Why did God let me go through this hardship?
It is not an easy trial. You could lose your trust in Allah which leads to losing faith and being void. Your enemy is invisible, evil, and spiteful. Holding firm to your faith will elevate your status because the pain and inconvenience you suffer through atone for your sins. A rule in Islam that Allah outlined in Quran is “Allah does burden a soul beyond its endurance”. If you go through it, that means that your creator knows you can withstand it. Reward time for your good deeds is coming but not in this life. Do not think because you do good deeds and pray that we will not get tested with hardships. We are only here to be tested over and over again. This world is not where believers settle. Your home is in the heavens, where we will have physical pleasures like food, drink, and sex, besides the spiritual ones. You will settle back there again where your father Adam has started. The ultimate destruction for Man is death. For us Death is the end of everything. For God, it is you crossing the line to a different life of endless physical and spiritual joy in the heavens if you are a pious person.
Do you know a Jewish magician set up Evil Magic to prophet Muhammed that lasted according to the most accurate narrations 6 months? Do you know that 2 of his wives were exposed to Sihr as well? Do you know Prophet Ayoub (Job) suffered through Mas of Shaitan for 15 years? Do you prophet Moses was exposed Sihr of false imaginations?
Prophet Muhammed said: “Whoever, of the Muslims, goes through fatigue, sickness, worry, grief, harm or frustration, even being poked by a thorn, but that Allah will apply it toward the redemption of his sins.” Authentic Bukhari
Going through this experience can either make us much closer to God or turn us into faithless disbelievers. If every time you have a problem, you pray to Allah and He instantly responds, then where is your test? Allah said, “I never created Jinn and Man except for the sole purpose of worshiping me”. Part of worship is to drive through calamity with faith. Even when this trial ends, there will be another trial, may it is going to be your neighbor, your boss. Maybe it is going to be this accident or this loss. Calamity will put to test your patience and belief because hardships never end. It might feel like this is too much but look at it this way: if you live to be a hundred years old and then you die and start your eternal life in either heaven or hell. Any number divided by infinity is equal to 0. So both your pleasures and your struggles will be reduced to nothing when compared to eternity. If you are a parent, your child could cry and beg you for something that you do not give to them. Your child may not understand why despite your claims of loving your child.
Ibn ‘Abbas reported that Allah’s prophet (ﷺ) used to supplicate during times of hardship (in these words): ” There is no god but Allah, the Great, the Tolerant, there is no god but Allah, the Lord of the Magnificent Throne There is no god but Allah, the Lord of the Heaven and the earth, the Lord of the gracious Throne.” Authentic in Book of Muslim
Some wonder, why am I going through this when others who are much worse than I am, are not going through trials. That is not our choice or our question to ask. We are like students in a final exam. Each student is given an exam sheet that has a certain number of problems different than the other students. God is fair, do not step into his decisions. If we do, will run out of time while we are resentful and then we will fail. Stay focused and positive, Work on problems with gratitude.
Ibn Abbas narrated that Prophet Muhammed told him “Young man, let me teach a few words. Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and He will be mindful of you. If you ask, then ask Allah. If you seek help, then seek help from Allah. Know well that if the nation would gather to benefit you with something, they wouldn’t be able to benefit you with anything unless Allah has decreed it for you. And if they would gather to harm you with something, they would not harm you with anything unless Allah decreed it upon you. The pens have been lifted and the papers have dried.”
We are raised to see life as a race, not as a test. We expect hardships but not real calamities. This is because we believe that we are good people so do not deserve this. We also feel that we are late in the race. So, getting hardships that further delay us, is unfair.
Jabir Ibn Abdellah narrated that Prophet Muhammed said: “No slave of Allah is a true believer unless he believes that good and bad Destiney is from Allah and unless he believes that what struck him would not have missed him and what missed him, would not have struck him.”
Abu Huraira narrated that Prophet Muhammed said “A strong believer is better and closer to Allah than a weak believer. Seek what benefits you in every permissible good. Ask Allah for help and don’t be crippled. If something wrong happens, do not say If I would have done so and so. But rather say: Allah has done whatever He has decreed, because the word IF triggers the actions of shaitan.”
You did not miss out on much
You are 2 things, Your body, and your spirit. Your body is the suit your spirit uses to interact with life. When you die, this temporary suit decays but your spirit does not. It transitions to another form of life. Eventually, in the Heavens, we will have a permanent beautiful suit that never ages or decays. Allah promises believers in the hereafter to live eternally to enjoy physical real-life pleasures including food, wine, intercourse, physical social gatherings, etc.
How do people lose their faith because of Evil Eye and Evil Magic?
