Introduction

If you could stop for a moment and think about your life, you would notice that all your memories, even though they might comprise those of several decades, would add up to only a few minutes of conversation. What you once considered important, or had greatly looked forward to, or sought to avoid, are all now part of the past. Whatever remains of these thoughts and feelings are just memories.

However, in the sight of God, each word you uttered, and every thought that crossed your mind, are known to Him. After death, which is destined to happen to every one of us, their records will be unfolded before us. Our life, which will then seem to have been only minutes, will be presented to us moment after moment, without even a single instant missing. In the sight of God, no detail of your life is forgotten.

If you have spent your life submitting to God's absolute sovereignty, in every aspect of your life, accepted the purpose of His creation, and, thereby, recognized the good in all things, and been aware of the ultimate perfection in every instant of the divine plan decreed by God, then you can be certain that the end-result for you will be good.

That is because, at death, man is faced with two choices; if one has lived by the values proclaimed by God, he will attain eternal salvation. Otherwise, he will suffer everlasting torment. The morality God demands be adopted by His servants is a feeling of gratitude towards Him, in every instance, no matter what the conditions and circumstances may be, and having faith that ultimately there is good in whatever befalls us, by being aware that everything is from God.

To become accepting of everything that befalls us, having faith that there is good in each and every case, however seemingly adverse, and being instead thankful for every instance, is by no means an unattainable ideal. Rather, it is a truth, recognizable through a grasp of God's greatness and exaltedness. One needs only to know his Lord, the Creator of this world and every circumstance in his life, and to be grateful towards Him for that very reason.

From the moment a person opens his eyes to the world, it is God Who ordains every event that takes place in his life. God is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise and the All-Just. All is created by God in compliance with a plan, and for a divine purpose just as He says in a verse of the Qur'an, "Indeed, all things We created with predestination." (Surat al-Qamar: 49) In light of God's infinite might and superiority, man is merely a feeble being. Without God's blessings he cannot survive. Through his ability to understand and reason, man can grasp realities only to the extent that his Creator allows him. This being the case, submission to God's infinite wisdom and the divine purpose He had ordained in all things, is a fundamental requirement upon each and every one of us. No matter what we may experience in life, we must remain aware that God is the Sovereign Lord of the entire universe, that He knows, sees and hears what we cannot, that He is knowledgeable even of that which might take place or occur of which we are unaware, and thus, we are to realize that it is God who causes every occurrence to happen, and according to a divine purpose: for our own good.

Putting faith in this truth should inspire us with a better outlook, by which we feel grateful for everything that befalls us. In other words, a person will try to recognize the "good" in everything he hears, in every sight he sees, in every incident he experiences, in brief, in every moment of his life, and thereby, achieve a proper understanding of the meaning of this life. Making the right choice between those offered to him, expressed in the Qur'an as, "We guided him on the Way, whether he is thankful or unthankful" (Surat al-Insan: 3), man will, by God's Will, attain the supreme end-result, that is, the eternal life in paradise.

The purpose of this book is to make light of the beauty of living with the recognition that there is good in every moment one experiences, and every incident one encounters, and to remind ourselves of the blessings such an outlook on life brings, both in this world and beyond. Likewise, by exposing that which hinders a person from seeing this good, this book may aid in saving one from succumbing to a way of thinking opposed to Islam. This book is intended to encourage man towards adopting the proper moral principles by which he will say, "There is good in this", not by mere words, but with his heart, and showing patience in the face of difficulties with heartfelt submission and gratitude, rather than merely enduring the situation. For, to remind each other of the perfection of the destiny ordained by God, it is to summon all believers to enjoy the pleasure of submitting to His infinite wisdom.

Seeing Good In All That Happens

O"Seeing the good in all things" is actually a fairly common phrase. In the course of their daily lives, people will frequently say, "There must be some good in this" or "It is a blessing from God."

However, people generally mouth these phrases without understanding their true significance, or merely to follow meaningless societal conventions. Most fail to recognise the ultimate meaning of these phrases, or how its understanding applies to our daily lives. Essentially, most are unaware that, more than just being words to utter, these phrases imply important insight into the inner-workings of every-day events.

The fact is, however, seeing the good in all events, whatever the circumstance, whether favourable or unfavourable, is an important moral quality resulting from sincere faith in God, and the approach to life that is brought about by such a faith. Ultimately, a grasp of this truth is important in guiding one to not only the blessings of this world, but in the hereafter, where one will find never-ending peace and bliss.

Not feeling disappointment for any thing that happens throughout the course of this life is a mark of a true understanding of the meaning of faith. Failure to see good in things that happen, being fraught with constant fear, anxiety, despair, sorrow, sentimentalism, on the other hand, indicate a lack of pure faith. This confusion must be removed promptly, and the joy emanating from unswerving faith must be accepted as a necessary part of life. A believer knows that events that might at first sight appear unfavourable, including those which he caused to happen by committing an error, will ultimately turn out beneficially for him. When he uses the words "adversity", "misfortune" or "if only...", it is only to draw a lesson from an experience. In other words, the faithful knows that there is good in whatever happens; he learns from his mistakes and seeks to correct them. However, if he were to fall into the same error again, he keeps in mind that it is all for a specific purpose, and simply resolves to "conduct himself more correctly the next time." Moreover, even if the same thing were to occur dozens of times over, a Muslim must keep in mind that ultimately it is for some good; such is the immutable law of God. This fact is also elaborately stated by the Prophet (saas) who said:

Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his, for this is not the case with others expect the believer. If he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (God), thus there is a good for him in it, and if he finds himself in difficulty and submits (and endures it patiently), there is a good for him in it. (Muslim)

Only in the recognition that God creates everything for a certain good and a specific purpose can one's heart find peace. To have a grasp of this fact is a great blessing for a believer. A person who is distant from Islam suffers from continuous torment; he lives in constant apprehension, turning out to be an ever-present source of anxiety. A believer, on the other hand, recognizes and reveres the fact that there is a divine purpose behind God's creation.

