As world markets suffer from the ongoing global financial crisis and housing markets slump, as jobs are lost and unemployment rates rise high, as businesses close down and people don't have a source of income, you worry.
You worry about the growing global recession and its challenges. And you worry about your family, your kids, how to provide for them, how to put food on the table, how to pay the bills....
In times such as these, this is a reminder for my brothers and sisters, as the reminder always benefits the believers.
"But remind, the Reminder will benefit the believers." (Surah adh-Dhaariyaat: 55)
KEEP YOUR IMAAN STRONG
1. Remember....nothing happens except by the will and decree of Allaah:
Belief in al-qadar (the Divine decree) is one of the pillars of our Imaan, and no one’s faith is complete without it. So if you lost your job, it was by the Will and Decree of Allaah. Allaah says:
“No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (al-Lawh al-Mahfooz) before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allaah” (al-Hadeed:22)
Also the Prophet (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: "Know that what has passed you by was not going to befall you, and that what has befallen you was not going to pass you by. And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and ease with hardship." (Tirmidhi-Saheeh)
2. It is Allaah that provides for you and NOT your employer;
Remember that Allaah is al-Razzaaq (the Provider) and the Best of those who provide. It was Allaah who was providing you before you lost your job and it is still He that will provide you after you lost it. The one who fed you when you were in your mother's womb will also feed you when you are an adult. And it was not you who was putting food on the table for your family. Rather it was Allaah using you as a means to provide for them.
"Except for Allah, is there any other Creator who provides for you out of heaven and earth? There is no god except He. Where then do you turn?" (Surah Faatir:3)
3. Know that your provision was written for you before you were even born:
Allaah had sent an angel to write down your provision for you when you were just a few days old in your mother's womb, and you will get it, no matter what.
"(the angel) says, ‘O Lord, male or female? Doomed or blessed? What is his provision? What is his lifespan?’ And that is written in his mother’s womb.” (Bukhaari)
There is nothing that can take your provision away. And you will not die until you have had your full provision. The Prophet (sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) said:
“The Holy Spirit (Jibreel) has inspired to me that no soul will die until it has completed its appointed term and received its provision in full, so fear Allaah and do not be desperate in seeking provision, and no one of you should be tempted to seek provision by means of committing sin if it is slow in coming to him, for that which is with Allaah can only be attained by obeying Him.” (Saheeh al-Jaami’, 2085)
4. It is a test for you from Allaah:
Remember that disasters and calamities are a test of a believer’s patience. And so He will test you to see how strong you are and how you will react to His test. And know if Allaah loves a person, He tests him.
"We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, and decrease of goods, life and fruits. Give glad tidings to the patient." (al-Baqarah:155)
5. Surely, it is a means of expiation of your sins:
Calamities are a means of expiation of sin and raising one's status. The Prophet (sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) said:
“There is nothing that befalls a believer, not even a thorn that pricks him, but Allaah will record one good deed for him and will remove one bad deed from him.” (Muslim).
And he said: “Trials will continue to befall the believing man and woman, with regard to themselves, their children and their wealth, until they meet Allaah with no sin on them.” (Tirmidhi, saheeh by al-Albaani)
WHAT TO DO
1. Have tawakkul on Allaah
Always think to yourself...Allaah wouldn't decree something for me unless it was good for me. Have faith in Allaah's Words....
"But you may hate a thing although it is good for you, and may love a thing although it is evil for you. Allah knows, and you do not." (Baqarah:216)
The Prophet (sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa sallam) said: “If you put your trust in Allaah in the true sense, He will grant your provision as He grants to the birds, who go out in the morning hungry and come back full.” (Ahmad, Ibn Maajah and al-Tirmidhi).
2. Be patient
Remember that with every difficulty comes ease and with hardship comes relief.
“How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for all his affairs are good and this does not apply to anyone except the believer. If something good happens to him he is grateful, and that is good for him, and if something bad happens to him he is patient, and that is good for him.” (Muslim).
3. Review your life and make LOTS of Istighfaar
Look at your life. Is there something that you need to improve on? Is there something that you need to give up? Is there anything that may be a cause of Allaah's warning or punishment to you?
“And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned” [al-Shoora:30]
“A man may be deprived of provision by a sin that he commits.” (Ibn Maajah-saheeh by al-Albaani)
If there is such a thing, NOW is the time to fix yourself. Ask Allaah sincerely to forgive you and He will. There is no doubt in that.For He is al-Ghafoor, ar-Raheem.
‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord, verily, He is Oft-Forgiving. He will send rain to you in abundance, and give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.’”[Nooh 71:10-12]
4. Fear Allaah and obey Him as much as you can:
Obedience is the key to the Mercy of Allaah and fearing Him (taqwa) is a means to attain all success. Allaah says:
“And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allaah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allaah has set a measure for all things” [al-Talaaq:2-3]
5.Make dua and do lots of good deeds
Never forget that Dua is the weapon of the believer. Pray to Allaah with the attitude of certainty and He will surely respond. Do a lot of acts of worship, such as reading Qur’aan, fasting, giving charity, etc. This will get rid of your worry and anxiety, and give you happiness, peace of mind and success in this dunya as well as in the Hereafter.
“Whoever works righteousness — whether male or female — while he (or she) is a true believer; verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)” (al-Nahl:97)
Also, worship at times of hardship and tribulation has a special sweetness to it and a great reward.
The Prophet (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: “Worshipping at times of tribulation and confusion is like migrating to join me.” (Muslim)
6. Uphold ties of kinship
If there are any family members that you have cut off from or are not on speaking terms, etc., correct that and ask them for forgiveness, even if it was not your fault.
Why?
Because the Prophet (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever would like his provision to be increased and his life span to be extended, let him uphold the ties of kinship.”
7. Do your best to seek Halaal earnings.....
Work hard to find a means of living for your family, while relying on Allaah. That is a responsibility placed upon you by Him.
Imam Ahmad was asked about a man who sat in his house or in the masjid and said, “I will not do anything until my rizq comes to me.” He said, “This is a man who has no knowledge.
"Strive to do that which will benefit you and seek the help of Allaah, and do not feel helpless." (Muslim).
BUT, don't lose sight of the Aakhirah
However, do realize that this world is only temporary and the REAL life is that of the Hereafter. This world should not be the main concern of the Muslim, rather our focus should be on what we do for the Aakhirah.
The Prophet (sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever is mainly concerned about the Hereafter, Allaah will make him feel independent of others and will make him focused and content, and his worldly affairs will fall into place. But whoever is mainly concerned with this world, Allaah will make him feel in constant need of others and will make him distracted and unfocused, and he will get nothing of this world except what is decreed for him.” (Tirmidhi- saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’).
