“Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear…” [Qur’an, 2:286]
This is a verse that on many a time has kept me going, has restored faith in me on numerous occasions and often one of the first pieces of advice I give to my friends!
You see, We almost see physical proof of this; Sure we often go through stages of not being able to cope, people tell us of their troubles and we try to do the most we can for them. Consoling them, listening and just being there when they need somebody around.
With this, ‘9 times out of 10′ they come out the other end a stronger person – exhausted maybe but almost definitely stronger.
Some may argue that those who commit suicide clearly were not able to bear this burden, to these people I say that suicide is of course a harsh reality of life often put to the side or downplayed as an attempt at attention – at the end of the day however it is voluntary, in the nature of the word – Sui (From Latin, meaning ‘Of Oneself’ and Cidium (meaning ‘a killing’). Who is to say that had that person gone on they would have seen themselves through whatever troubled situation they were in! To elaborate, we often read of near misses where people have said if not for a passer-by or epiphany they’d have made fatal jumps or cuts but have realised the value of life and have gone on to live a happier more content life!
So why did I just dedicate an entire paragraph to suicide?
What often leads people to suicide is a life/stage of life of difficulty and hardship, a life in which the bearer has often experienced loss, and could be in the process of bereavement.
However the point i’m trying to emphasise is that it is by choice, the idea of life being a test is mentioned many times in the Quran, most notably:
“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits…” [Qur’an, 2:155]
I don’t need to digress with my anecdote but the person who highlighted this verse has been through a lot in the last few months, and yet has retained his outgoing nature and unwavering sense of wit and humour, when he easily could have had himself written off work for an extended period but no! He kept on and this sense of devotion astounds me.
We all will die eventually, no matter how abundant positivity is. No matter how comfortable in bed we are and the wads of cash we fondle. In fact from an Islamic perspective it is summed up perfectly in this verse of the Quran:
“Every human being is bound to taste death: but only on the Day of Resurrection will you be requited in full [for whatever you have done] – whereupon he that shall be drawn away from the fire and brought into paradise will indeed have gained a triumph: for the life of this world is nothing but an enjoyment of self-delusion.” – [Quran 3:185]
The final messenger of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him) always looked to the Akhirah (The Afterlife) rather than from this Dunya (This world) – in fact just this morning I watched a video that I will link telling of a time that the first successor of the Prophet Muhammad was told about the danger of seeking solely from this world!
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSnxAQ68AcU
So you see in Allah (God’s) Infinite knowledge and wisdom, however much disarray we think of the universe being in, is all controlled and is done to come round full circle, these tests are a test of character and strength within a person and like I said, we all are able to deal with our problems, it’s just actually bearing that burden rather than just contemplating doing so!
May Allah guide you all and may you all be at peace eventually whatever religion you follow!
Young Dawah 