Hence, being indecisive; that is, suffering from the continuous apprehension of constantly expecting both good and evil, may become an embarrassment for a believer in the hereafter. Pleading ignorance of such a plain and obvious truth, because of carelessness or laziness, may only cause torment both in this world and beyond. We must keep in mind that destiny predetermined by God is entirely flawless. For a person willing to recognise the good in all things, he finds only blessings and a divine purpose, hidden within an entire complex of inter-connected events. Though he may have many other things to concern him throughout his day, a person of strong faith, who is guided by his wisdom and conscience, never allows himself to be tempted by Satan's wiles. No matter how, when, or where an event takes place, he never forgets that there is always some good behind it. Although he may not be able to recognise this good immediately, what really matters is for him to be aware that there is an ultimate purpose.

Due to their hasty nature, people are sometimes not patient enough to see the good in what befall them. As a consequence, they may become aggressive and obstinately pursue something even though it be entirely against their better interest. In the Qur'an this fact is revealed as:

Man prays for evil just as he prays for good. Man is prone to be impetuous. (Surat al-Isra': 11)

Nevertheless, a person must strive to see the good and divine purpose in every event brought before him by God, rather than insisting on being benefited by what to his mind is favourable, and being impatient to acquire them. For instance, though a person may strive to attain improved financial status, this change may never come about. A person who deems such a condition to be adverse would be incorrect. Of course, one may pray to God for wealth to be used for His cause. However, he must know that if this wish is not granted, it is for a reason. It might be that an increase in wealth acquired before the attainment of spiritual maturity would render such a person vulnerable to Satan's tricks. Many other similar reasons towards a divine purpose, many of which may not be immediately recognisable, or will become apparent only in the hereafter, may underlie certain events. A businessman, for instance, may miss a meeting he regarded as an important step in his career. But, if he had gone to the meeting, he might have been involved in a traffic accident on the way, or, if the meeting were in another city, his plane may have crashed.

No one is immune to such occurrences. It is not uncommon to eventually see the good in something that had at first seemed adverse. Nevertheless, one would need to keep in mind that he might not always be able to grasp the purpose of what had appeared to be an adverse situation. Because, as we have said earlier, we may not always have the benefit of witnessing its positive outcome. It may well be that God will only reveal its divine purpose in the Hereafter. For this reason, what must be done by a person who submits himself to his destiny, and puts his trust in God, is to accept every occurrence, no matter what, with a willingness to acknowledge that there must be some good in it and be pleased with it.

It must also be mentioned that "recognizing the good in all" is by no means ignoring the reality of these events, pretending that they hadn't happened, or being overly idealistic. On the contrary, a believer is held responsible for taking all appropriate actions and resorting to all methods necessary to resolve a problem. A believer's resignation must not be confused with the approach of others who, due to a flawed understanding of the matter, remain indifferent to whatever happens around them, and are unrealistically optimistic. Such people are usually described as "wearing rose-colored glasses." They fail to make rational decisions, or put them into action, since they are oblivious and childishly optimistic, instead of seeking solutions to problems. For instance, if such a person is diagnosed with a serious illness, his situation may, in time, deteriorate to the point of becoming fatal as he would neglect to receive due treatment. In another instance, a person who finds it unnecessary to secure his belongings, even though he had already once been burglarised, is liable to become again the victim of further similar incidents.

Undoubtedly, such approaches are far from the meaning of "putting one's trust in God" and "seeing good in all". Such attitudes are, essentially, careless. On the contrary, believers must do their utmost to address the situation practically. Basically, the manner in which they conduct themselves is a form of "worship". Because, when they are involved in such situations, their minds are occupied with remembrance of the fact that it is God Who carries an event to a conclusion.

In the Qur'an, God relates stories of the prophets and true believers as examples of those conscious of this fact, which believers must seek to emulate. The manner in which the Prophet Hud (as) responded to his people, revealing his complete submission to God, and his unwavering trust in Him, in spite of their vicious threats, is one such example.

They said, "Hud, you have not brought us any clear sign. We will not forsake our gods for what you say. We do not believe you. We only say that one of our gods has driven you mad." He said, "I call on God to be my witness, and you also bear witness, that I am free of all the gods you have apart from Him. So scheme against me, all of you together, and then grant me no respite. I have put my trust in God, my Lord and your Lord. There is no creature He does not hold by the forelock. My Lord is on a Straight Path. If you turn your backs, I have transmitted to you what I was sent to you with, and my Lord will replace you with another people, and you will not harm Him at all. My Lord is the Preserver of everything.' (Surah Hud: 53-57)

How The Ignorant Perceive Things That Happen

In general, people tend to divide events in terms of good and bad. Such a classification often depends on their habits or tendencies. Their reactions to events alternate depending on the severity and form which the event takes; yet, what they ultimately feel and experience is usually determined by societal conventions.

Almost everyone has remnants of his childhood dreams, even in his later life. Although, these plans may not always have developed in the way one expected or planned. We are all constantly prone to unexpected events in life. Such an event, in an instant, can throw our lives into complete disarray. While one is intent on his life progressing as normal, he may be confronted with a series of changes that might at first sight seem negative. An otherwise healthy person may suddenly succumb to a fatal disease, or lose some physical ability in accident. Again, a wealthy person may lose all his wealth instantly.

People's reactions to such a roller-coaster of experiences can vary greatly. Their reactions are good as long as events turn out favourably. Yet, when faced with the unexpected, they tend to feel disappointed, and even angry. Depending on the importance they attach to these events, and their ultimate outcomes, their anger may become quite severe. This tendency is common to societies mired in ignorance.

There are also those among them who, when something disappoints them, nevertheless say, "There must be a goodness in this." However, these are words which they mouth without understanding their true meaning, merely following societal conventions.

