Fatwa #440413 December 2001United Kingdom
Dear Imam, I have been on the Deen for several years now & its had more sad times than good. Ive been told its Allahs way of testing me.
Question
According to Surah Ankabut Ayah 2? Because most of my friends are born into Islam & they have life so easy. Whatever they want they get with ease & some dont really even pray! this Ramadhan ive seen half-hearted efforts for them to leave their houses to pray Taraweeh. Yet I make an effort & my life is so sad. Does not Allah test all people or being born into the Deen means that you have an easy ticket to jannah? I try my hardest & all people say is its a test & that after hardship comes ease. All I see is hardship & im finding it very hard to cope even though I try with extra deeds to get close to Allah. Doesnt He want me close? Is this His way of saying Im doomed. How do I know when He hates/loves me? Im so confused & geting despondant. All I see around me is people who dont try to even keep their 5 times prayers get so much from Allah. But its like my striving isnt worth anything. I dont pray for anything but Allahs pleasure. But I thought if I obeyed Him it would be easier for Him to respond my Duaa. He says He is angry when we dont supplicate. I supplicate so why is my life so sad?
Answer
The purpose of any worship is certainly to earn Allah's pleasure. That will%0D%0Abe manifested by Allah after our death in Jannah (paradise). The comforts of%0D%0Athis world have no value at all in the sight of Allah and neither can it be%0D%0Aan iota of the reward for your sacrifices. Be rest assured that Allah does%0D%0Anot reward in any insignificant way. Allah says in the Quran, If true%0D%0ABelievers would not get despondent, He would grant disbelieves every comfort%0D%0Aof the world but he has limited that in consideration of the feelings of the%0D%0ABelievers. Rasulullah (SAW) said that Allah said, If the world held any%0D%0Avalue in the sight of Allah, He would not give a disbeliever even a drop of%0D%0Awater. However, the reality is, the world is not even equivalent to the%0D%0Awings of a misquito. Possessing the comfort of this world is not a criteria%0D%0Ato determine acceptance or rejection. Should that be the case, Rasulullah%0D%0A(SAW), the greatest prophet of Allah would not have spent his life in a%0D%0Asmall hut, he would not have spent his life without food for months, etc.%0D%0ARasulullah (SAW) said, Those that are close to him also share in hardships%0D%0Aand difficulty. You are indeed fortunate to be one of them. Hence, there is%0D%0Ano reason for you to be in despair and grief. Infact, it is a moment of%0D%0Arejoicing and happiness. Leave your matter to Allah, when He bestows you any%0D%0Agood, be thankful, and when in difficulty, make sabr. That was the Sunnah of%0D%0ARasulullah (SAW).%0D%0A%0D%0Aand Allah Ta'ala Knows Best%0D%0A%0D%0AMufti Ebrahim Desai%0D%0AFATWA DEPT.%0D%0A