Introduction
Even though many Muslims in today’s time choose to think negatively about the world and its inhabitants, Islam actually encourages the opposite. Islam is a way of life which encourages and emphasizes positive thinking. If we want to make our journey a peaceful one in this Dunya then we must certainly believe that we will be put through tests and trials. Being tested in this Dunya, facing hardships, is something that we cannot completely ignore and omit. We cannot sit back and expect things to fall into place while allowing our minds and hearts to drift off track. One of the first and most basic things that we need to realise and commit ourselves to is maintaining a positive attitude at all times, especially when we are distressed or sad which, as this is an essential part of Islam. We must feed our minds and our hearts with the reality of this world (Dunya) which is just a temporary place where we are meant to face hardships.
Tests and Trials: A Qur’anic Perspective
Allah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Glorious Qur’an:
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.
(Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 155)
Allah سبحانه و تعالى also says
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ ٱلْبَأْسَآءُ وَٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ نَصْرَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌۭ
Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, “When (will come) the Help of Allah?” Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near!.
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:214)
After believing and having faith in Allah سبحانه و تعالى , do we still think that we will attain the goal of entering Paradise without being tested in this life?
We all will certainly be put to test in different ways like the ones before us, including the Prophets and the Messengers (peace be upon them all) of Allah سبحانه و تعالى. Some of them were afflicted by poverty, hardship, and trials so intense that they were shaken, to the point that even the Messenger and those who believed with him cried out:
“When will the help of Allah سبحانه و تعالى come?”
Indeed, the help of Allah سبحانه و تعالى is near. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:214)
Indeed, the help of Allah سبحانه و تعالى is near. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:214)
When we reflect on this verse from the Qur’an we realise that no matter how severe our struggles may be, the help of Allah سبحانه و تعالى will surely come, at the time He wills. This belief will act as a boon to our distressed mind and heart. Hope, trust, belief and faith, these should form the foundation and pillars of our positive attitude.
The Year of Sorrow: The Prophet’s Example of Resilience
Even our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ went through numerous hardships and trials. In just a single year he went through hardships that many of us will never see in a whole lifetime. The year we are referring to is known as the Year of Sadness, and there’s no better way to illustrate ‘positive thinking in the face of hardship’ than by reflecting on this very year.
This was Aam al Huzn (the year of sorrow) in which our beloved Prophet ﷺ lost two of his dearest people. One was his wife, Khadeejah (may Allah سبحانه و تعالى be pleased with her), who was his absolute soulmate. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ always remembered Khadeejah (may Allah سبحانه و تعالى be pleased with her).
One time he ﷺ remarked his beloved wife Khadeejah (may Allah سبحانه و تعالى be pleased with her) as “she believed in me when all others disbelieved; she held me truthful when others called me a liar; she sheltered me when others abandoned me; she comforted me when others shunned me; and Allah سبحانه و تعالى granted me children by her while depriving me of children by other women.”
(Musnad Ahmad, Vol. 41, p. 356)
The second person was his uncle, Abu Talib, who was not only dearly beloved to him ﷺ, but also a crucial figure in his life from childhood through adulthood. Abu Talib was a strong political and moral supporter of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, standing by him during intense trials (fitan) and protecting him from the hostility and opposition of those who were fiercely against Islam.
Abu Talib was one of those good-hearted people who inspite of not entering into the fold of Islam had helped him ﷺ. After the death of Abu Talib, the Quraysh the Quraysh gained a free hand and intensified their persecution, as there was no one left to shield and protect the Prophet ﷺ
Yet, despite facing such heartbreaking losses and increased hostility, the Prophet ﷺ remained steadfast and resilient. He did not give up on his mission or question Allah’s سبحانه و تعالى plan. Instead, he turned even more sincerely to his Lord, continued spreading the message of truth, and sought new opportunities, like his journey to Ta’if. His perseverance during this painful period is a powerful reminder that hardships are not the end, they can be the beginning of something greater when we place our trust in Allah سبحانه و تعالى .
The Journey to Taif: Patience and Positivity in Action
With the sorrow of losing two of his beloved people still persisting, he ﷺ used to travel and visit different tribes and different individuals, inviting them to Islam. Yet, all the tribes and most of the people he went to, rejected him. At Taif, the second biggest town of Hijaz, there lived a big clan called Banu Thaqif. Prophet ﷺ left for Taif with the hope of winning them over to Islam, thereby providing a sanctuary for the Muslims from the persecution of the Quraysh and also establishing a base for the future propagation of Islam. On reaching Taif, Prophet ﷺ visited the three chieftains of the clan separately, and placed before each of them the message of Allah سبحانه و تعالى, and called upon each of them to stand by his side. Instead of accepting his message, they refused to even listen to him and not in keeping the famous Arab hospitality, each of them treated him most disrespectfully and rudely. They plainly told him that they did not like his stay in their town.
