Surah al-Baqarah (The Cow) Ayah 154 to 157 lays emphasis
on the “Life of the Martyrs” and “The Trial and testing of mankind” by Allah
(s.w.t.). Ayah 154 says: “Wa La Taqulu Leman Yuqtalu Fi Sabil liallahe Amwa’tun
Bal Ahyaun Walakin La Tash’urun” “Do not consider those who are slain for the
cause of Allah (s.w.t.) to be dead. They are alive but you are unaware of them.”
Ayah 155 to Ayah 157 says: “Wa Lanabluwannakum Beshai’in Minal Khaufe Walju’e
Wa Naqsin Minal Amw’ale Walanfuse Wassamarate Wa Bashshiril Sa’berina. Allazina
Iza Asa’bathum Museebatun Qa’lu Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Ilaihe Ra’jeun. Ula’ika
Alaihim Salawatun Miinrrabbehim Wa Rahmatun Wa Ula’ika Humul Muhtadun.” “We
shall test you through fear, hunger, and loss of life, property, and crops
(sons). (Muhammad), give glad tidings to the (steadfast) patients. Who, when a
calamity befalls them (by showing perseverance), say: verily we belong to
Allah, and certainly unto Him we shall return. Those are they on whom are
blessings and Mercy from their Lord, and they are the ones that are guided
(aright).”
The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) said: “Even
though Allah knows them more than they know themselves, yet He does so
to let them perform actions with which they earn reward or punishment.”
Apparently, these Ayahs fit the Martyrs of Karbala who were Infallible Imam
Husayn (a.s.), his relatives and his companions.
In reality, Allah is the owner and master of His
creatures but in His Sublime Mercy, He has given permission to the creatures to
own all his powers but man had misunderstood and boasts that he owns
everything!
From the understanding that we are for Him, the loss of
any gift does not affect us because He is the Master and we are the slaves, all
the gifts and we ourselves belong to Him. Today He grants us something,
tomorrow He takes it back. And the fact that we will return to Him gives us a
lesson that this worldly life is temporary and short-lived and any loss of
gifts will pass away very soon. These concepts strengthen the patience.
Testing by Allah has been mentioned at more than twenty
places in the Glorious Qur’an. Allah knows even what is in our hearts but He
wants to reveal and bring to light what is obscured in it. The standard for
the reward and punishment is not based on what is in our hearts but it is based
on those thoughts as exhibited by our deeds and character.
Testing has been stated at many places in the Glorious
Qur’an; Surah al-Ankabut Ayah 2: “Do people think they will not be tested
because they say, “We have faith?” Surah al-Baqarah Ayah 124: “When his Lord
tested Ibrahim’s faith (by His words) and he satisfied the test….” Surah
al-Namal Ayah 40: “When Sulayman saw the throne placed before him, he said,
“This is a favor from my Lord by which He wants to test whether I am grateful
or ungrateful.”
Apart from the above-mentioned modes of testing by
Allah, there are modes of testing like dreams of prophets, virtues and vices
etc.
Secret of success in the tests and trials: 1. Exercise patience as stated above. 2.
Realization that the trials and tribulations of this world are temporary and
will pass away very soon. The “Kalama Isterja” which says,” We are for
Allah and we will return to Him” is the center of one’s trust in Allah. 3.
Seeking help from the Most Powerful as explained in Surah al-Ankabut Ayah 69
which says: “We certainly guide those who strive for Our cause (with patience),
to Our path (keep them on it well protected). Allah is certainly with the
righteous ones.” 4. It is very effective for the facing of
trials and tests to scrutinize the conditions of people in history. Allah, to
increase the spiritual strength of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and the
believers, says in Surah al-Ana’m Ayah 10: “They mocked the Messengers who
lived before you (Muhammad), but those who received warnings of punishment and
mocked the warnings, all suffered their torments accordingly.” 5.
It increases the resolve to face the trials and tests by the fact that
everything is happening in the presence of Allah and He is aware of it. The
Chief of Martyrs Imam Husayn (a.s.), after witnessing the painful martyrdom of
his near relatives, said: “It is easier for me to face these events as I am
aware that it is happening within Allah’s knowledge”
Sources:
The Glorious Qur’an (Urdu
translation-Tafsir-e-Namoona) by Ayatollah Nasir Makarem Shirazi
(English translation) by Ayatollah
Agha H.M.M.Pooya
(Urdu translation-Al-Mizan) by
Ayatollah al-Uzma Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai
Nahjul
Balagha A collection of Imam Ali
(a.s.)’s sermons, letters and sayings
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