There is still another group of people, who are willing to consider what divine purpose there may be in trivial occurrences. But, when faced with more significant happenings, which may prove detrimental to them, all of a sudden, they forget any such intention. For instance, a person may not be distressed at the failure of his car engine on his way to work, and be willing to consider the possible good in it. Yet, if his being late for work infuriates his boss, or turns out to be a reason for his losing his job, then he finds reason to complain. He might behave the same way if it had been an item of jewellery instead of an inexpensive watch he had lost. As these examples indicate, there are certain minor events for which people may react reasonably, or in which they are willing to consider its good; but other more extraordinary instances can lead them to justify insolence and irascibility.

Some, on the other hand, merely seek to console with this notion, without actually having a grasp of the true significance of "seeking the good in everything". In this manner, they believe it to be a way of providing comfort to those who are in trouble, to a family member with a failing business, for instance, or a friend who has failed an exam. However, when it is their own interests that are at stake, they do not show the slightest indication of considering the "good" in it, making light of their ultimate ignorance.

The failure to see the good in what one experiences arises from the failings of one's faith. One's failure to grasp that it is God Who preordains each and every event in one's life, that everything occurs in accordance to a certain pre-planned destiny, and that the life of this world is but a trial, are what hinder him from recognizing any good in all that befalls him.

In the following section, we will explore this notion. That is, having faith that there is good in what ever befalls us, and those factors essential for being able to see it.

How To See The Good In Things That Happen

Being Aware that it is God Who Pre-Ordains Everything in its Every Detail...

Most people are pleased when things happen in compliance with their wishes, but are easily irritated when the slightest thing does not go their way. But, a believer must not be prone to such feelings. In the Qur'an, God reveals the good news that He has determined every single event for the benefit of His true servants, and that nothing should be a matter of grief or trouble for them.

A person who recognizes this truth deep within his heart is capable of being pleased with whatever he encounters, and to see the blessings behind what happens.

Many people do not even bother to think how they came into existence or why they exist. Although their conscience would guide them into realizing that the wonders of the world and its perfect order have a Creator, the inordinate love they feel for the life of this world, or their unwillingness to face the truth, leads them to deny the reality of His existence. They ignore the fact that every occurrence of their lives is determined according to a plan and purpose, but instead attribute them to false notions such as coincidence or luck. This is an outlook, however, that only hinders one from seeing the good in events and drawing lessons from them.

There are also those, who are aware of the existence of God, and comprehend that it is He Who has created the entire universe. They admit the fact that it is God Who makes the rain fall or sun to rise. They recognize that for there to be any other cause is impossible. Yet, when it comes to incidents in the course of their lives, the minor details that form part of the usual rush of the day, they cannot help thinking that they are somehow independent of God. Nevertheless, it is God Who destines a burglar to enter one's home at night, an obstacle that caused one to fall, a plot of arable land to yield crops or to become arid, a deal to be profitable, or a saucepan to be forgotten on the stove. Every occurrence falls within the infinite wisdom of God, and in compliance with a sublime plan. A drop of mud that stains our trousers, a puncture in the tire, acne appearing on one's face, a disease, or some other undesirable thing to occur, are all incorporated into a person's life in accordance to a specific plan.

Nothing a person experiences in this world, from the moment he opens his eyes, is independent and apart from God. All existence, as a whole, is created by God, the only One to hold control over the universe. God's creation is perfect, flawless and replete with purpose. This is part of the destiny created by God; one must not discriminate between the incidents by attributing good to one and evil to the other. What is incumbent on a person is to recognize and appreciate the perfection in all events, and to believe with all certainty that some good lies in it, remaining conscious of the fact that, within God's infinite wisdom, all is designed to lead ultimately to the most perfect results. Indeed, for those who believe and recognize the goodness in all that befalls them, both this world and the beyond are part of an eternal good.

In the Qur'an, God draws our attention to the aforementioned fact almost in every page. This is why failing to remember that everything is according to a certain destiny is a terrible failing for a believer. The destiny ordained by God is unique, and is experienced by a person in precisely the way God has predestined. The ordinary man perceives the belief in destiny as merely a way of "consoling in time of disaster". A believer, on the other hand, attains the correct understanding of his destiny, fully grasping that it is the sole perfect program exclusively designed for him.

Destiny is an entirely flawless agenda developed to prepare a person for Paradise. It is replete with blessings and for a divine purpose. Each difficulty a believer faces in this world, will be the source of infinite bliss, joy and peace in the next. The verse, "For truly with hardship comes ease" (Surat ash-Sharh: 5) draws our attention to this fact; within one's destiny, the patience and courage a believer exhibits are pre-ordained together with their respective rewards in the Hereafter.

It may happen during the course of the day, that a believer would become irritated or concerned about certain things that had happened. The primary reason of the irritation he feels is his failure to remember that that very event is part of his destiny, and that it has been especially created by God. Though, he will be comforted and calmed when he is reminded of the purpose of God's creation.

This is why a believer must learn to continually keep in mind that everything is predestined, as well as remind others of this fact. He must show patience in the face of those occurrences that God had predestined for him, in the infinite recesses of time, put his trust in Him, and strive to recognize the reasons behind them. He who attempts to understand these reasons will, by God's Will, be ultimately successful. Even though he might not always be able to detect their actual purposes, he must remain assured that, when something happens, it is certainly for some good and for a purpose.

Comprehending That Every Being, Living or Non-living, is Created in Compliance with a Certain Destiny...

Destiny is God's perfect knowledge of all events past or future, as if a single moment. This expresses the absolute sovereignty of God over all beings and events. People can be aware of a certain event when they experience it. But God knows all events prior to their occurrence. For God, past, present and future are all the same. They are all within the knowledge of God since He is the One Who creates them.

As the verse, "Indeed, all things We created with predestination." (Surat al-Qamar: 49) also suggests, every thing in the world is part of that destiny. The majority of people do not give a moment's consideration to the nature of destiny, and, thus, fail to recognize that it is God's infinite might that exists behind this flawless order. Some consider that destiny encompasses only human beings. However, everything in the universe, from the furniture in your home, to a pebble on the road, or a dried-up weed, a fruit or a jar on the super-market shelf, are all part of the destiny predetermined by God. The fate of every created thing has been determined within the infinite wisdom of God.

