By Haruna  Razaq

SABR (perseverance): A Muslim must learn to be steadfast and very resolute with Allah during this period of adversities. He/she must realize that every supernatural healing property other than the correct Islamic way is deceptive and usually bear a grave consequence either immediate or later in life. When struck by an affliction, a believer should exhibit patience and perseverance.

He should never rebel or express dissatisfaction with Allah’s decree. This is called – Sabr. Furthermore, a believer should trust that Allah who will reward him for his affliction.

This is called ihtisab. Abdullah bin Amr reported that Allah’s Messenger said: When Allah deprives one of His believing servants from a loved one, if he displays sabr and ihtisab, Allah will not approve for him a reward other than jannab. (An-Nisaai ) Sabr and ihtisab are two aspects of one obligation: full submission to Allah’s decree. They are important actions of the heart that should be displayed by believers during times of affliction.

SABR: When a person is struck by an affliction, he should display patience and acceptance of the calamity that struck him. Allah says;  Patience should be manifested from the beginning, and should not be marred or damaged by the magnitude of the loss. Anas reported that Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w) passed  by a woman crying next to a grave.

He told her: Have taqwa of Allah, and be patient. Not recognizing him, she responded, “Leave me alone, you have not been struck by an affliction like mine!” She was then told that he was Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w). Extremely distressed and agitated at her blunder, she hastened to him and said, “O Allah’s Messenger, I did not recognize you.”

The Messenger (s.a.w) replied; Indeed, patience should bedisplayed at the beginning of the affliction.  NOTE: None of you should die without having good expectations in Allah.

Duah (Supplication) A Muslim in distress must call Allah through the lawful means i.e that is prayer from the Quran or Sunnah in order to achieve perfect solution to his problem. Unfortunately evidences abound that testify to the fact that a lot of Muslims today approach Allah through un-Islamic way which we shall discuss.

To call Allah at the time of problem is the practice of prophet Muhammad and other prophets as contained in the Quran and Hadith.