Guide-to-Sound-Creed-A-Book-on-Muslim-Creed-and-Faith

138 <strong>Guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Sound</strong> <strong>Creed</strong>
One of the great divine reasons behind trials and afflictions is <strong>to</strong> test
people <strong>to</strong> clearly prove those who are patient and content and those who
are dissatisfied and angry. This is stated in the b.adtth in which the Prophet
(PBUH) says:
"Greataffliction entails great reward (from Allah); and ifAllah, Exalted
be He, loves a group ofpeople, He tests them; whoever is satisfied will
be deserving ofsatisfaction (from Allah), and whoever is dissatisfied
will be deserving of(Allah's) wrath."
(Related and deemed basan by At-Tirmidhi)
Satisfaction means submitting one's soul <strong>to</strong> the commandments ofAllah and
trusting Him and seeking His rewards, while discontent implies abhorrence of
the affliction and dissatisfaction with Allah's Divine Decree.
According <strong>to</strong> the b.adtth. rewards are given in accordance with good deeds. It
also implies that Allah may show contentment and pleasure with the acts of His
bondmen. It also explains that all trials and tribulations have a Divine wisdom
behind them. Similarly, it proves the necessity of having belief in Allah's Divine
Decree; all trials go in full compliance with His Will. Showing patience, repentance
and reliance on Allah are. according <strong>to</strong> this hadtth, of paramount importance
when facing tribulations.
To help Muslims in facing the hardships and difficulties ofthis life, Allah commands
us <strong>to</strong> hold on<strong>to</strong> prayer and being patient, as this leads <strong>to</strong> the happy end:
«0 you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer.
Indeed, Allah is with the patient:' (QUI'an: Al-Baqarah: 153)
This Qur'anic verse shows the great virtue ofpatience and how man is in need
ofit, as it is one ofthe basic components offaith.
Utterances Impermissible <strong>to</strong> be Said about Allah
Almighty Allah should be highly revered and greatly venerated. There are
a number of utterances. which do not suit Allah's grandeur. and are prohibited
according <strong>to</strong> the Sunnah. Such utterances are highlighted below. Among those
profane words is <strong>to</strong> convey a greeting <strong>to</strong> Allah by saying. "Peace be upon Allah;
since the original meaning of this greeting implies an invocation for granting
the greeted one safety. Since only Allah is <strong>to</strong> be besought <strong>to</strong> grant peace and
security <strong>to</strong> others, it is improper <strong>to</strong> supplicate <strong>to</strong> grant Him peace and safety.