Good times and bad times cycle through life just like day becomes night. I speak a lot about difficulties in life because everyone has their internal struggles that they go through. During those moments it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Some days the tunnel goes deeper and deeper down and whatever light there was is far behind you. There is no way of turning back. It’s only natural to get that sinking feeling of hopelessness.
Dig yourself out
In a previous blog post I discussed Sabr as an action. I mentioned that during difficulties the Quran recommends that we should persevere. When you’re stuck in a hole, you have to dig your way out.
[su_quote cite=”Quran 94:5-6″ url=”https://quran.com/94/”]So, surely with hardship comes ease. Surely with difficulty comes ease.[/su_quote]
As I mentioned in the beginning, good times and bad times come and go just like day becomes night. In these 2 verses of the Quran, Allah mentions that with every hardship and difficulty comes ease. He repeats this statement twice. A reminder that with every 1 hardship and difficulty comes 2 ease. On the surface this appears to be a contradiction that hardship should be accompanied by ease. The two are polar opposites. But the words “hardship with ease” instead of “ease after hardship” suggest that the era of ease is so close to the difficulty we are going through, that they accompany each other.
Problems don’t last forever
Surah 94 of the Quran is known as The Expansion. Within this surah Allah asked the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh):
[su_note note_color=”#F5F5F5″]”Did We not expand for you, [O Muhammad], your breast? And relieved you of the burden which weighed so heavily on your back. And raised high for you your repute. So, surely with hardship comes ease. Surely with difficulty comes ease. So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship]. Turning to your Lord [alone] with hope.”[/su_note]
In this surah Allah asks the Prophet (PBUH) to look back and remember all the times He helped him with his burdens. Allah reminds him how heavy they felt at the time. But with those trails, Allah raised his status, both in this world and in the heavens. Then Allah repeats a reminder that with every hardship comes ease. Reassuring us that our problems won’t last forever, if Allah helped us before, He will help us again. Our bad times will be replaced by good times in the near future. Finally, Allah mentions that when you have finished your duties (both religious and domestic), you should turn to your creator, spend time in worship and remembering Allah.
Summary
As discussed in another blog post, Mindfulness & Zikr, “in the remembrance of Allah, hearts find rest”. Mindfulness helps silence our worries, clears the way on our path a little more. Zikr, the remembrance of Allah, is the light that guides you to your next destination. When going down that tunnel, remember that it won’t be dark forever. The sun will shine again very soon. Keep digging yourself out of it.
I’m going to close this post with a quote from Rocky. Its fitting and motivational.
[su_quote cite=”Sylvester Stallone, Rocky Balboa”]Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that! I’m always gonna love you, no matter what. No matter what happens. You’re my son and you’re my blood. You’re the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, you ain’t gonna have a life.[/su_quote]
Best of luck and may Allah ease our struggles. Ameen