Every event a person sees, and every noise he hears, are in ever instance part of a life that has been created for him as a unit. Whether major or insignificant, no event in the universe happens by coincidence. No flower either blooms or fades by chance. No man comes into existence or dies out of pure coincidence. No man becomes sick by mistake, and neither does his sickness develop in an uncontrolled manner. In each case, these occurrences are especially predestined by God, from the very moment they were created. Anything that exists, within the depths of the earth or the oceans, or the fall of a single leaf, all occur in compliance with destiny, as the following verse indicates:

The keys of the Unseen are in His possession. No one knows them but Him. He knows everything in the land and sea. No leaf falls without His knowing it. There is no seed in the darkness of the earth, and nothing moist or dry which is not in a Clear Book. (Surat al-An'am: 59)

God's Messenger, the Prophet Muhammad (saas) also said that everyone's actions are ordained by God:

God, the Exalted, the Glorious, has ordained for every servant amongst His creation five things: his death, his action, his abode, the places of his moving about and his means of sustenance. (Tirmidhi)

However, people are generally not conscious of the reality that every moment of their lives is predestined by God. Some have never considered how they were created, or how the blessings they have been enjoying came into existence. Others, though, although they know that it is God Who creates life and death, believe it is the coincidences that are responsible for events of minor significance. However, in the Qur'an, God informs us that even the smallest detail is predetermined by His infinite wisdom, and in accordance with a divine purpose:

Nothing occurs, either in the earth or in yourselves, without its being in a Book before We make it happen. That is something easy for God. (Surat al-Hadid: 22)

It is crucial that man have a grasp of this reality. Because, the fate of every thing in this universe is known by God, the All-Knowing, the Wise. Consequently, every detail is perfectly planned, and for a purpose and "everything is by decree" as stated by the Prophet Muhammad (saas). A person who attains full consciousness of this fact will be benefited with being pleased with every moment of his life; good times and those that seem to be bad. The reason being that His truthful servants succeed in recognizing that it is God who created their destiny without a flaw. They will be aware that it is ignorant to regard something as misfortune when there must necessarily be a purpose for it in God's sight. Such a profound comprehension of this fact enables them to discern the blessings in things that happen.

To assume that what one goes through is not created by God, but believing that someone or something else was instrumental in its occurrence, is again an indication of the failure to grasp fate. Every thing that seems not go one's way is, in actuality, the "lesson of destiny". People must wholeheartedly set out to recognize the good and divine purpose of events. People tend to refer to events that turn out unfavourably as "misfortune". There is, however, a good and purpose in what may appear to be a "misfortune". It is only a "misfortune" because we choose to regard as such; in actuality, it is the best of all possible occurrences, because it is what has been predetermined.

If God had shown the good and purpose of the apparently adverse incidents, or of the difficulties that distress and irritate people, they would understand how senseless is their disappointment. Recognizing the blessing in things, a person of faith instead feels joy, not distress. This being the case, what is incumbent on a man is that he seeks to identify the good and benefits in destiny, that is, in events that are, in reality, part of the purpose of God's creation, and feel appreciative of the benefit of such insight.

Knowing That There May Be Bad in Events That Seem
To Be Good and Good in Events That Seem To Be Bad

In the above sections, we stressed that God, the All-Wise, creates each and every event in compliance with a special plan. At this point, another issue deserves a special mention; it is only God Who knows the events that are favourable and those that are not. That is because the wisdom of God is infinite, while the insight of human beings is limited. Humans can only see the outward appearance of events, and can rely solely on their limited perception to judge them. Their insufficient information or understanding may, in some cases, make them dislike a thing while it is good, and love a thing while it is evil. To be able to discern the good then, a person of faith, must put his trust in the infinite wisdom of God, and trust that there is a good in everything that happens. In fact, God has related to man the following:

It may be that you hate something when it is good for you and it may be that you love something when it is bad for you. God knows and you do not know. (Surat al-Baqara: 216)

Here, God informs us that an event one deems to be good may only cause him disappointment, both in this world and beyond. Similarly, something he ardently seeks to avoid, believing it to be detrimental to him, may be for him the cause of bliss and peace of heart. The intrinsic value of any event is a knowledge that resides only with God. Everything, whether apparently evil or good, takes place by God's Will. We experience only those things God wishes for us. God reminds us this fact as follows:

If God afflicts you with harm, no one can remove it except Him. If He desires good for you, no one can avert His favour. He bestows it on whichever of His slaves He wills. He is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surah Yunus: 107)

Consequently, whatever we experience in this life, whether or not it seems good or evil, is, in reality, good, since it is what our Lord predetermines for us. As mentioned earlier, the One who pre-ordains the outcome of events is not a human being, who is confined to time and space, but God, the One beyond space and time, Who created the human being, as well as time and space. (For further information please see Timelessness and the Reality of Fate by Harun Yahya)

For Believers, There Is Good In All Thıngs

Everyone experiences difficult times in his or her life. These difficulties frustrate, distress or irritate the majority of people who are far removed from the morality prescribed in the Qur'an. Therefore, they easily become anxious, tense and irritable. Not having faith in the perfection inherent in the destiny ordained by God, they do not seek the blessings, or the good in that which they experience. In fact, because they are without faith, every moment they spend only turns out to seem against them. In this manner, encumbered by trouble and distress, they proceed with the rest of their lives.

