✍ Written by: Maqbool Ahmad Salafi – Jeddah Da'wah Center, Hayy as-Salamah, Saudi Arabia
This world is a place of trials; a believer must navigate through continuous tests. The Prophet ﷺ said:
الدُّنْيَا سِجْنُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَجَنَّةُ الْكَافِرِ
"The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever."
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2956]
When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared the world as a prison for the believer, it implies that a believer will face difficulties. During such times, he must cling to patience (ṣabr). Trials may come in the form of wealth, children, or health—manifesting as poverty, fear, sickness, restlessness, or failure.
Yet, the believer:
✔ Does not panic
✔ Does not complain
✔ Remains steadfast like a mountain
This article presents real-life stories of remarkable individuals who endured tribulations with patience. These accounts aim to inspire and strengthen those currently in distress.
Before we explore those stories, let us establish a core belief:
Tribulations are part of divine decree, and believing in both good and bad fate is an essential article of Islamic faith.
وَمَن يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُصِبْ مِنْهُ
"If Allah intends good for someone, He afflicts him with trials."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 564]
Hence, facing a trial is not a sign of being evil, but rather a means of spiritual elevation. It is not befitting for a Muslim to mock, judge, or expose another during their hardship. Instead, we must remain patient, avoid complaints, and uphold dignity.
When afflicted, a believer should immediately say:
"إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ"
“Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return.”
One must invoke Allah using sincere duʿā and mention good deeds as a means of seeking help, just as we recite in Surah al-Fātiḥah: “You alone we worship and from You alone we seek help.”
The Prophet ﷺ narrated the story of three men from a previous nation who sought shelter in a cave. A boulder blocked the entrance, and they were trapped. They agreed:
"Nothing will save you except if you supplicate to Allah with your righteous deeds."
Each man recalled a sincere deed:
① One man had elderly parents. He always served them milk before anyone else. One night, he returned late. His parents had already fallen asleep. He stood holding the milk all night until they woke up. He offered the milk before anyone else. He said, “O Allah, if I did this for Your sake, relieve us.”
The boulder moved slightly.
② Another man loved his cousin and wanted to seduce her. She refused. In a time of famine, she came to him for financial help. He agreed to help her on the condition of committing an immoral act. As they were about to engage in sin, she reminded him to fear Allah. He immediately withdrew and let her keep the money.
He said, “O Allah, if I did this seeking Your pleasure, then relieve us.”
The boulder moved more, but not enough.
③ The third man had hired laborers. One worker left without taking his wage. The man invested that money until it grew into livestock and property. Years later, the man returned to claim his wage. The employer told him, “All this is yours.” The laborer took everything and left.
He said, “O Allah, if I did this for Your sake, relieve us.”
The boulder moved completely, and they exited safely.
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2272]
Lesson:
Only Allah saves during tribulations.
Call upon Him with sincerity and good deeds.
Another response to trials is patience, without panic or complaint. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ
“O you who believe! Seek help through patience and prayer.”
[Al-Baqarah: 153]
Prophet Ayyub عليه السلام was afflicted with disease for eighteen years. His relatives abandoned him, except for two brothers. One day, one brother remarked: “Surely, Ayyub must have committed a sin like no other, or else Allah would have shown mercy.”
When Ayyub عليه السلام heard this, he said:
“I never let two men argue invoking Allah’s name except that I paid their expiation fearing they invoked Allah unjustly.”
Allah then revealed:
"اضْرِبْ بِرِجْلِكَ ۖ هَٰذَا مُغْتَسَلٌ بَارِدٌ وَشَرَابٌ"
“Strike with your foot. Here is a cool spring for bathing and drinking.”
[Ṣād: 42]
His health was restored. His wife could not recognize him due to his beauty. Allah also showered gold and silver from the sky.
[Silsilat al-Aḥādīth al-Ṣaḥīḥah: 3872]
إِنَّا وَجَدْنَاهُ صَابِرًا
“Indeed, We found him to be patient.”
[Ṣād: 44]
Again, Allah commands:
وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ
“Seek help through patience and prayer.”
[Al-Baqarah: 153]
كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِذَا حَزَبَهُ أَمْرٌ صَلَّى
“Whenever the Prophet ﷺ was faced with a distressing matter, he would turn to prayer.”
[Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 1319]
When Prophet Ibrāhīm عليه السلام migrated with his wife Sārah, they entered a land ruled by a tyrant king. The king wanted Sārah for himself. Ibrāhīm said, “She is my sister (in faith).”
Sārah made wuḍūʾ and prayed, saying:
“O Allah, if I believe in You and Your Prophet and have remained chaste, do not allow this disbeliever to overpower me.”
Each time the king approached her, he was paralyzed. After three failed attempts, he said:
“You have brought a devil! Take her back, and I gift you a servant (Hājar).”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2217]
Trials come from Allah. Only He can remove them. Thus, full trust and reliance (tawakkul) must be placed in Him.
وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا
“Whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out.”
