting His close friends… Allaah destroyed those who waged war against the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) on the day of Uhud and persisted in kufr. End quote.

8 – To demonstrate the true nature of people, for there are people whose virtue is unknown until calamity strikes

al-Fudayl ibn ‘Iyaad said: As long as people are doing fine, their true nature is concealed, but when calamity strikes, their true natures are revealed, so the believer resorts to his faith and the hypocrite resorts to his hypocrisy.

Al-Bayhaqi narrated in al-Dalaa’il that Abu Salamah said: Many people were confused – i.e., after the Isra’ – and some people came to Abu Bakr and told him. He said: “I bear witness that he is telling the truth.” They said: “Do you believe that he went to Syria in one night then came back to Makkah?” He said: “Yes, and I believe him in more than that, I believe what he says of the Revelation that comes to him from heaven.” And because of that he was named al-Siddeeq.

9 – Calamities strengthen people’s resolve

Allaah chose for His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) a hard life filled with all kinds of hardship from a young age, in order to prepare him for the great mission that awaited him, which none could bear but the strongest of men, who have gone through hardship and who are tested with calamities and bear them with patience.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was born an orphan, then it was not long before his mother died too.

Allaah reminded the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) of that when He said (interpretation of the meaning):

“Did He not find you O Muhammad) an orphan and give you a refuge?”

[al-Duha 93:6]

It is as if Allaah wanted to prepare the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to bear responsibility and endure hardship from an early age.

10 – Another reason behind calamities and hardship is that a person becomes able to distinguish between true friends and friends who only have their own interests at heart.

11 – Calamities remind you of your sins so that you can repent from them.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Whatever of good reaches you, is from Allaah, but whatever of evil befalls you, is from yourself”

[al-Nisa’ 4:79]

“And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much”

[al-Shoora 42:30]

Calamities offer an opportunity to repent before the greater punishment comes on the Day of Resurrection. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And verily, We will make them taste of the near torment (i.e. the torment in the life of this world, i.e. disasters, calamities) prior to the supreme torment (in the Hereafter), in order that they may (repent and) return (i.e. accept Islam)”

[al-Sajdah 32:21]

The “near torment” is hardship in this world and bad things that happen to a person.

If life continues to be easy, a person may become conceited and arrogant, and think that he has no need of Allaah, so by His mercy He tests people so that they may return to Him.

12 – Calamities show you the true nature of this world and its transience, and that it is temporary conveniences, and shows us that true life is that which is beyond this world, in a life in which there is no sickness or exhaustion.

“Verily, the home of the Hereafter that is the life indeed (i.e. the eternal life that will never end), if they but knew”

[al-‘Ankaboot 29:64]

But this life is just hardship and exhaustion.

“Verily, We have created man in toil”

[al-Balad 90:4]

13 – Calamities remind you of the great blessings of good health and ease.

This calamity shows you in the clearest way the meaning of health and ease that you enjoyed for many years, but did not taste their sweetness or appreciate them fully.

Calamities remind you of blessings and the One Who bestows them, and cause you to thank and praise Allaah for His blessings.

14 – Longing for Paradise

You will never long for Paradise until you taste the bitterness of this world. How can you long for Paradise when you are content with this world?

This is some of the wisdom behind calamities, and the interests attained by them, and the wisdom of Allaah is great indeed.

And Allaah knows best.

Source: IslamQA (https://islamqa.info/en/answers/35914/the-wisdom-behind-calamities)

We believe Allah is the controller, the cherisher and sustainer of the world!

We ask Allah for beneficial knowledge and wisdom. Many Muslims err due to ignorance and arrogance especially from their leader (Imam).

Stay at home. Pray at home. Just for this period. You are forming "Rambo".

We beseech Allah to pardon our sins and Grant us Jannah without stress!

Who else doesn't feel like today is a Friday ?

Quite insightful.

I reserve my comments till further notice

Alhamdulillah.

K

U09ce:
Alhamdulillah.

What is
the meaning of Alhamdulillah

I understand they are 3 words joined together.

Alhamdu lil lah
Thanks to Lah

What is LAH?

Allahu Akbar, Allah is the all knowing..

He doesn't know more than the black stone of Kaabah

seedorfg:
Allahu Akbar, Allah is the all knowing..

May Allah make us better people after this trial we are facing. Ameen.

Nice article

Thanks! Thanks!! Thanks!!!

Akpan107:
What is
the meaning of Alhamdulillah

I understand they are 3 words joined together.

Alhamdu lil lah
Thanks to Lah

What is LAH?

"Lah" as in "ILAH" meaning God. Shortened for ease of pronunciation

Quite long tho, but good

Akpan107:
What is
the meaning of Alhamdulillah

I understand they are 3 words joined together.

Alhamdu lil lah
Thanks to Lah

What is LAH?

You tried bro. You got the "Alhamd" part. It is actual Al-hamdu li llah. The LAH is actually Allah. Thus, it means Thanks to Allah.
Thanks for asking. Have a great day

hajide:

"Lah" as in "ILAH" meaning God. Shortened for ease of pronunciation

Lah and Illah or illaha are not the same words!

When you say the shahada, you say ; La ilaha illa Allah.

Translation: No god but allah
La illah illa allah

Ilaha and Ilah are the same.

The word Allah are two words joined together.

In Arabic, AL means "the" so what will AL-LAH now means. Then we can find the meaning of LAH.

Akpan107:
Lah and Illah or illaha are not the same words!

When you say the shahada, you say ; La ilaha illa Allah.

Translation: No god but allah
La illah illa allah

Ilaha and Ilah are the same.