Believers, however, know that difficulties are brought about by God to test man. They are aware that these difficulties serve to distinguish the true believers from "those having a disease in their hearts", those who are not sincere in their beliefs. That is because, in the Qur'an, God makes it plain that He will test believers to reveal who it is that are truthful:

Or did you imagine that you were going to enter the Garden without God knowing those among you who had struggled and knowing the steadfast? (Surah Al 'Imran: 142)

God would not leave the believers in that [state] you are in [presently] until He separates the evil from the good... (Surah Al 'Imran: 179)

In further regard to this issue, God provides the following example, which took place during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (saas):

What assailed you on the day the two armies met was by God's permission, so that He would know the [true] believers, and so that He would know the hypocrites... (Surah Al 'Imran: 166-167)

The verse above is self-explanatory. In the time of the Prophet (saas), Muslims faced hardships, and suffered trying conditions. Yet, as the above verse also indicates, what the Muslims endured was by God's Will, and served to reveal those who were the hypocrites, who tried to cause harm to believers. That is, everything ultimately turned out in favour of the believers. Muslims, who aware of the lessons stated in these verses, consider an incident that seems to be evil, or a moment of difficulty, as an opportunity by which their sincerity, loyalty to their Lord, and faith, is put to the test. Never do they forget that difficulties or blessings are to test them. On the contrary, for their nobleness and submission to Him, God changes what seems evil to the advantage of His true servants. In the following pages, we will talk about difficulties believers are likely to encounter and of the trials peculiar to this world. Our purpose is to remind believers of the hidden blessings and rewards that being patient brings to them, both in this world and hereafter.

God Tests Man With Loss of Wealth

The goal of the majority of people in life is to accumulate as much wealth as possible. To this end, they resort to whatever means, even illegitimate or illicit. The value that humans attach to possessions is described in the Qur'an as "love" for "the embellishment of the life of this world."

To mankind the love of worldly appetites is painted in glowing colours: women and children, and heaped-up mounds of gold and silver, and horses with fine markings, and livestock and fertile farmland. All that is merely the enjoyment of the life of this world. The best homecoming is in the presence of God. (Surah Al 'Imran: 14)

Wealth and sons are the embellishment of the life of this world. But, in your Lord's sight, right actions which are lasting bring a better reward and are a better basis for hope. (Surat al-Kahf: 46)

In another verse, God addresses such people with the words; "And you have an insatiable love of wealth."(Surat al-Fajr: 20) As we are to understand from this verse, the ignorant crave wealth. Because, wealth is one of the primary measures of status in societies whose values are not based on religion. In these errant societies, people revere, honour and esteem the well-off. Attaining to such wealth makes its possessors wrongly suppose that they hold great power. Therefore, in these cases, the attainment of wealth becomes the main goal in life.

This excessive desire for wealth also leads to a life-time of fearing for its loss. Those who possess such an outlook usually despair when they lose their wealth, and then become rebellious towards their Lord. Being completely ignorant that is merely for a trial, they become completely overwhelmed by their loss of wealth.

However, God commands man "not to grieve about the things that pass him by or exult about the things that come to him" (Surat al-Hadid: 23). He commands man to conduct himself moderately and to adopt good morals. Despairing over the loss of wealth, but exulting in times of affluence, is a mark of ingratitude towards God.

Under the influence of such a base outlook, the members of ignorant societies consider it perfectly acceptable to feel disappointment over the loss of their property. For instance, the economic security enjoyed from wealth acquired after much effort may vanish instantly through a natural disaster. Or, a fire may, in just moments, reduce to ruin a beautiful house having been purchased after years of savings. Essentially, a person unconscious of the nature of this life feels confused when he experiences such a loss; becoming overwrought with pessimism and rebelliousness.

Those far removed from the morality of the Qur'an fail ever to recognize that a loss of wealth could be for a good or beneficial aspect. Indeed, due to their outlook and failure to put their trust in God, upheavals they experience in their economic situation become emotionally burdensome.

However, this is not the case for those who seek to consider the good in things. For them, the loss of wealth is for a purpose, even if they are not able to immediately discern it. It may be that it is as a reminder from God to His servants who have exulted in their wealth, and were overcome by the temporary worldly pleasures. Any decrease only serves the purpose of reminding us of the infinite might of God, and urges us to turn all our attention to Him. Or, it may be that God has something better in store for His servants who have shown patience through dire straits, and put their trust in Him. Instead of the temporary enjoyments of the life of this world, He grants the numberless and eternal blessings of paradise; clearly, the infinite blessings of paradise are incomparably more advantageous than worldly blessings.

However, these changes in livelihood may also serve a more immediate purpose. For instance, there may be some good in being involved in an accident with one's new car, for it may have been that God was protecting the driver from a more serious accident that would have caused him more harm. A conscientious person recognizes this accident as a reminder, and a warning, and asks for forgiveness and accepts the destiny predestined for him by God.

"It May Be That You Love Something When It Is Bad For You ..."

As we said earlier, God informs us in Surat al-Baqara, verse 216, that certain circumstances which may appear to us to be evil may turn out to be good. Similarly, as the same verse indicates, God also states that that which people love may be evil for them. In the Qur'an, God gives the example of wealthy disbelievers who are reluctant to spend of their wealth. The disbelievers' consideration that their thriftiness is "clever", and their supposition that hoarding the wealth they are unwilling to spend for the cause of God is to be of some benefit for them, is purely ignorant. In the Qur'an, God informs us that such wealth is evil and will only bring torment in hell:

Those who are tight-fisted with the bounty God has given them should not suppose that that is better for them. No indeed, it is worse for them! What they were tight-fisted with will be hung around their necks on the Day of Rising. God is the inheritor of the heavens and the earth and God is aware of what you do. (Surah Al 'Imran: 180)

In Surat al-Qasas, God relates the story of Qarun. God bestowed great fortune upon Qarun but he became vain due to extent of his wealth, and grew insolent towards his Lord. The case of Qarun, who was destroyed because he remained inattentive to the warnings, is a lesson for people. Qarun's story is related in the Qur'an as follows:

Qarun was one of the people of Musa but he lorded it over them. We gave him treasures, the keys alone to which were a heavy weight for a party of strong men. When his people said to him, "Do not gloat. God does not love people who gloat. Seek the abode of the hereafter with what God has given you, without forgetting your portion of the world. And do good as God has been good to you. And do not seek to cause corruption in the earth. God does not love corrupters" he said, "I have only been given it because of knowledge I have." Did he not know that before him God had destroyed generations with far greater strength than his and far more possessions? The evildoers will not be questioned about their sins. (Surat al-Qasas: 76-78)

As the above-quoted verses suggest, Qarun believed that his treasures would bring him good. Thus, he exulted and grew arrogant. But, ultimately, he only suffered great disappointment.

