People Are Upon 4 Levels Regarding The Circumstances of Affliction
By Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymeen
The First Level: Being AngryThis is in various ways:
The first type: That the anger is by the heart as if he is angry at his Lord. So he becomes angry with what Allah has decreed for him, and this (level) is Haram. And it is possible that this could lead to Kufr (disbelief). Allah said:
"And among mankind is he who worships Allah as it were, upon the very 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 back to disbelief after embracing Islam). He loses both this world and the Hereafter." [Noble Quran 22:11]
The second type: That the anger is by the tongue like making Du'a for destruction or ruin and what is similar to that, and this is Haram.
The third type: That the anger is by the limbs like slapping the cheeks, ripping the clothes, pulling out hair, and similar to that, and all of this is Haram in contradiction to patience, which is Wajib (obligatory).
The Second Level: Being PatientJust as the poet said: "Patience is like its name - bitter in taste, yet its outcomes are sweeter than honey."
So the person sees this thing (the affliction) weighs very heavy upon him, yet he bears it although he dislikes that it happened. Rather, his Iman bears it and restrains him from being angry.
So the time of affliction and the time of no affliction is not the same to him, and this (level) is Wajib, because Allah commanded the people to be patient, saying:
"...and be patient. Surely, Allah is with those who are As-Sabirin (the patient ones)." [Noble Quran 8:46]
The Third Level: Being Pleased With The Affliction
Is when the person is pleased with the affliction and whether it happened or not, it is the same to him so he it is not difficult upon him. He does not bear it as if it is something weighing heavy on him, and this (level) is Mustahabb (preferred - between Haram and Wajib) and it is not Wajib according to the most correct opinion. The difference between this level and the one before it is apparent because the affliction happening or not happening is the same due to the pleasure of the one on this level. As for the level before it, the affliction is hard upon him, yet he remains patient over it.
The Fourth Level: Thanking - Being GratefulThis is the highest level. This is that the person thanks Allah for the affliction, which has struck him in that he knows that this affliction is an expiation for his sins and perhaps a cause for an increase in his good deeds. The Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"There is no affliction which strikes the Muslim except that Allah expiates with it (sins), even with a thorn that may poke him." [Bukhari & Muslim]
Taken from:Fatawa Arkan Al-Islam Khadejah Jones Share Islam Team ShareIslam.com
"Allah! La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), Al-Hayyul-Qayyum (the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists).".."[Al Qur'aan 3:2]
May Allah make us from the fourth level always just for His sake , may Allah help us to worship Him right and save us from arrogance, riyaa and hypocrisy Ameeeen
Id be level 2: Patient. I am to patient knowing i will get little or nothing in return. My family is based off the principle "laziness + hatred = peace". They have no idea how much patience I have with them despite their cursing and lack of humanity. All of the family moves on away but i still stay and i regret it daily . But someone in my family must have patience and sadly it's me.
I have a bleak outlook on life and personally if i did such a thing id create 4 levels and though would go like..........
Level 1 Worthless
Level 2 Inferior
Level 3 Foolish
Level 4 Eternally doomed
I know as a Muslim I am to think higher of people but trust me I am having serious issues still . Its one of the things i try over coming, hopefully Allah can change this about me.
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جوري liked this post
for such a good thread.
. But someone in my family must have patience and sadly it's me.
. Its one of the things i try over coming, hopefully Allah can change this about me.
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