Every events that happen to a Muslim has a sort of goodness in it. Even if the events seem so much unfavourable and unbearable. Those who overcome such ordeals will recognise their weakness before Allah and reconsider how much they are in need of Him. They will turn to Allah with much humility through prayers and rememberence. "It may well be that you dislike something in which Allah has placed a lot of good" (An-Nissa 4:19)
"It may be that you hate something when it is good for you and it may be that you love something when it is bad for you. Allah knows and you know not." (Al Baqarah 2:216)
A believer believes that Allah created the world to test mankind. As an inherent part of this examination, God test man sometimes with blessings and at other times with hardships. People who do not evaluate events in the light of the Quran, fail to give the appropriate intepretation to events, and become downhearted and fall into hopelessness.
A servant of God can have no real faith unless he believes in fate with its good and evil sides and knows that he cannot prevent anything that befalls him (good or evil) and he cannot catch anything that escapes from him (good or evil) [Hadith]
A believers believe that even if he can not eliminate the problem, he knows that Allah keep everything under His control. For this reason, he is content with Allah no matter what situation he encounters, he believe in His eternal compassion and mercy and put his trust in him. If Allah does not answer his call immediately, he certainly knows a greater goodness and beauty are hidden in this.
Believers have faith in fate and they know that the fate Allah creates is the best for them.
"So verily, with every difficulty there is relief. Verily, with every difficulty, there is relief." (Surah Al-Insyirah 94:5-6)
Nevertheless it does NOT mean that one "does not need to do anything and surrender his life to nothing". A point mentioned in the Quran about putting tust in Allah is talking measures. The Prophet Jacob advised his son to take measures while entering the city but afterwards he reminded them to place trust in Allah
"He said, "My sons! You must not enter through a single gate. Go in through different gates. But I cannot save you from Allah at all, for judgement comes from no one but Allah. In Him I put my trust, and let all those who put their trust, put it in Him Alone." (Surah Yusuf 12:67)
As seen in the words of the Prophet Jacob, believers take precautions, but they know they cannot change what God has willed for them. One example is that a student study hard to become a doctor. However even after all the hard work, he still didnt manage to become a doctor. Yet he should not be depressed. Perhaps there are much better jobs out there for him, such as teacher. And Allah knows best.
"Nothing occurs in the earth or in you, but as inscribed in the Book of Decree before We make it happen. That is easy for Allah. In order that you will not be grieved about the things that pass you by nor exult about the things that comes to you. God does not like any vain or boastful man" (Surah Al Hadid:22-23)
Life is a test, but just because Allah knows which way you are going to choose to take, that does not mean that He causes you to choose that path. For Allah created us with free will. And it is precisely because we were created with free will that life is a test.
Also it is important to take note that Allah, the Merciful, Compassionate and Just, creates ease in everything and test people within the limits of their strengths, as mentioned in many verse of the Holy Quran:
"No burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear." (Surah Al-An'am 6:152)
"No burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear." (Surah Al-A'raf 7:42)
"On no soul do We place a burden greater than it can bear.(Surah Al-Muminun 23:62)
When a painful situation occurs, my heart may ache badly, and tears may flow. But nevertheless, I will constantly bear in patience with a smile. This is the Islam way of life. =)
"Wondrous are the believers's affairs. For him there is good in all his affairs, and this is so ONLY for the believer. When something pleasing happens to him, he is grateful, and that is good for him; and when something displeasing happens to him, he is patient, and that is good for him." [Hadith Muslim]
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Acknowledgement:
-Holy Quran
-Hadith
-Harun Yahya