A lot of people, in the beginning, think I can fix it easily. I will say I seek refuge in Allah and read some Quran and the problem will be over. However, they sometimes get worse or stay untreated. They try again and again but fail. Sheitan makes the patient feel one of two things. They may feel that Quran is not effective or they may feel like God has given up on them. Either way, they lose their faith.
The root cause of patients’ failure is Ignorance. Patients are not well equipped with knowledge on how to fight off Jinn. For example, If a man keeps telling you to do wrong things, you could read the entire book of the Quran on this man and they will not be affected. However, Jinn on the other hand, eventually gets affected by Quran. Underestimating or overestimating the evil of Shaitan and infidel Jinn. Not all Jinn are the same, just like humans. Jinn differ in their ranks and levels of power.
Prophet Muhammed was asked, “We seek Ruqiah, we seek medicine and we apply caution. How could this override Allah’s decree?” He replied “They are all of Allah’s decree” Al-Tirmizi
Supplication works (Duaa)
Allah is our King and our Lord, not an order-taker. He does not need our praise or worship. We are the ones who need it. We need to humble ourselves as His slaves. So before asking Allah, thank Him and appreciate his glory. Ask for Allah’s forgiveness. Call on him by His glorious names. Follow that by asking Allah to bestow his blessings and salutations on Prophet Muhammed. Have you seen how children ask, beg, and plea to their parents? They do not stop till they get what they want. Ask Allah the same way, He loves to hear his slaves supplicate to him.
Prophet Muhammed said: “Whenever a Muslim supplicates to Allah, not asking for that which is sinful or for breaking family ties, Allah will answer him in one of three ways, He may fulfill his prayers promptly, He may reserve his prayers for the hereafter, or He may dismiss for him equivalent harm. The attendees said we will then ask the Lord a lot. The prophet replied, He will give even more.”
I do Athkar most of the time, How can I be afflicted with Jinn? How am I still not cured?
This is why evil people who, for example, pay magicians to do evil magic to someone pious end up visiting many magicians because the magic does not work. You as a patient do not see or realize that. Magicians keep trying repeatedly until they get the Sihr done on a day the targeted person is too busy which makes him vulnerable.
You Ruqiah did not go in vain. Sihr patients feel significant improvement after Ruqiah but they may experience a setback. Does this mean Ruqiah does not work? Ruqiah works effectively but the Sihr has been renewed again.
If a man gets into a fatal car accident and the car was completely crushed but he only had a broken finger. When his family hears the news, they will be relieved. They will nothing much happened, he only had a broken finger!!
Sihr is not set up and paid for just to annoy someone. It is rather to end someone’s life and career. Sihr is set up for insanity, death, divorce, and destruction but due to the Athkar, the targeted victim will say I have a headache or stomachache for a couple of days. He could have been in a far more serious situation. Yet, an ungrateful patient might say, I recited the Athkar but I still struggle.
If a man pushes you and you fall to the ground, you will be upset. But If you know that he was trying to save you from being hit by a speedy car, you will thank him. In both cases, you were pushed to the ground and you felt pain but because you later know why, you are grateful.
If we do not have these calamities, we drown in our worldly life and we forget to prepare for the day we will be held liable before our Creator.
We believe in and accept the destiny and decree of Allah, the good and the bad. When Allah decrees a calamity on you, the angels that guard you, lift up their protection on you so that the calamity takes place. So, If you did what you had to to be protected, yet you face a problem or a disaster, know that this is your test from your Lord.
There could be evil coming your way, so Allah gives you a minor problem that you supplicate to Allah about, Allah does not accept the supplication for the minor problem and routes the reward toward pushing away the major harm that was coming your way. Then the person says, even my supplication for this tiny problem was not accepted either!! Only on the day of judgment, you will discover how your supplication was routed.
Despite his devotion, Allah tested Prophet Muhammed too. The Jews targeted Prophet Muhammed with Sihr. He had migraines to the point that he would stay home for a couple of days. On his bed of death, his migraine was so severe, he described as axes striking his head. He said that he experiences sickness the same way 2 individuals amongst us get sick. He was also poisoned by a Jewish woman, on his bed of death he said he still feels the effect of this poison. Didn’t Allah answer the prayers of his messenger? Allah chose for his messenger to go through all of this to test him and elevate his status.
It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allah loves a people He tests them. Whoever accepts that wins His pleasure but whoever is discontent with that earns His wrath.”
( Say, “O My devotees who have believed, keep your duty to your Lord. For those who do good in this world, is goodness. And God’s earth is vast. The steadfast will be paid their wages in full, without reckoning.”) Alzumar 10
5 verses guide the mindset of the believer during hardships
Scholar Hassan Al-Basri said I wonder how challenged individuals could forget to follow the guidance in these 5 instances when Allah revealed how He supported those who followed this guidance. Whoever keeps reciting these verses during tribulations, Allah will relieve his suffering.