[Al-Ṭalāq: 2]
When Maryam became pregnant by Allah’s command, she isolated herself. During childbirth, Allah sent a stream and date palm tree to sustain her.
"هُزِّي إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ تُسَاقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُطَبًا جَنِيًّا"
“Shake the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop fresh dates for you.”
When she returned with her child, Allah enabled baby ʿĪsā to speak, defending her chastity.
Since sins cause tribulations, repentance (tawbah) removes them.
وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَأَنتَ فِيهِمْ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ مُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ
“Allah would not punish them while you are among them, nor while they seek forgiveness.”
[Al-Anfāl: 33]
Even Abū Jahl, when he challenged the Qur'an, was not punished because people still made istighfār.
Always seek forgiveness to stay safe from divine punishment.
Reciting morning/evening adhkār, before/after meals, entering/exiting homes, and sleeping provides protection.
The Prophet ﷺ instructed us to:
If one adheres to these eight moments of remembrance daily, he will:
✔ Remain protected from jinn, siḥr (magic), and all calamities
✔ Avoid needing to visit any ruqyah practitioner
❖ Morning and Evening
❖ After Five Prayers
❖ Before Sleeping
Islam encourages using lawful worldly means alongside duʿā.
وَأَنْ لَيْسَ لِلْإِنسَانِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَىٰ
“Man will have nothing except what he strives for.”
[Al-Najm: 39]
The Prophet ﷺ, during the Battle of Badr, made duʿā and took action—preparing the army, organizing strategies, and seeking divine help.
Likewise, we must strive for lawful solutions:
✔ Seek medical help when sick
✔ Look for halal income
✔ Seek righteous spouses
✔ And solve our problems within Sharīʿah boundaries
Without īmān (faith) and ʿamal ṣāliḥ (righteous deeds), there is no true success or peace.
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ...
“Whoever does righteous deeds—male or female—while being a believer, We will surely grant them a good life and reward them...”
[Al-Naḥl: 97]
We pray that Allah grants us sincerity in action, the strength to bear trials with patience, and success in the tests of life.
Āmīn.
❖ Life is a Test
This world is a place of trials; a believer must navigate through continuous tests. The Prophet ﷺ said:
الدُّنْيَا سِجْنُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَجَنَّةُ الْكَافِرِ
"The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever."
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2956]When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared the world as a prison for the believer, it implies that a believer will face difficulties. During such times, he must cling to patience (ṣabr). Trials may come in the form of wealth, children, or health—manifesting as poverty, fear, sickness, restlessness, or failure.
Yet, the believer:
✔ Does not panic
✔ Does not complain
✔ Remains steadfast like a mountain
❖ Real-Life Stories of Endurance
This article presents real-life stories of remarkable individuals who endured tribulations with patience. These accounts aim to inspire and strengthen those currently in distress.
Before we explore those stories, let us establish a core belief:
Tribulations are part of divine decree, and believing in both good and bad fate is an essential article of Islamic faith.
وَمَن يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُصِبْ مِنْهُ
"If Allah intends good for someone, He afflicts him with trials."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 564]Hence, facing a trial is not a sign of being evil, but rather a means of spiritual elevation. It is not befitting for a Muslim to mock, judge, or expose another during their hardship. Instead, we must remain patient, avoid complaints, and uphold dignity.
✦ 1. Seeking Relief Through Duʿā (Supplication)
When afflicted, a believer should immediately say:
"إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ"
“Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return.”
One must invoke Allah using sincere duʿā and mention good deeds as a means of seeking help, just as we recite in Surah al-Fātiḥah: “You alone we worship and from You alone we seek help.”
❖ A Real Story: The Three Men in the Cave
The Prophet ﷺ narrated the story of three men from a previous nation who sought shelter in a cave. A boulder blocked the entrance, and they were trapped. They agreed:
"Nothing will save you except if you supplicate to Allah with your righteous deeds."
Each man recalled a sincere deed:
① One man had elderly parents. He always served them milk before anyone else. One night, he returned late. His parents had already fallen asleep. He stood holding the milk all night until they woke up. He offered the milk before anyone else. He said, “O Allah, if I did this for Your sake, relieve us.”
The boulder moved slightly.
② Another man loved his cousin and wanted to seduce her. She refused. In a time of famine, she came to him for financial help. He agreed to help her on the condition of committing an immoral act. As they were about to engage in sin, she reminded him to fear Allah. He immediately withdrew and let her keep the money.
He said, “O Allah, if I did this seeking Your pleasure, then relieve us.”
The boulder moved more, but not enough.
③ The third man had hired laborers. One worker left without taking his wage. The man invested that money until it grew into livestock and property. Years later, the man returned to claim his wage. The employer told him, “All this is yours.” The laborer took everything and left.
He said, “O Allah, if I did this for Your sake, relieve us.”
The boulder moved completely, and they exited safely.
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2272]Lesson:
Only Allah saves during tribulations. Call upon Him with sincerity and good deeds.✦ 2. Seeking Relief Through Ṣabr (Patience)
Another response to trials is patience, without panic or complaint. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ
“O you who believe! Seek help through patience and prayer.”
