DUA FOR EASE AND OVERCOMING DIFFICULTIES

Transliteration: Rabbi ishrah lee sadree Wayassir lee amree
Translation: “O my Lord! Open for me my chest (grant me self-confidence, contentment, and boldness); Ease my task for me;” (20:25-26)

There’s a verse from the Quran, “We have certainly created man into hardship. Does he think that never will anyone overcome him?” Surah Balad Ayat 4-5

Life is full of suffering, as the Buddhist would say. This is ancient wisdom which has been known and discussed for centuries in both religions.

Islam wants us to realize any hardship you’re experiencing is a test. In Surah Baqarah it reads, “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient” (2:155)

Truth be told, you should not wish away your hardship but shift your mindset and be grateful you have them. Now, before you try to reach your hand through the screen and try to slap me let me explain.

Let’s picture a parallel universe, you got your way in life in every manner, no stress, no anxiety, no let downs, everything is perfect… just the way you want. How fun would life really be? Imagine how hypersensitive you would become at the slightest loss or insult. So although, we may not enjoy the feeling and uneasiness of life we have to appreciate the opportunity for personal growth it brings.

A part of experiencing happiness is by knowing what sadness and loneliness feels like. Only through hardships can we truly be appreciative of moments of tranquility, that’s because we know how the other side of the coin reads.

The Quran mentions, “For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease” (94:5).

Finish the following, “Whatever doesn’t kill me makes me _________”. We all know the answer to this, but do we really understand it.

When we face adversity we rise to the occasion and we become stronger minded because of it. We often underestimate our abilities at adapting to the stressors of our environment and are more resilient then we give ourselves credit for.

“Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. It will have [the consequence of] what [good] it has gained, and it will bear [the consequence of] what [evil] it has earned. “Our Lord, do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us. Our Lord, and burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.” Surah Baqarah Ayah 286

Repeat this to yourself, Allah does not charge a soul except that which is within its capacity. Let’s reflect back on all the past adversity you were troubled by… yet here you are, still standing. We think the new thing will kill us and believe we won’t be able to overcome it but forget all we’ve accomplished thus far.

In Surah Baqarah it also says, “Our Lord, and lay not upon us a burden like that which You laid upon those before us” Sometimes it helps to realize the problems we are experiencing now are not new, billions of people have walked this earth before us and have experienced the exact same problems in life. Your Problems are not new problem! They have been handled and solved by millions of people before us, we just must be creative and find the solution or just go through the motions of solving them.

There’s another saying which I believe to be true, “We often suffer more in imagination then we do in reality”

Let’s just say the worse case scenario happens, what would that include (it helps to write it out). Now, for each point write out ways you can prevent it from occurring or repair it if it does. Ask yourself, what’s the one best thing you can do right now that would move you closer to getting to the solution.

Conclusion

Don’t forget Allah, recite the Dua given in the beginning of this post. If you’re looking to receive barakah recite “bismillah” before beginning every task.

Remember, each hardship is a test from Allah, and with every hardship there is ease. You should not be ungrateful for experiencing these moments. In every situation you can find the silver-lining if you look for it.

Remember, Allah has not burdened a soul with more than it can carry.

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قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن كُنتُ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّى وَرَزَقَنِى مِنْهُ رِزْقًا حَسَنًا ۚ وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُخَالِفَكُمْ إِلَىٰ مَآ أَنْهَىٰكُمْ عَنْهُ ۚ إِنْ أُرِيدُ إِلَّا ٱلْإِصْلَٰحَ مَا 

He said, “O my people, have you considered: if I am upon clear evidence from my Lord and He has provided me with a good provision from Him…? And I do not intend to differ from you in that which I have forbidden you; I only intend reform as much as I am able. And my success is not but through Allah. Upon him I have relied, and to Him I return. Surah Hud ayah 88