The Believer’s Clarity When Tested: The Power of Patience and Prayer in Responding to Tests and Trials – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

In this khutba delivered at the Sayeda Khadija Centre, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani gives a powerful explanation of the clarity the believer has in responding to the tests and trials of life.
The believer recognizes everything–good and bad, pleasing and displeasing–as being a test. All of life, in reality is a test, as Allah Most High makes clear in the Qur’an: “He has created death and life in order to truly test you–which of you are best in deeds.” [Qur’an, 67.2]

Shaykh Faraz explains a set of verses from Surat al-Baqara in which Allah guides us on how to respond to the tests and trials of life–and the tremendous consequences of right response:
“You who believe, seek help through patience and prayer, for Allah is with the steadfast. Do not say that those died in the path of Allah are dead. Rather, they are alive, though you do not realize it. We shall certainly test you with fear and hunger, and loss of property, lives, and crops. But give glad tidings to the steadfastly patient–those who say, when afflicted with calamity, ‘We belong to God and to Him we shall return.’ These will have blessings upon them from their Lord and mercy–and it is they who are rightly guided.” [Qur’an, 2.153-157]
Shaykh Faraz explains that:
(1) The believer sees everything as being from Allah
(2) The believer holds to patience (sabr)–which, he explained, is “remaining firm on what is pleasing to Allah”
(3) The believer responds in accordance to what will please Allah
(4) This patience is always accompanied by thankfulness (shukr), as the believer sees everything as a blessing–an opportunity for drawing closer to Allah, and for eternal reward.
This makes every moment of the believer’s life beautiful and blessed, as the verses above make clear.
This khutba was part of SeekersGuidance Toronto’s community outreach initiative. Please support SeekersGuidance Toronto as it provides completely free, reliable Islamic learning, through Knowledge Without Barriers. Make a donation, today. Every contribution counts, even if small: https://seekersguidance.org/donate
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