[Al-Baqarah: 153]❖ A Story of Patience: Prophet Ayyub (Job) عليه السلام
Prophet Ayyub عليه السلام was afflicted with disease for eighteen years. His relatives abandoned him, except for two brothers. One day, one brother remarked: “Surely, Ayyub must have committed a sin like no other, or else Allah would have shown mercy.”
When Ayyub عليه السلام heard this, he said:
“I never let two men argue invoking Allah’s name except that I paid their expiation fearing they invoked Allah unjustly.”
Allah then revealed:
"اضْرِبْ بِرِجْلِكَ ۖ هَٰذَا مُغْتَسَلٌ بَارِدٌ وَشَرَابٌ"
“Strike with your foot. Here is a cool spring for bathing and drinking.”
[Ṣād: 42]His health was restored. His wife could not recognize him due to his beauty. Allah also showered gold and silver from the sky.
[Silsilat al-Aḥādīth al-Ṣaḥīḥah: 3872]إِنَّا وَجَدْنَاهُ صَابِرًا
“Indeed, We found him to be patient.”
[Ṣād: 44]✦ 3. Seeking Relief Through Ṣalāh (Prayer)
Again, Allah commands:
وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ
“Seek help through patience and prayer.”
[Al-Baqarah: 153]❖ The Prophet ﷺ and Prayer During Distress
كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِذَا حَزَبَهُ أَمْرٌ صَلَّى
“Whenever the Prophet ﷺ was faced with a distressing matter, he would turn to prayer.”
[Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 1319]❖ A Story: Sārah and the Oppressive King
When Prophet Ibrāhīm عليه السلام migrated with his wife Sārah, they entered a land ruled by a tyrant king. The king wanted Sārah for himself. Ibrāhīm said, “She is my sister (in faith).”
Sārah made wuḍūʾ and prayed, saying:
“O Allah, if I believe in You and Your Prophet and have remained chaste, do not allow this disbeliever to overpower me.”
Each time the king approached her, he was paralyzed. After three failed attempts, he said:
“You have brought a devil! Take her back, and I gift you a servant (Hājar).”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2217]✦ 4. Relying on Tawakkul (Trust) and Taqwā (God-Consciousness)
Trials come from Allah. Only He can remove them. Thus, full trust and reliance (tawakkul) must be placed in Him.
وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا
“Whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out.”
[Al-Ṭalāq: 2]❖ Story of Maryam عليها السلام
When Maryam became pregnant by Allah’s command, she isolated herself. During childbirth, Allah sent a stream and date palm tree to sustain her.
"هُزِّي إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ النَّخْلَةِ تُسَاقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُطَبًا جَنِيًّا"
“Shake the trunk of the palm tree; it will drop fresh dates for you.”
When she returned with her child, Allah enabled baby ʿĪsā to speak, defending her chastity.
✦ 5. Seeking Relief Through Tawbah (Repentance)
Since sins cause tribulations, repentance (tawbah) removes them.
وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَأَنتَ فِيهِمْ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ مُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ
“Allah would not punish them while you are among them, nor while they seek forgiveness.”
[Al-Anfāl: 33]Even Abū Jahl, when he challenged the Qur'an, was not punished because people still made istighfār.
Always seek forgiveness to stay safe from divine punishment.✦ 6. Seeking Relief Through Daily Adhkār (Remembrances)
Reciting morning/evening adhkār, before/after meals, entering/exiting homes, and sleeping provides protection.
The Prophet ﷺ instructed us to:
- Recite adhkār after each ṣalāh
- Read evening and morning duʿās
- Recite adhkār before sleep
If one adheres to these eight moments of remembrance daily, he will:
✔ Remain protected from jinn, siḥr (magic), and all calamities
✔ Avoid needing to visit any ruqyah practitioner
❖ Morning and Evening
❖ After Five Prayers
❖ Before Sleeping
✦ 7. Taking Practical and Lawful Means
Islam encourages using lawful worldly means alongside duʿā.
وَأَنْ لَيْسَ لِلْإِنسَانِ إِلَّا مَا سَعَىٰ
“Man will have nothing except what he strives for.”
[Al-Najm: 39]The Prophet ﷺ, during the Battle of Badr, made duʿā and took action—preparing the army, organizing strategies, and seeking divine help.
Likewise, we must strive for lawful solutions:
✔ Seek medical help when sick
✔ Look for halal income
✔ Seek righteous spouses
✔ And solve our problems within Sharīʿah boundaries
❖ The Key: Faith and Righteous Deeds
Without īmān (faith) and ʿamal ṣāliḥ (righteous deeds), there is no true success or peace.
مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ...
“Whoever does righteous deeds—male or female—while being a believer, We will surely grant them a good life and reward them...”
[Al-Naḥl: 97]❖ Conclusion and Duʿā
We pray that Allah grants us sincerity in action, the strength to bear trials with patience, and success in the tests of life.
Āmīn.
