The Rewards Of Patience In Face Of Hardship For Allah’s Sake!

By Imam Murtadha Gusau

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our beloved master Muhammad, the last of Prophets, on his family, and all his companions.

Dear brothers and sisters! Islamic teachings emphasise that patience in the face of hardship for Allah’s sake is a sign of strong Iman (faith), a purifier of sins, and a path to immeasurable rewards, blessings, and closeness to Allah in this life and the Hereafter.

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:

“When Allah loves a people, He tests them.”

Hardships are a divine opportunity for Muslim believers to turn to Allah, to strengthen their character, and to attain a higher rank with Him.

A profound principle taught by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is:

“Know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and with hardship comes ease.”

This is reinforced by the Qur’anic verse that:

“For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.” [Qur’an, 94:5-6]

And Allah Almighty promises an unparalleled reward for the patient. He the Most High says:

“Only those who are patient shall receive their rewards in full, without measure.” [Qur’an, 39:10]

This reward is far greater than one can imagine and can lead to the highest place in Paradise.

In times of difficulty, Muslim believers are instructed to seek strength and solace through patience and consistent prayer. The Qur’an states:

“O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” [Qur’an, 2:153]

And any form of suffering, “not even the prick he receives from a thorn,” is a means by which Allah expiates a Muslim’s sins, purifying them for the Hereafter.

A prime example of patience, Prophet Ayyub was tested with severe illness, loss of wealth, and the death of his family. Despite these immense challenges, he never lost hope or lost trust in Allah, remaining steadfast in his remembrance of Allah. As a result, Allah restored his health and wealth, making him a timeless example of perseverance.

When his sons presented a bloodied shirt and claimed that a wolf had devoured his beloved son Prophet Yusuf, Prophet Yaqub (AS) responded with “patience most fitting” (Sabrun Jamil), trusting in Allah’s plan even when the immediate situation seemed hopeless.

Umm Salamah (RA), after the death of her husband, she recited the supplication taught by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him):

“Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. Allahummah-ajurni fi musibati wa akhlif li khairan minha” (To Allah we belong and to Him is our return. O Allah, reward me for my affliction and replace it with something better).

Allah compensated her by her becoming the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) himself, a far better outcome.

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) endured immense personal losses (wife, children, uncle etc) and community boycott and persecution. He faced every trial with grace and dignity, always saying what was pleasing to his Lord and trusting that Allah’s help was always near, providing a model for all Muslim believers.

Hadith number 19 in An-Nawawi’s Forty Hadith states:

“And know that what has passed you by [and you have failed to attain] was not going to befall you, and what has befallen you was not going to pass you by. And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and hardship with ease.”

A Hadith from Sahih Muslim mentions that a strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than a weak believer, and that there is good in everyone, but one should focus on what benefits them in the hereafter and seek help from Allah.

Some Hadith also discuss how difficulties and hardships are a means of purifying the soul and drawing closer to Allah Almighty.

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:

“No Muslim is afflicted with any harm but that Allah will remove his sins as the leaves of a tree fall down.”

This profound Hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari highlights one of the merciful and transformative aspects of trials and hardships in the life of a Muslim believer. When a Muslim believer endures difficulties with patience and steadfastness, Allah, in His infinite wisdom, uses those trials as a means to purify them from their sins, just as the leaves of a tree naturally fall away.

This teaching emphasises the importance of submission to Allah.

In every circumstance, whether in times of ease or hardship. It reminds us that challenges are not meaningless; rather, they are opportunities for spiritual growth and purification. By trusting in Allah’s wisdom and decree, a Muslim can find solace and strength, knowing that their patience and faith are being rewarded in ways that may not always be immediately visible. And the submission to Allah involves:

1. Patience (Sabr): Enduring difficulties with a calm and trusting heart, knowing that Allah’s plan is perfect.

2. Gratitude (Shukr): Being thankful in times of ease and recognising Allah’s blessings.

3. Trust in Allah (Tawakkul): Relying entirely on Allah’s wisdom and timing, knowing that He is the best of planners.

4. Reflection (Tafakkur): Understanding that every trial has a purpose and seeking the lessons and opportunities for growth in it.

Also this Hadith serves as a reminder that every hardship is a form of divine mercy, a chance to draw closer to Allah, and a means to attain His forgiveness. It encourages Muslim believers to embrace life’s challenges with a positive and faithful outlook, knowing that Allah’s mercy encompasses all things.

