Hardships Forge Nations

 

Praise be to Allah, Who after every hardship grants relief, after every difficulty brings ease, and after every darkness shines forth the dawn. Peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad, the light of guidance and the best teacher of patience. The finest prayer and most complete salutation be upon him, his family, his companions, and all those who follow them with excellence until the Day of Judgment:

 

Indeed, the Muslims, along with the Prophet (peace be upon him), endured hardship and suffering in the early days of the call to Islam. Although they faced persecution, the Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged them to remain steadfast in their faith, assuring them that the glad tidings of victory and relief were near.

Reflecting on the incident of the Isra and Mi'raj (the Night Journey and Ascension) highlights the power, greatness, and care of Allah for this Ummah (Muslim community). Allah has prepared this Ummah to face various challenges and hardships. This preparation requires patience, forbearance, gentleness, and kindness. Allah, in the Quran, says {What means}: " It is part of the Mercy of God that thou dost deal gently with them Wert thou severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about thee:" (Al-Imran, 159).

Before the Isra and Mi'raj journey, the hardships had already intensified for the Muslims. The Prophet`s uncle Abu Talib passed away, and in the same year, his wife Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) also passed away. It was a year of sorrow when the strongest supporters, who used to protect the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and shield him from harm, were gone. 

 

With the death of Abu Talib, the Quraysh intensified their persecution of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in ways they had not done before. They confronted, harmed, and mocked him. Even some of the ignorant among them threw dirt on his noble head. He entered his home with dirt still on his honorable face, and his daughter, Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her), wiped it off while weeping. In response, the Prophet (peace be upon him) consoled her with confidence and assurance, saying, "O my daughter, do not cry. Allah will protect your father." (Narrated by al-Bayhaqi in "Dala'il al-Nubuwwah"). The dirt did not sadden the Prophet (peace be upon him); rather, what troubled and grieved him was the lack of response from his people to Islam.

 

Allah revealed the following verse to the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH): " We know indeed the grief which their words do cause thee: It is not thee they reject: it is the signs of God, which the wicked contemn." {Al-An`am, 33}.

With the death of Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her), the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) lost his closest supporter in his own household. She was the one who consoled him at home, wiped away his grief, eased his sorrows, and encouraged him to continue his mission, firmly believing in the truth of his message. Women like Khadijah were rare, and her loss was a profound one for the Prophet (peace be upon him).

 

Indeed, hardships did not weaken the determination of the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) and his noble companions. On the contrary, they increased their confidence in Allah and reassured them of His promise. Therefore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) proceeded to Ta'if to fulfill his significant mission and to continue his call to Allah despite the challenges.

 

He met with the leaders and dignitaries of Ta'if and presented his religion and beliefs to them. However, he faced strong and outright rejection. They responded to him harshly and even incited the ignorant and young to pelt him with stones, causing his blessed feet to bleed. In his distress, he sought refuge beneath a tree, deeply saddened, and in pain as his blood flowed from his legs.

 

Indeed, this was what the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) faced from his own people. He lost his close relatives and loved ones at a time when he needed support the most. To whom would the beloved of Allah turn in such challenging times?

 

He supplicated to Allah, saying: "O Allah, to You I complain of my weakness, my lack of resources, and my humiliation before the people. O Most Merciful of the merciful, You are the Lord of the oppressed, and You are my Lord. To whom will You entrust me? To some distant stranger who will frown upon me? Or to an enemy to whom You have given power over me? If You are not angry with me, I care not, but Your favor is more expansive for me. I seek refuge in the light of Your countenance by which all darkness is dispelled and every affair of this world and the Hereafter is set right, lest Your anger or Your displeasure descends upon me. I desire Your pleasure and satisfaction until You are pleased. There is no power nor might except through You."

 

This heartfelt supplication reflects the Prophet Muhammad's deep sorrow and pain at the rejection of his people to the Message of Islam.

 

Now, the return to Mecca was inevitable. But how would the return be, especially after seeking refuge in Ta'if and facing rejection there, leaving him in a vulnerable position, much like one jumping out of the frying pan into the fire?.

 

Due to the harsh rejection, the difficult circumstances, and the severity of the situation, the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) returned to Mecca in a troubled state. He did not regain full consciousness until he reached Qarn al-Tha'alib, which is near the present-day location of Masjid al-Khaif. There, he raised his head and saw a cloud casting its shadow upon him. When he looked closely, he saw that it was the Angel Gabriel (peace be upon him).

 

Gabriel called out to him and said that Allah had heard the statements of his people and their rejection. Allah had sent the Angel of the Mountains to him, so he could command the mountains to collapse upon the people of Ta'if if the Prophet wished. The Angel of the Mountains greeted the Prophet and said, "O Mohammad, if you wish, I will crush them between the two mountains (referring to the mountains surrounding Mecca)."

 

However, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) responded with kindness and compassion, saying, "No, O Gabriel, I hope that Allah will bring forth from their descendants people who will worship Allah alone, associating nothing with Him." He then prayed for their guidance, saying, "O Allah, guide my people, for they do not know." {Transmitted by Muslim}. With this, he entered Mecca under the protection of one of the polytheists.

 

Narrated `Aisha: That she asked the Prophet (PBUH) , 'Have you encountered a day harder than the day of the battle) of Uhud?" The Prophet (PBUH) replied, "Your tribes have troubled me a lot, and the worse trouble was the trouble on the day of 'Aqaba when I presented myself to Ibn `Abd-Yalail bin `Abd-Kulal and he did not respond to my demand….." {Transmitted by Bukhari}.

 

After this series of hardships and trials, the honorable journey of Isra and Mi'raj (the Night Journey and Ascension) was a means of honoring, affirming, soothing the pure heart of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. It was a confirmation of his blessed mission, a response to his supplication, and a healing for his saddened soul and wounded heart due to his concern for his Ummah (community), as stated in Surah Ash-Shu'ara (Verse: 3), " It may be thou frettest thy soul with grief, that they do not become Believers."

 

The journey from Mecca to Jerusalem, known as the Isra and Mi'raj, was adorned by the presence of angels, and witnessed by the prophets. The Quran highlights the significance of this journey in Surah Al-Isra (Chapter 17), Verse 1: " Glory to (God) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless,- in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all things)."

 

Indeed, life is filled with moments of hardship and moments of ease. After every difficulty, there is relief, and after every hardship, there is ease. As Allah, the Most High, says in the Quran in Surah Ash-Sharh (Chapter 94), Verses 5-8:" So, verily, with every difficulty, there is relief: Verily, with every difficulty there is relief. Therefore, when thou art free (from thine immediate task), still labour hard, And to thy Lord turn (all) thy attention." 

 

The path to relief and success is clear. Make your concern, O Muslim, directed towards what is with Allah, rather than focusing solely on this fleeting worldly life. Ibn Kathir said: "When you have finished with the matters and distractions of this world and cut your attachments to it, turn your attention to worship. Be diligent in your worship, having a clear and focused mind. Sincerely dedicate your intentions and desires to your Lord. Do not become disheartened or saddened, for hardship will not prevail over two easings. Increase your recitation of the Quran during the hours of the night and at the edges of the day. Ascend with your soul to the highest heavens during the five appointed times of prayer. (And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.)"  {Al-Hajj, 22:40}.

 

Greetings and good wishes to the steadfast warriors of the Jordanian Arab Army, blessings and good fortune be upon them. A thousand greetings to our blessed Hashemite leadership and to the entire Jordanian people.