How to Face Difficulties and Find Strength Through Faith

Steps to Face Difficulties with Patience and Trust in Allah

Today, everyone is lamenting about their difficulties. Everywhere I look, people are expressing their worries and troubles. They cannot contain their hardships within themselves and openly display their grief and sorrow. Why do we think that life should be free of worries, that no sorrow should touch us, that we should always be happy and that life should always be full of joy? I am astonished by those who cannot handle difficulties. They express impatience, lament their problems here and there, and lose their strength in the face of hardships. Some even excessively cry out, making their faces and bodies a picture of grief and sorrow. Some people associate misfortune with their difficulties, blaming others for their troubles. Out of ignorance, many forget Allah and seek salvation from non-Islamic sources. A person who cannot endure their grief and throws themselves into the depths of despair is committing a grave sin. We often read in the newspapers about people committing suicide, jumping from rooftops, being killed by trains, bombs, or bullets. Whoever ends their life will enter hell and continue to harm themselves there. May Allah protect us from this dangerous sin.

Difficulties are a part of life. In this world, it is impossible to avoid hardships. At every step, there are challenges. Trials are intertwined with faith, and this is why the hardest tests are for the believers. This life is but another name for a trial; for this reason, the worldly life of a believer is a prison, and the life of a disbeliever is like a paradise. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
الدُّنْيَا سِجْنُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَجَنَّةُ الْكَافِرِ (صحيح مسلم:2956)
Translation: The world is the prison of the believer and the paradise of the disbeliever.

Who lives comfortably in a prison? It is filled with hardships. Even in their paradise, disbelievers experience discomfort. While believers, when they enter their paradise in the Hereafter, will not only experience pleasure but will forget all the hardships they endured in this world. Regarding the discomfort of disbelievers, Allah, the Almighty, says:
إِن تَكُونُوا تَأْلَمُونَ فَإِنَّهُمْ يَأْلَمُونَ كَمَا تَأْلَمُونَ ۖ وَتَرْجُونَ مِنَ اللَّهِ مَا لَا يَرْجُونَ ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا (النساء:104)
Translation: If you are suffering, they too are suffering as you suffer, and you hope for what they do not hope for, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

The best of human beings on Earth are the Prophets, and their trials are the most severe. Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that he asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
أَيُّ النَّاسِ أَشَدُّ بَلَاءً قَالَ الْأَنْبِيَاءُ ثُمَّ الْأَمْثَلُ فَالْأَمْثَلُ فَيُبْتَلَى الرَّجُلُ عَلَى حَسَبِ دِينِهِ فَإِنْ كَانَ دِينُهُ صُلْبًا اشْتَدَّ بَلَاؤُهُ وَإِنْ كَانَ فِي دِينِهِ رِقَّةٌ ابْتُلِيَ عَلَى حَسَبِ دِينِهِ فَمَا يَبْرَحُ الْبَلَاءُ بِالْعَبْدِ حَتَّى يَتْرُكَهُ يَمْشِي عَلَى الْأَرْضِ مَا عَلَيْهِ خَطِيئَةٌ (صحيح الترمذی:2398)
Translation: The hardest trials are for the Prophets, then those who are most similar to them, and then those who follow them in faith. A person is tested according to the strength of their faith. If their faith is strong, their trial will be severe. If their faith is weaker, the trial will be in accordance with their level of faith. The trial will continue to afflict the person until they walk on the earth without any sin.

The lives of the Prophets are filled with trials and tests. Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) endured severe tests, Prophet Ayyub (peace be upon him) was afflicted with a long illness, Prophet Yunus (peace be upon him) was swallowed by a fish, Prophet Ya’qub (peace be upon him) suffered the separation from his beloved son for many years, Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) was imprisoned, Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) faced the tyrannical Pharaoh, and the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was spent in poverty and orphanhood. These Prophets were the purest of humans, yet they were not spared from trials, so how can we expect to escape them in this troubled world? Everyone must undergo trials because the reward in the Hereafter for enduring them is great. How could one attain Paradise without enduring struggles and suffering?

Allah says:
أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ (العنکبوت:2)
Translation: Do people think that they will be left alone to say, “We believe,” and that they will not be tested?

Allah also says:
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ خَلَوْا مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ الْبَأْسَاءُ وَالضَّرَّاءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ الرَّسُولُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا إِنَّ نَصْرَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ (البقرۃ:214)
Translation: Do you think that you will enter Paradise without having experienced the same trials as those who came before you? They were afflicted with hardship and adversity, and were so shaken that the Messenger and the believers with him said, “When is the help of Allah?” Indeed, the help of Allah is near.

