Navigating Economic Hardship with Faith and Gratitude

Finding Peace and Prosperity in Challenging Times

NAVIGATING THROUGH DIFFICULT ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

1. CHOOSE GRATITUDE

Refocus your mindset from complaints about the rising cost of commodities to gratitude, recognizing that all attainments are granted by ALLAH’S permission Alone. Whether a commodity costs $1 or $100, attaining it can only occur with the permission of ALLĀH. The Prophet ﷺ will say after each prayer: “O ALLĀH, there is none who can withhold what YOU give, and none may give what YOU have withheld…” {Al-Bukhari 1/255}

It’s crucial to resist Shaytan’s influence, which can obscure our reasoning and lead us into a cycle of ingratitude through complaint. Embracing gratitude fosters contentment and invites further blessings into our lives as ALLĀH promised: “If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more.” {Ibrāhim: Verse 7}

2. MAKE THINGS EASY FOR THE PEOPLE

We all have a service or commodity we offer to the people, how much ease are we granting to the people? One of the means of attaining ease is being a source of ease for another. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever brings ease to the one who is in difficulty, Allāh will bring him ease in this world and the Hereafter.” {Muslim #2699}

He ﷺ also said, “May ALLĀH have mercy on a man who is lenient when selling, buying, and seeking repayment.”

{al-Bukha‌ri‌ #2076}

3.MAKE DU’A FOR THE LEADERS.

It’s a very common practice amongst the ignorant to curse the leaders. This is contrary to the practice of the true believers, wanting good for the rulers and supplicating to ALLĀH for them is an important feature of the true believer. It is reported that Al-Fudayl B. ʿAyyād (ALLĀH have mercy on him) said, “If I had one supplication that was going to be answered I would make it for the ruler, for the wellbeing and righteousness of the ruler means wellbeing for the land and its people.” {Siyar A’la‌m al-Nubala‌ 8/434}

4. RELY ON ALLĀH AND ASK FROM HIM ALONE.

Al-Hassan al-Basri (ALLĀH have mercy on him) said: “If people called on ALLĀH when put to trial because of their rulers, ALLĀH would relieve their suffering; but instead they resorted to the sword, so they were left to it. And not one day of good did they bring. Then he recited: _”And the good word of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel, for the patience and perseverance they had, and WE destroyed the works of Pharaoh and his people and what they had erected._” (7:137). {al-Tafsir #8897}

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (ALLĀH be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of ALLĀH (ﷺ) said, “Verily, after me there will be undue favouritism and matters you will reject.” They said, “O Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ, what do you order us to do if we reach that time?” The Prophet ﷺ said, “Fulfill the duties placed over you and ask ALLĀH for what belongs to you.” {Bukha‌ri‌ #3603 & Muslim #1843}

5. PRUDENT FINANCIAL PLANNING.

Practice responsible financial management by budgeting, saving, and avoiding unnecessary expenses. In describing the righteous believers, ALLĀH says in the Qur’an, “And ˹they are˺ those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, justly moderate.” {Furqan: Verse 67}

The Prophet ﷺ also said, “Eat, drink, give in charity, and wear nice clothing, but without pride and extravagance. Verily, ALLĀH loves for HIS blessings to be seen upon HIS servants.” {Musnad Ah‌mad #6656}

May ALLĀH rectify our affairs.