How believers regard their wealth, on the other hand, differs considerably from his flawed understanding. For a believer, who adheres to the Qur'an, possessions are of no great significance. A believer conducts himself nobly; he never allows himself to make it his goal or ambition to possess more, for it is a base pursuit founded in ignorance. A believer devotes all his life only to earning God's consent. Therefore, he spends all of his wealth for the cause of God, and never allows himself to be seized by the selfish desires of his lower-self; he aspires to the eternal rewards of the Hereafter, not the worldly benefits of this world. God renders believers with this mindset superior in His sight, and promises them paradise: :

God has bought from the believers their selves and their wealth in return for the Garden. They fight in the Way of God and they kill and are killed. It is a promise binding on Him in the Torah, the Injil and the Qur'an and who is truer to his contract than God? Rejoice then in the bargain you have made. That is the great victory. (Surat at-Tawba: 111)

Aware of this fact, prophets, messengers and true believers, considered what they possessed as a blessing from their Lord, while knowing deep in their hearts that all they possessed belonged ultimately to God. Thus, they spent their wealth and possessions for the cause of God. This superior morality and compassion among the believers is described in the verse as follows:

[Those with true devoutness are those who] despite their love for it, give away their wealth to their relatives and to orphans and the very poor, and to travellers and beggars ... (Surat al-Baqara: 177)

Furthermore, believers do not spend for ostentation. Their sincere intention in spending their wealth is related as follows:

...those who spend their wealth, desiring the pleasure of God and firmness for themselves ... (Surat al-Baqara: 265)

Consequently, when they lose some of their possessions, they react very differently than do the ignorant. Essentially, they know that it is all a trial from God. They show patience and seek what good there may be in the loss. The noble outlook of the believers is related in the following verse:

Say, "O God! Master of the Kingdom! You give sovereignty to whoever You will You take sovereignty from whoever You will. You exalt whoever You will You abase whoever You will. All good is in Your hands. You have power over all things." (Surah Al 'Imran: 26)

Consequently, believers know very well that the wealth possessed by the disbelievers in this world will only bring them torment rather than good. This is the promise of God:

Do not let their wealth and children impress you. God merely wants to punish them by them during their life in this world and for them to expire while they are disbelievers. (Surat at-Tawba: 55)

Divine Wisdom Behind Diseases

People who live in the societies of ignorance continually make plans for the future and hope these plans proceed as they desire. This being the case, an unexpected disease or some accident throws their life into complete disarray, since such incidents were not incorporated into their future plans. While they are enjoying good health, many of them never think that such incidents-even though it happens to thousands of others every day-could happen to them.

That is why, when confronted with such unexpected incidents, the ignorant people immediately become insolent towards their Creator. They contradict the fact of destiny and say, "Why has this happened to me?" for people who are far from possessing the morality commanded in the Qur'an, tend not to put their trust in God at times of sickness or accident, or to seek the good in what befalls them.

Such people, who do not grasp the reality of destiny, assume that it is merely the viruses or microbes that cause a sickness. Similarly, when they are involved in a traffic accident, they assume it is the driver of the other car that caused the accident. However, the truth is otherwise. Each disease-producing agent, such as a microbe or bacteria, or anything that causes harm to man, are, in actuality, creatures created by God as a cause. None of them are "haphazard" causes; they all act under the control of God. Man is vulnerable to microbes because God wills it so. If a man becomes seriously ill due to a virus, it happens because this is within the knowledge of God. If a car hits a person, leaving him disabled, this is also an event that has come into being by God's Will. No matter how one strives to avoid them, he can never alter the course of these happenings; not even a single one of them. He cannot remove a single moment from his destiny, because, fate is created as a whole. For a person who submits himself to the All-Mighty God, and who trusts in His infinite wisdom and mercy, an accident, disease or another adversity, is a temporary trial that leads to ultimate bliss.

It is the good moral qualities that a person adheres to in such circumstances that is important. Diseases and accidents are the incidents in the face of which believers have the opportunity to show forth their patience and good morals, and through which they can draw nearer to God. In the Qur'an, God discusses diseases while relating the importance of patience through such times:

... Those with true righteousness are those who believe in God and the Last Day, the angels, the Book and the prophets, and who, despite their love for it, give away their wealth to their relatives and to orphans and the very poor, and to travellers and beggars and to set slaves free, and who attend to their prayers and give alms; those who honour their contracts when they make them, and are steadfast in poverty and illness and in battle. Those are the people who are true believers. Those are the people who go in fear of God. (Surat al-Baqara: 177)

As we said earlier, the fact that in this verse diseases are also counted among adversities is due some consideration. A person confronted with a physical dilemma must keep in mind that it is a trial for him, and that it is only God Who brings about diseases and their cures. This is the reasoning necessary for maintaining a proper moral attitude. A person benefits from thinking about the good and divine purpose in the disease he suffers, or an accident he might be involved in, even though he may not be able to grasp them immediately. It may be that he must go through a temporary difficulty, but that, in the hereafter, as a servant who has wholeheartedly submitted himself to his Lord, he will be rewarded with infinite bliss.

We all need to keep in mind, however, that it is essential to recognize this fact deep in our hearts and to maintain high morals immediately after being confronted with a similar incident. For this end, we need to know that all diseases are created for a purpose. If God were to will it, a person would never become sick or feel pain. But, if a person is afflicted with such a trial, then he must be aware that it is for a purpose, helping him to grasp the transience of this world and the infinite might of God.