As they were the heads of the clan, Prophet ﷺ had expected a civil and friendly treatment and due courtesy in speech from them. But one of them sneered: “Hey, is it true that Allah سبحانه و تعالى has made you a Nabi?” The other exclaimed with ridicule: “Could Allah سبحانه و تعالى not lay His hand on anyone else, beside you to make him His Nabi?” The third one mockingly remarked: “I do not want to talk to you, for if you are in fact a Nabi, then to oppose you is to invite trouble, and if you only pretend to be one, why should I talk with an impostor?” [Tareekh-e-Islam 1/122]
Prophet ﷺ, who was a rock of steadfastness and perseverance, did not lose heart over this check from the chieftains and tried to approach the common people; but nobody would listen to him. Instead they asked him to clear off from their town and go wherever else he liked. When he realized that further efforts were in vain, he decided to leave the town, but they would not let him depart in peace and set the street urchins after him to hiss, to hoot, to jeer at, and to stone him. He ﷺ was so much pelted with stones that his whole body was covered with blood and his shoes were clogged to his feet. He left the town in this sorrowful light. When he was far out of the town and safe from the mob, he prayed to Allah سبحانه و تعالى saying:
رَبِّي، اِلَى مَنْ تَكِلُّنِيْ اِلَى بَعِيْدٍ يَتَجَهَّمُنِيْ ؟ اَوْ اِلَى عَدُوٍّ مَلَكْتَهُ اَمْرِيْ ؟ اِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ بِكَ غَضَبٌ عَلَيَّ فَلاَ اُبَالِيْ وَلَكِنْ عَافِيَتَكَ هِيَ اَوْسَعُ لِيْ، أَعُوْذُ بِنُوْرِوَجْهِكَ الَّذِيْ اَشْرَقَتْ بِهِ الظُّلُمَاتُ، وَصَلُحَ عَلَيْهِ اَمْرُ الدُّنْيَا وَاْلاَخِرَةِ مِنْ اَنْ تُنَزِّلَ بِي غَضَبُكَ اَوْ تَحُلُّ بِي سَخَطُكَ، لَكَ الْعَتْبَي حَتَّى تَرْضَي، وَلاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ اِلاَّبِكَ. (الرحيق المختوم
“Oh Allah, I complain to You alone that I am weak, that I do not have any resources and that I do not hold any significance in the eyes of the people. O, Most Merciful of all those who show mercy, You are the Rabb (Lord) of the weak, and You are my own Rabb (Lord). To whom are You to going to entrust me? To a stranger who would look at me harshly or to an enemy, to whom You have given control over my affairs. If You are not angry with me, then I do not care for anything except that I should enjoy Your protection. I seek shelter in Your light (noor), which removes all sorts of darknesses and controls the affairs of this world and the hereafter. May it never be that you become angry with me or you are displeased with me. I must please you until You are happy with me. There is neither strength (to refrain from evil) nor any power (to do any good) except with You.” (Ar-Raheeq-Al-Makhtum)
The Heavens were moved by the Du’a and Jibreel (peace be upon him) appeared in front of The Prophet ﷺ greeting him with As Salaamu Alaikum and said: “Allah سبحانه و تعالى knows all that has passed between you and these people. He has deputed the angel in charge of the mountains to be at your command.” Saying this, Jibreel (peace be upon him) brought the angel before the very eyes of the Prophet ﷺ. The angel greeted the Prophet with As Salaamu Alaikum and said: “O, Nabi of Allah سبحانه و تعالى, I am at your service. If you wish, I can cause the mountains overlooking this town on both sides to collide with each other, so that all the people therein would be crushed to death, or you may suggest any other punishment for them.” The merciful and noble Prophet ﷺ said: “Even if these people do not accept Islam, I do hope from Allah سبحانه و تعالى that there will be individuals from their progeny who would worship Allah سبحانه و تعالى and serve His cause.”
Lessons from the Prophet’s Conduct
Look at the conduct, patience and the positivity of our noble Prophet ﷺ whom we profess to follow. We get so much irritated over a little trouble that we tend to forget our responsibilities as a Muslims. Our Eemaan dwindles and we try to look for solutions in things and places which will not help us at all. Thus, after searching, when we don’t see the clear sky, negativities pave their way in. Just for example, a mere abuse from somebody will make us keep on torturing them and taking revenge throughout our lives in every possible manner. But does this form of attitude befit people who claim to call themselves ‘Believers’ and ‘followers of the noble Prophet ﷺ?’
Even after so much suffering at the hands of the Taif mob, Prophet ﷺ neither cursed them nor did he wish for any revenge, even when he had the full opportunity to do so. Despite of all these difficulties and the trials, our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ always responded in a very positive way. Throughout all the hardships, including the loss of his beloved wife Khadeejah (may Allah سبحانه و تعالى be pleased with her), his dear uncle Abu Talib, his companions, and the grief of losing his own children, his Eemaan never wavered. There were times when he used to feel the sorrow but he never lost his positive attitude and continued spreading the message of Islam in the best of ways that he knew.
Allah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Glorious Qur’an:
لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌۭ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلْيَوْمَٱلْـَٔاخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًۭا
Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah often.
(Surah Al-Ahzab, Ayah 21)
And speaking about hardship Allah سبحانه و تعالى says
وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ ۖ وَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تُحِبُّوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَهُوَ شَرٌّۭ لَّكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
Perhaps you dislike something which is good for you and like something which is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not know.
(Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 216)
This verse teaches a powerful lesson—what looks like a setback might actually be setting you up for something better. And what feels like a blessing could carry hidden harm. We see only a small piece of the puzzle, but Allah سبحانه و تعالى sees the full picture. So even when we go through pain, disappointment, or loss, we should hold on to the hope that Allah’s سبحانه و تعالى plan is better than ours. If we truly trust that He knows what we don’t, we’ll find comfort even in life’s hardest moments.
Nothing is more beneficial for us than abiding by the judgments of Allah سبحانه و تعالى , even if it is difficult for us at the beginning, because all its outcomes are good, peaceful, delightful, and pleasurable. In the same way, nothing is more harmful for us than committing what is forbidden, even if we love it. All its outcomes are pain, grief, emptiness, evil and misfortune.
Scholarly Wisdom on Embracing Hardships
Hassan Al Basri رحمه الله said: “Don’t hate hardships that you face. Perhaps that which you hate is what will save you and perhaps that which you like may harm you”.
Shaykh Saleh Al-Uthaymeen رحمه الله said: “Do not hate a thing which Allah سبحانه و تعالى has chosen for you; certainly whatever Allah سبحانه و تعالى has chosen for you has a greater benefit which you do not know about.”
We must always know that distress, hardship and problems are blessing in disguise for those who are patient and hope for reward from Allah سبحانه و تعالى. The believer’s psychology should be the one which remembers that, Allah سبحانه و تعالى forgive sins for every discomfort that he/she will experience throughout his/her life. Surely, trials are part of believer’s life journey. Perseverance is his reclining coach and Allah سبحانه و تعالى is the only hope for reward for every distress, hardship and emptiness.
Hadith Teachings: Positivity in All Circumstances
Prophet ﷺ said:
عَجَبًا لأَمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِنَّ أَمْرَهُ كُلَّهُ خَيْرٌ وَلَيْسَ ذَاكَ لأَحَدٍ إِلاَّ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاءُ صَبَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ
Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer for if he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (God), thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is a good for him in it.
(Saheeh al Muslim, Hadith 2999)
This Hadith teaches us to approach life with positivity. The good times are opportunities for gratitude and the difficult times are tests of patience. Both situations are good for us, so no matter what happens in our lives, there is always a way to benefit from it. We just need to think and believe that We will surely win with the Help from Allah سبحانه و تعالى.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
يَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى أَنَا عِنْدَ ظَنِّ عَبْدِي بِي، وَأَنَا مَعَهُ إِذَا ذَكَرَنِي، فَإِنْ ذَكَرَنِي فِي نَفْسِهِ ذَكَرْتُهُ فِي نَفْسِي، وَإِنْ ذَكَرَنِي فِي مَلأٍ ذَكَرْتُهُ فِي مَلأٍ خَيْرٍ مِنْهُمْ، وَإِنْ تَقَرَّبَ إِلَىَّ بِشِبْرٍ تَقَرَّبْتُ إِلَيْهِ ذِرَاعًا، وَإِنْ تَقَرَّبَ إِلَىَّ ذِرَاعًا تَقَرَّبْتُ إِلَيْهِ بَاعًا، وَإِنْ أَتَانِي يَمْشِي أَتَيْتُهُ هَرْوَلَةً
Allah says: ‘I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him) and I am with him if He remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than they; and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.
(Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Hadith 7405)
Conclusion: A Mindset of Hope and Victory
In this important Hadith Al-Qudsi, Allah سبحانه و تعالى Himself informs us of the importance of positive thinking about Him. We must maintain good thoughts about our Creator and not allow the devil to place evil thoughts in our minds. The more positively we think about Allah سبحانه و تعالى , the more benefits we will gain from it, in this world and the next
Prophet ﷺ said:
إِيَّاكُمْ وَالظَّنَّ، فَإِنَّ الظَّنَّ أَكْذَبُ الْحَدِيثِ، وَلاَ تَجَسَّسُوا، وَلاَ تَحَسَّسُوا، وَلاَ تَبَاغَضُوا، وَكُونُوا إِخْوَانًا
Beware of suspicion, as suspicion is the falsest talk, and do not spy upon each other, and do not listen to the evil talk of the people about others’ affairs, and do not have enmity with one another, but be brothers.
(Saheeh al Bukhari, Hadith 5143)
Negative thinking in our daily life is the root cause of chaos, hatred, enmity, jealousy, and disunity. This Hadith prohibits all causes of negative thinking, whether it be unfounded suspicion, backbiting, or spying. All these sins must be avoided.
Life gets tough sometimes, and what really helps us through is how we think. Islam teaches us to stay hopeful, trust that Allah سبحانه و تعالى knows what’s best for us, even when we don’t understand it right away. When we stop assuming the worst, avoid gossip or judging others and try to think good about people and about Allah سبحانه و تعالى , it brings so much peace to our hearts. Positive thinking isn’t just good for us, it brings us closer to Allah سبحانه و تعالى and helps us build better, kinder relationships with others too.
May Allah سبحانه و تعالى protect us all from all negative thoughts.