Allah says:
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ (155)
Translation: And We will surely test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives, and fruits. But give good tidings to the patient.

From these verses, we learn that Allah tests the believers in various ways in this world. They may be tested with illness, hunger, poverty, financial loss, grief, the oppression of enemies, or the slander of hypocrites. In such situations, weak believers or ignorant Muslims may resort to un-Islamic methods to deal with their problems, leading them to more difficulties and ruining their lives.

In truth, a believer finds joy in difficulties because it is during these moments that they achieve true knowledge of their Lord, their trust in Him becomes stronger, their hearts are solidified, their nature becomes gentler, their morals improve, and they understand that Allah alone is in control of harm and benefit. They realize that He is the giver of hardship and the remover of it. In these moments, a believer finds peace in remembering Allah and seeks refuge in Him.

Sometimes, even a common person or a tyrant learns a lesson from severe difficulties. When someone is afflicted with a terminal illness, and all help from friends, family, doctors, and medicines proves useless, the thought of the Creator arises, as the pride in money, power, position, and fame fades away. Some people’s lives are transformed, and they turn to their Creator, purifying their hearts and lives.

Nevertheless, life is nothing but a series of trials. It is futile to desire only joy here. Life is full of thorns, and we must endure. The Prophet ﷺ said:
إن العيشَ عيشُ الآخرةِ (صحيح البخاري:3795)
Translation: The true life is the life of the Hereafter.

Therefore, a believer considers this worldly life insignificant and prefers the Hereafter, viewing the difficulties of this world as mere moments, hoping for Allah’s reward in Paradise. However, we are often mistaken, placing all our hopes in this world and forgetting the Hereafter. Allah, the Almighty, says:
بَلْ تُؤْثِرُونَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَاوَالْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ (الاعلی:16،17)
Translation: But you prefer the worldly life, while the Hereafter is better and everlasting.

Steps to Ease Difficulties and Find Joy in Patience Through Faith

Let us remove from our hearts the love of this world, its pleasures, and material wealth, and return to our Lord. He is the One who forgives the sins of those who repent. Now, I will mention a few steps that can help ease difficulties, make them lighter, or provide joy in enduring them with patience.

(1) First, make the firm belief that whatever difficulty comes, it is from Allah. Do not attribute your hardships to people; recognize that it is Allah who decrees them. Allah says:
مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ (التغابن:11)
Translation: No calamity befalls except by the will of Allah. And whoever believes in Allah, He will guide their heart. And Allah is Knowing of all things.

(2) When facing difficulties, do not grieve, do not despair, do not let tears fall from your eyes, do not show signs of sorrow and despair on your face, and keep hope in Allah. Allah commands us:

وَلَا تَهِنُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَنتُمُ الْأَعْلَوْنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ (آل عمران:139)
Translation: Do not weaken and do not grieve, you will be superior if you are believers.

When the disbelievers of Makkah had come all the way to the cave of Thawr in search of the Prophet ﷺ, Abu Bakr (RA) became anxious upon seeing them and said, “O Messenger of Allah! If they look down at their feet, they will surely see us.” At that moment, the Prophet ﷺ said to Abu Bakr:

لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَنَا (التوبة:40)
Translation: Do not grieve, indeed Allah is with us.

(3) Consider difficulties as a source of strength for life, as a blessing and gift from your Lord, and remember Him even in the midst of hardships. He will remember you and ease your difficulties because through trials, He wants to make you His beloved. The Prophet ﷺ said:

مَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُصِبْ مِنْهُ (صحیح البخاری:5645)
Translation: When Allah intends good for someone, He afflicts them with trials.

(4) Difficulties erase sins, elevate one’s rank, and purify from sins. The Prophet ﷺ told Umm Sa’ib (or Umm Musayb) who had spoken ill of fever:

لا تسُبِّي الحُمَّى فإنها تُذهِبُ خطايا بني آدمَ كما يُذهبُ الكِيرُ خبثَ الحديدِ (صحيح مسلم:2575)
Translation: Do not curse the fever, for it removes the sins of the children of Adam as the forge removes the impurities from iron.

(5) In times of hardship, use patience as your weapon. Patience means holding onto it as soon as the trial strikes. The Prophet ﷺ said:

إِنَّمَا الصَّبْرُ عِنْدَ الصَّدْمَةِ الْأُولَى (صحیح البخاری:1283)
Translation: Patience is at the first strike of calamity.