As part of our Islamic faith, we believe that all matters are in the hands of Allah. However, for some of us, our faith can get shaken during the times of trials and hardships. It is during those times though, that we should remind ourselves that a believer’s position and rank is raised in front of Allah, and that such a hardship may very well be a sign of Allah’s love for us. This can help us in maintaining and even strengthening our faith. As Allah Almighty said:

“…Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning.” [Surah Az-Zumar:10]

A true Muslim believer is patient in the face of all hardships, understanding that all things that happen to the believer has some good in it. When you are patient and grateful, you grow closer to Allah, and He rewards you in this life and the next.

If you have been sick or suffering from worldly affairs be rest assured that Allah Al-Malik (the king of heaven and earth) is surely aware of your situation, sure it is not easy. But again, know in your mind and believe in your heart that it is indeed better for you. For, if you bear patiently, it will be a means of expiation for your sins and a source of great reward from Allah the creator of the entire universe. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:

“There is nothing that befalls a Muslim believer, not even a thorn that pricks him, but Allah will record one good deed for him and will remove one bad deed from him.” [Muslim]

On the Day of Resurrection, when people who had suffered affliction are given their reward with happiness and smiles on their faces, those who were healthy will wish their skins had been cut to pieces with scissors when they were in the world (when they see the immense rewards for the afflictions they suffered).[At-Tirmidhi]

Let’s be patient in all situations, hardship is almost everywhere and we should also note that Allah is fully aware of all that we are passing through.

And know that patience is not achieved by words but by remembrance, prayer, and hope in the reward promised by Allah Almighty.

During the most challenging times in Makkah, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and his companions showed incredible faith and resilience. Their journey through trials teaches us valuable lessons on how to stay strong and patient, even in the face of adversity.

“… Allah is truly with those who are patient.” [Qur’an, 2:153]

May Allah Ease our suffering and Reward us for our Patience.

May Allah strengthens our Iman and protect us from any satanic influences.

Allah Almighty, we lift up our nation, Nigeria, into Your loving hands. Bless our land with peace, unity, and progress. Guide our leaders with wisdom, integrity, and compassion. Strengthen our communities with love and understanding. Protect us from violence, corruption, and division. Help us build a nation where justice flows, opportunities grow, and every citizen lives in dignity and hope. Ya Allah, heal our land and let Your light shine upon Nigeria. Allah of all wisdom and peace, bless our country with unity, justice, and compassion. Guide our leaders to act with integrity, and strengthen our people with courage and kindness. Protect our land, heal our divisions, and help us walk together in hope. May peace take root here, and may love be our way forward.

Ya Allah, whoever has a hand in terrorism, in kidnapping, in banditry, in destroying our country, in all the crises taking place in Nigeria directly or indirectly, Muslim or non-Muslim, old or young, Southerner or Northerner, Pastor or Imam, educated or uneducated, security agent or civilian, politician, business man, civil servant or labourer, whoever he may be, may Allah expose them, destroy them, put them on shame and send His wrath, punishment and calamity on them. Ya Allah, don’t allow them to know peace, don’t allow them to experience peace and happiness in their entire lives.

Ya Allah, destroy all the terrorists and idiots collecting ransom and causing pains to Nigerians. Whoever support these animals will never get peace of mind and their generation never end well In Shaa Allah!

Respected brothers and sisters! Our hearts bleed, Our tears keep flowing, We are suffering, Our pain know no bound,

So painful…!

Fellow Nigerians! Say NO to war, Say NO to racism, Say NO to tribalism, Say NO to double standards, Say NO to corruption, Say NO to bad governance, Say NO to criminal politicians, Say NO to extremism, Say NO to terrorism, Say NO to banditry, Say NO to insurgency, Say NO to kidnapping, Say NO to ethnoreligious crisis, Say NO to the using of religion in a bad way, Say NO to foreign intervention, Say NO to animalistic behaviour, Say NO to ignorance. Let’s all unite to take back our country. Let’s join hand to reclaim our beloved nation. United we stand divided we fall…!

We pray for a Nigeria filled with peace, mercy, compassion and justice.

Absolutely! Allah is always with us, even in our loneliest moments. He is the best protector, the best listener, and the most merciful. Trust in His plan, and He will guide you through every difficulty. Stay strong and keep your faith alive!

Dear brothers and sisters! May Allah see you through in all your endeavours.

Ya, Allah! There is no power nor might except with You, so grant us the best of this world, in the grave and that of the afterlife, O You the Merciful, ameen.

Wassalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa bara ka tuh.

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. Prayers, peace and mercy are upon our beloved master, Muhammad, the son of Abdullah (Peace be upon him), his family and Companions.

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