- Surat Al-Baqarah
155 We will certainly test you with some fear and hunger, and some loss of wealth, lives, and crops. But give good news to the steadfast. 156 Those who, when a calamity afflicts them, say, “To God we belong, and to Him we will return.” 157 Upon these are blessings and mercy from their Lord. These are the guided ones.
١٥٥ وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنْفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ
١٥٦ الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
١٥٧ أُولَٰئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَاتٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ
- Surat Ghafir
44 You will remember what I am telling you. I entrust God with my affairs. God is Observant of the servants.” 45 So Allah protected him from the evil (consequences) of what they planned, while a terrible torment besieged the people of Pharaoh.
٤٤ فَسَتَذْكُرُونَ مَا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ ۚ وَأُفَوِّضُ أَمْرِي إِلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبَادِ٤٥ فَوَقَاهُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئَاتِ مَا مَكَرُوا ۖ وَحَاقَ بِآلِ فِرْعَوْنَ سُوءُ الْعَذَابِ
- Surat Al-Anbiya
87 And Jonah, when he walked away angry (with his people for refusing to submit to God), thinking We will not penalize him. But then He cried out in the darkness, “There is no god but You! Glory to You! I was one of the wrongdoers!” 88 So We answered him, and saved him from the anguish. Thus We save the faithful.
٨٧ وَذَا النُّونِ إِذْ ذَهَبَ مُغَاضِبًا فَظَنَّ أَنْ لَنْ نَقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ فَنَادَىٰ فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ٨٨ فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ وَنَجَّيْنَاهُ مِنَ الْغَمِّ ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُنْجِي الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
- Al-Imran
173 Those to whom the people have said, “The people have gathered against you, so fear them.” But this only increased their faith, and they said, “Allah is sufficient for us; He is the best Disposer of affairs.”174 So they returned with favor from Allah and bounty, no harm having touched them. And they pursued the pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Lord of great bounties.
١٧٣ الَّذِينَ قَالَ لَهُمُ النَّاسُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا لَكُمْ فَاخْشَوْهُمْ فَزَادَهُمْ إِيمَانًا وَقَالُوا حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ
١٧٤ فَانْقَلَبُوا بِنِعْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ لَمْ يَمْسَسْهُمْ سُوءٌ وَاتَّبَعُوا رِضْوَانَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَظِيمٍ
- Surat Al-Anbiya
83 And Job, when he cried out to his Lord: “Great harm has afflicted me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful.” 84 So We answered him, lifted his suffering, and restored his family to him, and their like with them—a mercy from Us, and a reminder for the worshipers.
٨٣ وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنْتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
٨٤ فَاسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُ فَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِ مِنْ ضُرٍّ ۖ وَآتَيْنَاهُ أَهْلَهُ وَمِثْلَهُمْ مَعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِنْ عِنْدِنَا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْعَابِدِينَ
What is the ultimate goal of the Sheitan?
The ultimate goal of the Sheitan is for Man to disbelieve in God, get divorced, refrain from marriage, and promote homosexuality and faithlessness. Sheitan will prompt a man to commit suicide. It does not want to go to Hellfire alone.
Does Allah protect Muslims against this harm?
Even if one is pious, he could inflicted. Allah will help us get out of the traps of Jinn if we follow his straight path. One must avoid sins like earning corrupt money, dressing seductively in public, giving false testimony, fornication, consuming Alcohol, backbiting, cheating.. etc.
So if God is kind and fair, why did not he create a world without evil?
He already did. It is called the Heavens, Paradise, or Jannah. You just have to get there.
Can Someone stay untreated for the rest of their lives?
Yes, it happens despite being rare. For faithful believers, Allah tests their patience to maximize the rewards. Learn how to cope with it and learn what to say to prevent deterioration. Continue to succeed and lead a happy, healthy life.
Do not stop your prayers when you are inflicted with hardships. If one obeys these evil whispers, they will be miserable in this life, and in the next life, they will be regretful when it is already too late.
Shaitan whispers: “God, faith, and worship are not a joke. You are being disrespectful to God by worshiping while committing all these sins. Your prayers will not be accepted anyhow. You are not even paying attention to your prayers. Fix yourself first before going on the straight path. So drop the prayers and worship all together until you get yourself on the straight path and then come back to Allah.” Sheitan may also whisper this: “God does not care about the motions, he cares about what is in your heart. You are a very kind person and that is all that matters.” The other argument is “God is not fair, I know He is there but he did not give me what I need. So I will quit praying.” [sic]