Dear Islamic brothers! It is a given that difficulties and calamities will appear in the world, so instead of running from them, we must face them and make them a means of earning reward for the Hereafter. How can we do this? Let us find out.

Make hardship a means of reward

In verse 155 of Surah al-Baqarah, Allah Almighty states:

وَ لَنَبْلُوَنَّکُمْ بِشَیْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَ الْجُوْعِ وَ نَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْاَمْوَالِ وَ الْاَنْفُسِ وَ الثَّمَرٰتِ ؕ وَ بَشِّرِ الصّٰبِرِیْنَ (۱۵۵)ۙ

 We shall most certainly test you with some fear, and hunger; and some loss of wealth, lives, and fruits.  And give glad tidings to the patient.^[1]

It is written in Tafsīr NaꜤīmī under this verse:

O Muslims! You are the best Ummah, and the high-ranking ones are given the hardest tests, so you will be tested in many aspects. Sometimes through fear of the enemy, sometimes through famine, sometimes with poverty, sometimes through loss in wealth, sometimes through the deaths of children, parents, relatives and friends. At other times through a loss in gardens, crops and fruits. In short, it can be said that there are several test papers, and you must aim for full marks in every paper.^[2]

How can we attain full marks? Through patience. Allah Almighty states:

وَ بَشِّرِ الصّٰبِرِیْنَ (۱۵۵)ۙ

And give glad tidings to the patient.^[3]

We learn that when difficulty, hardship and calamity strike, the way we