Diseases remind man that he is weak and in need of God

In times of sickness, the body, which had until then been robust, is defeated by viruses and bacteria. As is well known, many diseases cause pain and leave the body weak. In some cases, a person may even feel too weak to get out of bed or engage himself in his everyday tasks. Such a person, because he is unable to combat a virus that is invisible, gains a much better understanding of his weakness and how he is in need of God. Now, in declining health, a person, who otherwise dares to show arrogance towards his Creator, or boasts of his wealth and possessions, becomes conscious of this fact. He can better appreciate the infinite might of God, the Creator of all things.

Diseases make one better understand that health is a blessing and favour of God

Another issue we usually fail to consider through the daily rush of our lives is how great a blessing it is to be healthy. A person who has not been sick for long, and thus, has not suffered any pain, easily adjusts to the situation. Yet, when faced with a sudden onset of sickness, he recognises that health is a favour from God. That is because, being deprived of something or losing it makes one better appreciate its value. As Said Nursi, also known as Bediuzzaman (the Wonder of the Age), puts it: "The people of reality even say that 'Things are known through their opposites.' For example, if there was no darkness, light would not be known and would contain no pleasure. If there was no cold, heat could not be comprehended. If there was no hunger, food would afford no pleasure. If there was no thirst of the stomach, there would be no pleasure in drinking water. If there was no sickness, no pleasure would be had from good health."(The Twenty-Fifth Flash, Seventh Remedy)

A serious disease makes one consider seriously the transience of this world, death and the hereafter

Most people would consider being seized by a fatal disease or the loss of an organ as an adversity. Yet, this may be regarded not as an adversity but as a means for salvation in the hereafter or for turning towards God alone. Because, a person afflicted with a serious disease naturally becomes more alert. His suffering helps him to recognize the lack of attention that disabled his conscience, and urges him to contemplate the reality of the hereafter. Such a person truly grasps the meaninglessness of attachment to this world and the nearness of death. Instead of living his life irresponsibly, the sudden onslaught of disease may make him grasp the importance of earning God's consent and of the life of the hereafter, and thereby attain salvation.

Diseases add to one's prayers and draw him nearer to God

As the symptoms of a disease become more severe, a person begins to think of death, a thought he had until then deliberately avoided. With all his sincerity, he asks God for a recovery. Even a person who has never prayed before may suddenly feel the need to implore God once afflicted by an incurable disease. He offers the most sincere prayers to his Lord; this may be a reason to draw him nearer to God. If he does not show ingratitude after his recovery but continues to pray sincerely, his disease becomes a good and the beginning of a life of faith.

God mentions the people who turn to Him in times of such adversity as follows:

When We grant blessing to a man, he turns away and draws aside but when any evil touches him, he is full of endless prayers! (Surah Fussilat: 51)

When harm touches man, he calls on Us, lying on his side or sitting down or standing up. Then when We remove the harm from him he carries on as if he had never called on Us when the harm first touched him. In that way We make what they have done appear good to the profligate. (Surah Yunus: 12)

When harm touches people they call on their Lord, turning in repentence to Him. But then, when He gives them a taste of mercy from Him, a group of them immediately associate others with their Lord. (Surat ar-Rum: 33)

As the foregoing verses suggest, man must not only pray at times of difficulty; a person must also take refuge in God after he has been relieved. It may then be that that very disease or trial allows the person to acknowledge his weakness before God and repent, and thereby, lead to life-time submission in God.

In return for the patience shown in disease, Godmay reward the sufferer with an eternal life in paradise

As we said earlier, another purpose of suffering from a disease is testing the patience and trust of a person in God. When afflicted by a disease, Muslims are clearly distinguished from the people of ignorance with the patience and trust they put in God and their loyalty to Him. That is because, aware that the proper outlook they uphold during difficult times is deserving of God's consent, it is the great rewards of the hereafter they hope to earn. A person who failed to submit himself to God prior to his disease may acquire these noble qualities during the course of his suffering, and may attain the infinite blessings of the life of paradise in return of the temporary troubles in this world.

The Prophet Ibrahim's sincere prayer when faced with illness is a good example for all believers:

And when I am ill, it is He who heals me. He who will cause my death, then give me life. (Surat ash-Shu'ara': 80-81)

The attitude and superior morality assumed by the Prophet Ayyub (as) is another good example for believers. As the Qur'an informs us, Ayyub (as) suffered from a serious illness; but his disease enhanced his loyalty and trust in God, a trait that made him one of the prophets praised in the Qur'an.

From the Qur'an, we also know that, in addition to the disease he suffered, Ayyub (as) was also exposed to the wicked afflictions of Satan. Thinking to seize on this moment of weakness, Satan tried to deter him from putting his trust in God. Because in such times it is difficult for a sick person to focus his attention, he may become vulnerable to the temptations of Satan; but, being a prophet wholeheartedly devoted to God, Ayyub (as) escaped Satan's trap. He prayed sincerely to God, asked help from Him. In the Qur'an, the exemplary prayer of Ayyub (as) is quoted as follows:

And Ayyub when he called out to his Lord, "Great harm has afflicted me and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful,' We responded to him and removed from him the harm which was afflicting him... (Surat l-Anbiya': 83-84)

In response to his sincere prayer, God said the following to the Prophet Ayyub: Remember Our slave Ayyub when he called on his Lord: "Satan has afflicted me with exhaustion and suffering." [So he was told], "Stamp your foot! Here is a cool bath and water to drink." We gave him back his family and the same again with them as a mercy from Us and a reminder for people of intellect. "Take a bundle of rushes in your hand and strike with that but do not break your oath." We found him steadfast. What an excellent slave! He truly turned to his Lord. (Surah Sad: 41-44)

The Prophet Ayyub truly received the rewards of the trust he put in God, his devoutness to Him and his superior qualities. He also became a good example for all Muslims to follow.

The Mistakes of Believers Also Turn out in Their Favour

One of the matters the people of societies founded on ignorance most dread is making a mistake. When a person makes a mistake he is usually humiliated and becomes an object of mockery. Or, a mistake may cause him to miss certain opportunities he may deem important.

From the point of the Qur'an, however, such situations must be regarded totally otherwise. A believer does not base his judgments about people on the mistakes they make; aware of the fact that human beings are fallible, he rather feels compassion and mercy for them.