The word Allah are two words joined together.

In Arabic, AL means "the" so what will AL-LAH now means. Then we can find the meaning of LAH.

Tried putting two nd two together nd I finally come up with the fact that with this your Quote you are actually here for the sake of argument nd nothing else.

If you are so interested in Lugatu-l arabiyyah don't be too shy and proud to seek the knowledge OK?

Now listen: ILAH, ILLAHA are same words meaning God, the plural of which is "Aaliha"
The article "Al" meaning "THE" is used to indicate the one true God. When put together: AL-ILAH you drop the first letter for ease of pronunciation then it becomes ALLAH.
Hope you get that....thanks

U09ce:


You tried bro. You got the "Alhamd" part. It is actual Al-hamdu li llah. The LAH is actually Allah. Thus, it means Thanks to Allah.
Thanks for asking. Have a great day

Thanks for your response!
"AL" is also a word standing on it's own. Meaning AL-Lah is a combination of two words.

A little research shows "Lah" is an ancient moon god worshiped during the pre-islamic period.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iah

In Arabic, the word "AL" simply means "The"

Even the Islamic prophet Ibrahim called the moon his Lord.
Sura 6:77.

How can we find the word "lah" from Islamic sources, where the Islamic god called himself Lah, or was it human that gave him the name?

hajide:

Tried putting two nd two together nd I finally come up with the fact that with this your Quote you are actually here for the sake of argument nd nothing else.

If you are so interested in Lugatu-l arabiyyah don't be too shy and proud to seek the knowledge OK?

Now listen: ILAH, ILLAHA are same words meaning God, the plural of which is "Aaliha"
The article "Al" meaning "THE" is used to indicate the one true God. When put together: AL-ILAH you drop the first letter for ease of pronunciation then it becomes ALLAH.
Hope you get that....thanks

You completely left out the word LAH.

In the shahada, the ilaha or ilah is translated as "god" not God! (No god but allah)

If we are to call the name correctly, it should be "The Lah"

Little research proved "Lah" is an ancient moon god worshiped by the Arabs during the pre-islamic period.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iah

Ok

hajide:

Tried putting two nd two together nd I finally come up with the fact that with this your Quote you are actually here for the sake of argument nd nothing else.

If you are so interested in Lugatu-l arabiyyah don't be too shy and proud to seek the knowledge OK?

Now listen: ILAH, ILLAHA are same words meaning God, the plural of which is "Aaliha"
The article "Al" meaning "THE" is used to indicate the one true God. When put together: AL-ILAH you drop the first letter for ease of pronunciation then it becomes ALLAH.
Hope you get that....thanks

Jazaakumullahu khayroo.
You have done well by your reply to him and by not engaging in argument with that ignorant folk saying what he has no knowledge of.
You have to see how I was laughing at his own reply to you about one moon god.
Auudzubillahi minash shaitoonir rojiim

Akpan107:
You completely left out the word LAH.

In the shahada, the ilaha or ilah is translated as "god" not God! (No god but allah)

If we are to call the name correctly, it should be "The Lah"

Little research proved "Lah" is an ancient moon god worshiped by the Arabs during the pre-islamic period.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iah

You lied. When I opened your link, the name of the god is actually "iah" and not "lah".

For the sake of your own soul in eternity, I strongly advise you to stop misleading yourself while tryna mislead others as well.

Peace!

DaSalafist:



You lied. When I opened your link, the name of the god is actually "iah" and not "lah".

For the sake of your own soul in eternity, I strongly advise you to stop misleading yourself while tryna mislead others as well.

Peace!

I can't gain anything by such lies...
Deep inside you, you know I'm telling the truth.

It says "For other uses see "iah" referring to something else.

But what we are looking at is "lah" not "iah"
And if you could recheck you will they are two separate words.

Sura 53:19-21
Talked about the 3 daughters
Of Lah;

Al-Uzza, Al-Lat and Manat.

And for Him are the females.

LAH simply means "moon" or the "lunar deity"

Lah has been worshiped before the coming of Islam.

Occurstaem:

Jazaakumullahu khayroo.
You have done well by your reply to him and by not engaging in argument with that ignorant folk saying what he has no knowledge of.
You have to see how I was laughing at his own reply to you about one moon god.
Auudzubillahi minash shaitoonir rojiim

Hahaha...
You are only trying to console yourselves...

Anyways, thanks for laughing at my reply, at least, that is the best a confused Muslim can do.

Explain to me how comes Lah got 3 dauthers in Sura 53:19-21 of the Quran.

Al-uzza, Al-Lat and Manat the third.

DaSalafist:



You lied. When I opened your link, the name of the god is actually "iah" and not "lah".

For the sake of your own soul in eternity, I strongly advise you to stop misleading yourself while tryna mislead others as well.

Peace!

Good response. Jazaakumullahu khayroo.
That guy is ignorant and arrogant. I think he has dyslexia and lacks comprehension abilities. He should admit.
He had me another burst of laughter.

Occurstaem:

Good response. Jazaakumullahu khayroo.
That guy is ignorant and arrogant. I think he has dyslexia and lacks comprehension abilities. He should admit.
He had me another burst of laughter.

I like how you guys tried to encourage your brother who has clearly failed in his bid to defend Al-Lah.

ilah is a word that means "god" or "deity".
And it's the same as "LAH"

Al-lah is a combination of two words and "AL" means "the" so we have "Lah" as the name for your god.

Now, watch the below video, and I will ask you some little question... maybe you may correct me where I am wrong.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up0Ys0O5X14