(6) During difficult times, make supplications with patience, using the beautiful names of Allah and your good deeds as an intercession. When a servant asks Allah, “O my Lord, You are the One who grants hardships and removes them, relieve my troubles,” Allah is pleased and feels shy to return the person empty-handed, for the servant has called upon his Creator with humility. The Prophet ﷺ said:

إنَّ اللَّهَ حيِىٌّ كريمٌ يستحي إذا رفعَ الرَّجلُ إليْهِ يديْهِ أن يردَّهما صفرًا خائبتينِ (صحيح الترمذي:3556)
Translation: Allah is shy and generous; He feels shy to turn away the hands of someone who raises them in supplication, returning them empty-handed.

(7) Sometimes a calamity is sent due to a person’s sins. In such cases, feel remorse for your sins and repent to your Lord. He is very forgiving. Allah says:

وَمَا أَصَابَكُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُو عَن كَثِيرٍ (الشوری:30)
Translation: Whatever strikes you of hardship is due to what your hands have earned, and He pardons much.

(8) Despite committing sins upon sins, we do not feel fear, and we do not feel concern when abandoning obligatory acts. However, when we fear Allah, He helps us even through difficulties. Allah’s command is:

وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا (الطلاق:2)
Translation: And whoever fears Allah, He will make a way for him to escape.

(9) Clear the darkness from your heart through the remembrance of Allah, His worship, recitation, supplication, and sanctification. Until the heart is not heedless of Allah’s remembrance, it will not find peace, and life will seem difficult. Once the heart is at peace with the remembrance of Allah, every difficulty in the universe will seem small. Allah says:

الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ (الرعد:28)
Translation: Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah, hearts are assured.

Also remember, those who deliberately turn away from Allah’s remembrance and worship will be subjected to hardship. Allah says:

وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَن ذِكْرِي فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنكًا وَنَحْشُرُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَعْمَىٰ (طہ:124)
Translation: And whoever turns away from My remembrance — indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will raise him on the Day of Resurrection blind.

(10) A life filled with good deeds and faith brings a happy life. Allah says:

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً ۖ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ (النحل:97)
Translation: Whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer, We will surely give him a good life, and We will surely reward them according to the best of what they used to do.

(11) End unnecessary desires and reduce your needs. Often, the pursuit of worldly desires and the desire to fulfill every wish distance a person from religion. Such a person may possess worldly things but lacks faith. When in difficulty, wealth and fame cannot help; it is only in those times that one remembers their Lord. Therefore, learn to be content. Allah says:

مَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرْثَ الْآخِرَةِ نَزِدْ لَهُ فِي حَرْثِهِ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ يُرِيدُ حَرْثَ الدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا وَمَا لَهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِن نَّصِيبٍ (الشورى:20)
Translation: Whoever desires the harvest of the Hereafter — We increase for him his harvest. And whoever desires the harvest of this world — We give him thereof, but he has no share in the Hereafter.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

قد أفلحَ من أسلمَ ، ورُزِقَ كفافًا ، وقنَّعَه اللهُ بما آتاهُ (صحيح مسلم:1054)
Translation: He is successful who submits to Islam, is provided with enough sustenance, and is made content by Allah with what He has given him.

(12) Earn little but through lawful means, for there is blessing in it. Trust in Allah in all matters, whether in ease or difficulty. He is sufficient for His servants. Allah says:

وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ ۚ (الطلاق:3)
Translation: And whoever relies upon Allah — then He is sufficient for him.

Finally, remember that without Allah’s decree, the entire world cannot harm you. Therefore, do not seek to please the world; seek to please Allah through righteous deeds. If you have pleased your Creator and Sustainer, your troubles will vanish, and even if they persist, you will smile and feel no sorrow, for your Lord is with you. The Prophet ﷺ said:

واعلَم أنَّ الأمَّةَ لو اجتَمعت علَى أن ينفَعوكَ بشَيءٍ لم يَنفعوكَ إلَّا بشيءٍ قد كتبَهُ اللَّهُ لَكَ ، وإن اجتَمَعوا على أن يضرُّوكَ بشَيءٍ لم يَضرُّوكَ إلَّا بشيءٍ قد كتبَهُ اللَّهُ عليكَ (صحيح الترمذي:2516)
Translation: And know that if the entire ummah were to gather to benefit you with something, they would not benefit you except with what Allah has written for you. And if they gather to harm you with something, they will not harm you except with what Allah has written for you.