When a believer himself makes a mistake, he thinks conscientiously about it and examines his faults; his fear of God and conscience alert him immediately. He strives to correct his mistakes. He prays to God, the Merciful, and asks for repentance.

In fact, the regret a believer feels after making a mistake, only turns out to be a good for him in the end. That is because his is not the type of a self-pitying regret felt by unbelievers but a resolution not to repeat the same mistake again. The submission evinced by a believer, his trust in God, and acting with the consciousness that all events are part of his destiny, are all important factors for the thought of the believer. They draw him nearer to his Lord.

"Every Self Will Taste Death..."

According to the ignorant, the worst thing that can happen to a person is death. That which is most feared among them is nearing death or losing a loved one. Even the mere mention of death is a topic to be avoided. Although an ignorant person may recognize the good in certain occurrences, for him, death can never be a good thing.

The outlook of disbelieving societies on death is consistently the same; they are never able to look at it differently. Death is complete annihilation, while the hereafter is a matter of mere speculation.

For people far from the truth of the religion, the life of this world is the only life. With death, this single chance is expired. This being the case, they grieve over the loss of a loved-one. Still worse, a sudden death of a loved-one at an early age is cause for the ignorant to become angered at God and fate.

However, these people forget some important facts: First of all, no one on earth comes into existence of his own will. Everyone's life belongs to God; everyone is born at a time predetermined by God and according to His Will. This being the case, God, to whom belongs everything in the heavens, earth and all between them, can take back the soul of whom He wills, at any time He wills. No one can put off his appointed time. This is stated in the Qur'an as follows:

No self can die except with God's permission, at a predetermined time. If anyone desires the reward of this world, We will give him some of it. If anyone desires the reward of the hereafter, We will give him some of it. We will recompense the thankful. (Surah Al 'Imran: 145)

No matter what measures one adopts or how secure the place he may choose, he cannot avoid death. As stated in one of the sayings of the Prophet (saas), "When God decrees that a person is to die in a certain land, He creates a need for him to go there." (Tirmidhi) A person may depart this world at any time. Similarly, no matter how one strives not to lose a loved-one-even if he puts all the resources available on earth to the purpose-he cannot prevent death. That man may face death wherever he may be is related in the following verse as follows:

Wherever you are, death will catch up with you, even if you are in impregnable fortresses. (Surat an-Nisa': 78)

Therefore, the solution is not to try and avoiding from death, but in being prepared for the life of the Hereafter.

Death Is A Beginning, Not An End

People of poor faith, or those having no faith at all in the Hereafter, have a distorted perception of death and the life that comes after it. That is why, as we said earlier, they consider death a calamity rather than as a blessing. They believe that when they lose someone to death they lose them for ever; therefore, according to them, in the ground he is reduced to nothingness.

The fact is, however, that death is not eternal extinguishment; on the contrary, it is a transition to the life of the hereafter, our resting place. It is a moment we are all drawing near to, to the day we will have to give account of all that we engaged in the life of this world, that is, the Day of Judgment. Every human being, without exception, will meet the moment of death and pass to his eternal resting place. This may happen at an early age as well as later in life. Ultimately then, everyone will one day depart from this world; every day brings that predetermined date nearer. As such, to strive to escape death, or avoiding the very thought of it, or considering it as a calamity, is completely irrational.

Some among those who have faith in the truth of the hereafter, on the other hand, still find it entirely acceptable to grieve over someone's death. But God is the All-Just. That person who dies will give an account of his deeds in this world and, based on His judgment, be rewarded or punished. For this reason, for everyone who has faith in God and the existence of the hereafter, and thus lived a life devoted to his Lord, death is a gate through which to pass to blissful eternity. But, from the point of view of the ignorant, who deny the hereafter and disregard the Day of Judgment, death is a gate to eternal torment. For this reason, to them, it is difficult to regard death as a good. For Muslims, however, it is the beginning of total salvation.

The believer's reaction to the death of another believer differs clearly from that of the type of morality or attitude of the ignorant. Because, death, perceived to be the worst thing that could happen to anyone, is, in truth, a good for believers. The attitude of the believers' towards death is clearly described in the following verse:

If you are killed in the Way of God or if you die, forgiveness and mercy from God are better than anything you can acquire. (Surah Al 'Imran: 157)

As it is with their lives, the death of the believers also brings good. In the sight of God, special degrees await those believers who meet death while striving for His cause, for martyrdom is an honour and blessing that greatly increases a believer's reward in the Hereafter. The death of a believer, who makes his sole aim to attain the hereafter, and thus lives to earn God's consent, is, thus, a glorious event. Aware of these glad tidings given in the Qur'an, believers never grieve over the death of another believer who loses his life in God's way. On the contrary, seeing the good and blessings of his death, they are joyful. Truly, the greatest reward is in gaining the pleasure of God and His paradise.

A believer who had led a long life spent in the service of God is prized in God's sight. The Prophet Nuh (as), who was granted long life by God, is such an example. Because this noble man struggled every minute of his life to attain the pleasure of God, His mercy and His Paradise, his efforts improved his reward in the Hereafter.

On the contrary, there is a delusion here into which disbelieving societies tend to fall; they consider a long life a gift. The verse below exposes this falsehood:

Those who disbelieve should not imagine that the extra time We grant to them is good for them. We only allow them more time so they will increase in evildoing. They will have a humiliating punishment. (Surah Al 'Imran: 178)

Those who belong to the societies of the ignorant, who make the pursuit of the temporary pleasures of this world the sole pursuit of their lives, consider a long life as further opportunity to enjoy these worldly goods. Thus, these, who forget God and the Day of Judgement, fail to grasp the value of the time they recklessly waste. However, as mentioned in the verse above, this time granted to them, in actuality, works against them.

A person who contemplates these issues may attain a deeper understanding of how we are to determine what is "good" and what is "bad", according to the statement of God that "it may be that one hates something when it is good for him and it may be that one loves something when it is bad for him."