Everyone who strives in God’s path must be mentally prepared for the hardships and challenges they are likely to face. Things may not always go as we hope. Our wishes and desires may not be fulfilled. The plans and projects we make for the future may stall and remain unfinished. Along the way, we may be confronted with unexpected difficulties and even face disloyalty or betrayal from people we never imagined.

As Bediuzzaman Said Nursi once said, “Every good endeavor faces numerous harmful obstacles, and devils relentlessly strive against the servants devoted to such good endeavors.” Human and jinn devils alike will harass them and never leave them in peace, just as they did not leave the great Prophets and saints in peace. As expressed in a saying—though not an authentic hadith, yet supported in meaning by Qur’anic verses and sound traditions—“Every good has its obstacle” [1]. In every righteous endeavor, Satan crosses the path of human beings and seeks to block them through various schemes and traps [2].

God has always bestowed His grace upon those who walk in His path and has protected them. Yet being under His grace and protection does not mean that we will never face afflictions and misfortunes. This world is a place of testing, and therefore we will, from time to time, be tried with hardships.

As the Qur’an states in several verses, those who seek to live and uphold God’s religion will inevitably encounter calamities. Those who enter this sacred path will experience certain losses and deprivations. Sometimes we will be tested through the loss of wealth, at other times through the loss of life. If, in the face of such heavy trials, we can endure patiently and restrain ourselves, we will emerge as the winners. For whatever we lose here, we will gain many times over in return.

From the very beginning of the journey, it is vital to be prepared for the kinds of hardships that may arise. A person who sets out knowing that there will be steep climbs, peaks to cross, and deep valleys to pass through will make their preparations accordingly. You may call this an “inner equipment.” By this we mean strengthening one’s inner world and gaining the resilience needed in one’s spiritual and moral life. If such maturity is attained from the outset, external assaults will not cause turmoil. Without such foresight, however, unexpected challenges may leave one bewildered, swept off balance, and clouded in vision.

Let us listen to the Qur’an’s warning: “Or do you think you will enter Paradise without experiencing the trials of those who came before you? They were afflicted with such hardships and adversity, and so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed with him cried out, ‘When will God’s help come?’ Surely, God’s help is near” [3]. Since the Qur’an offers such a reminder, we too must take heed, wake up, and come to our senses.

At this point, we can recall the words of Abbas ibn Ubada, who addressed the Ansar when they pledged allegiance to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) at Aqabah: “Do you know what you are saying yes to?” People can sometimes be swept away by group psychology, carried along by an emotional current, and pursue a cause with great passion. This is admirable, yet it must not end there. At the very outset, people need to be made aware of the characteristics of the road ahead and be told where they are heading. This path, while offering joy and delight, also carries its share of pain and difficulty. Abbas ibn Ubada, a man of foresight and discernment, reminded them of this reality, implying that tough days lay ahead and urging them to be ready.

Similarly, when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted the pledges of new Muslims, he asked them to promise obedience to him not only in times of peace and ease (manshat) but also in times of hardship and trial (makrah).

From this, it should not be concluded that everyone who serves in God’s cause must inevitably face the heaviest of trials. At times, out of compassion for our weakness, frailty, poverty, and inconsistency, the Almighty may spare us from such severe tests.

Indeed, Bediuzzaman expresses this in one place as follows: “Just as the All-Powerful God can, in a moment, sweep away a sky filled with dark clouds and reveal the shining Sun upon the clear face of heaven, so too can He dispel the pitch-dark clouds of confusion and unveil the unshakable truths of faith as brightly as the Sun, granting this in an easy and effortless way. From His mercy, we hope that He will not exact a heavy price from us” [4].

Nevertheless, we cannot base our preparations on this possibility. We must ready ourselves for winter, take our precautions accordingly, and if spring arrives instead, we should embrace it with gratitude and delight.

Those who devote themselves to the service of faith and the Qur’an can be regarded as having formed, so to speak, a spiritual company. Every member of this company is responsible for supporting and helping the others. When some are afflicted with hardship, the others should lift them up and provide the necessary support to strengthen their hearts and spirits. To withstand external pressures and oppression, and to overcome the shock of unexpected events, we all need this kind of mutual support.

It is especially important to strengthen those whose inner resilience is weak and who are easily shaken by pressure. Such individuals must not be left alone; they must be cared for and supported. Visiting a brother or sister in prison, asking after their wellbeing, and meeting their needs will be a great source of morale for them and will fortify their spiritual strength.

We should never forget that when one person who shoulders a cause is wounded or hurt, this affects the entire body of the community, causing cracks and fractures. Therefore, whenever a friend faces difficulty, we must mobilize the blessings God has granted us and try to resolve their problem in some way.

Indeed, everyone may encounter different forms of affliction. Some may overcome these with their own inner strength. Yet not everyone’s spiritual immune system is equally strong; some cannot resist the viruses and microbes to which they are exposed and thus require external reinforcement. In such circumstances, it is a major responsibility of the members of this spiritual company not to leave anyone alone in their troubles, not to let them feel abandoned or helpless. Like the stones of a dome that hold each other in place, we too will stand firm if we support one another. Otherwise, we will collapse and scatter along the way.

Another matter that must be emphasized during times of trial is this: especially those of weak character may criticize destiny, refuse to submit to God’s decree, and begin to question the divine determinations concerning them. In doing so, they act contrary to the verse: “He cannot be questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned” [5].

Furthermore, in such times, people may also start searching for someone to blame for the problems at hand, casting accusations on one another. This, in turn, damages morale and undermines spiritual unity, thereby doubling the calamity already being experienced.

Of course, in the face of misfortunes, we must engage in deep self-examination, draw lessons from past mistakes, and resolve not to repeat them in the future. To prevent similar problems from arising, we must learn from experience and act with greater prudence. We should analyze the visible causes of the afflictions that befall us and take precautions to avoid their recurrence. We should also review our activities, plans, and programs once more, seeking new measures to ensure security on the path ahead. But all this should be done without criticizing destiny, without blaming one another, and without hurting or reproaching our friends—rather, it should be done with gentleness and forbearance.

Otherwise, we risk breaking our companions’ hearts, burdening them with guilt, or provoking defensive reactions. Through our criticism and accusations, we may cause disputes and divisions among ourselves. Over time, this could give rise to a group of the alienated and discontented who might even work against us. Without realizing it, we would then have violated both our own rights and God’s rights. While trying to solve one problem, we would open the door to even greater problems and eventually collapse under their weight. Such matters can tolerate neither haste nor harshness.

References

• Kashf al-Khafa,2/89.
• See Nasa’i, Jihad 19.
• Surah al-Baqarah, 2:214.
• Bediuzzaman, The Gleams, p. 131.
• Surah al-Anbiya, 21:23.