Mercy and Pain

Abu Hurayra narrates that the Prophet said: "When Allah created creation, He wrote a book, which is with Him above the Throne, saying: My mercy overcomes My wrath." Every relationship we are a part of will bring us pain. Whether it's with our parents, siblings, spouse, employer...all relationships will be strained or put to the test during difficult times. In our relationship with Allah (SWT), we will also experience pain - except the pain that comes from Allah is different than other pain which is inflicted upon us in our relationships. According to The Names and Attributes of Allah, by sheikh umar sulaiman al-ashqar, one of Allah’s names is "al-mubtalee" or, "the One who tests with trials." Out of His ultimate Mercy and forgiveness, Allah gives us so many chances to come back to Him. He puts us through tests in order for us to realize our errors...and to be purified just like gold is purified by intense heat. Just because Allah tests us, it doesn't mean He is punishing us for doing something wrong. It is through our actions and reactions to the tests He puts forth, that we determine whether we will be among the successful or not. Allah knows us better than we know ourselves, He knows our weaknesses and our strengths. Allah gives us painful tests in order to bring us closer to Him, to purify us, to cleanse us of our sins. So next time you feel you're going through something difficult, remember that this is your chance to turn back to Allah and ask for forgiveness. "Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous (3:133)" Allah is The All-seeing, The all-hearing, The Just. And so, the only relationship that you can count on through thick and thin, is the one you have with Allah. So don't screw it up. And when you're going through a tough time, don't forget that "With every hardship there is ease, with every hardship there is ease." (94:5-6)