Ramadan 1445 AH — Day 16: Staying Away From Fitnah
The happy one is he who avoids fitnah — Abu Dawūd
In the face of trials and doubts, the human heart is susceptible to change, often leading to confusion and potential apostasy. In addition to undergoing significant transformations, the heart experiences continual challenges. Trials, tribulations, and desires frequently confront the heart.
Compounding this, we live in an age characterized by rapid change, where unprecedented access to content is readily available for scrutiny like never before. Hence, involving ourselves in fitnah is easier than you could imagine. This is part of the fitnah of the time we live. And this is why Allah’s Apostle ﷺ warned us severely about staying away from doubts and fitnah:
Hudhayfah reported: the Messenger of Allah, ﷺ said: “It is not befitting for a believer to humiliate himself.” They said, “How does he humiliate himself?” The Prophet said, “He confronts a trial he cannot endure.” — Tirmidhi
Without a doubt, there’s wisdom and benefit in some trials in which Allah afflicts us, rather than it being a cause of our actions. Here are ten of them as found in the treatise Al-Fitan wa’l-Balāyā wa’l-Miḥan wa’l-Razāyā written by the classical scholar ‘Izz al-Dīn ibn ‘Abd al-Salām:
- Realizing the power of Allah over us.
- Realizing our complete servitude to Him.
- Repenting to Him.
- Being humble before Him.
- Being patient.
- Being grateful to Allah.
- Being purified of sins.
- Being pleased with the decree of Allah.
- Recognizing the hidden blessings in trials.
- Hoping in the reward of the Hereafter.
While we have mentioned the concealed blessings in trials, offering a cautionary note is crucial. Seeking out trials and tribulations should be avoided. Plunging ourselves into hardship and adversity with unwarranted confidence in our spiritual strength to conquer them can be perilous.
This is why the Prophet ﷺ warned us thus:
Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “There will be tribulations during which one who is sitting is better than one who is standing, and one who stands is better than one who is walking, and one who walks is better than one who is running. He who exposes himself to them will be drawn to them and whoever finds a refuge from them, let him seek protection therein.” — Saheeh Bukhari and Muslim
For this reason after every prayer, the Prophet ﷺ would seek refuge in Allah from “the trials of life and death and the evil trial of the False Messiah.” This is a comprehensive supplication for protection from every trial we can face, especially the great tribulations that will appear at the end of time.
Action Points
- Avoid getting involved in fitnah, no matter how minute it may seem.
- In a situation where you find yourself in the fitnah, withdraw to a safe place to be saved from the evil of the turmoil.
- Always supplicate to Allah to save you from the fitnah of life and death, and that of the false messiah.
That’s it for today, take action on this Daily Revival and if you missed yesterday’s episode, you can find it here. I ask Allah to make it easy for you and me. Amin!
Yaumul Thalatha 16th Ramadan 1445 AH // Tuesday 26th March 2024.
- If you’d like to support a charitable cause this Ramadan, donate to Rafeeqee Foundation
- You may join my WhatsApp Broadcast channel called “Islamic Reminders” where you can find some more beneficial stuff.
- Finally, I made a practical video on how to crush your Ramadan goals using two non-conventional methodologies. You’ll find it on Pure Masculinity Podcast, don’t forget to subscribe.
