Friday Lessons

Why adopting a positive attitude during a crisis can actually be a solution for your difficulties?

by: Shaykh Zafar ul Hasan
Translated by: Nisaar Nadiadwala
Positive Attitude during a crisis can actually be a solution for your difficulties?

Every hardship has a positive outcome if…

Allah has put character on priority while on the front line for a Muslim whenever an issue needs to be dealt with. There are two perspectives to see an issue from. It could be seen from either a positive or a negative angle. In other words every issue can be related to goodness or evil. The teachings of Islam keeps a Believer focused on goodness on every issue that he faces no matter how hard and difficult it appears and he keeps on expecting a good outcome. This positive attitude also happens to be the strongest source of our mutual love and affection that binds us together.

Man is created to undergo hardships

Allah has already declared that 'Man has been created to be in hardship, ​ ' which indicates a lot of hardships, difficulties and crises a human being undergoes. With regards to the believers Allah has already said, "We will surely test you with something of fear, hunger, loss in wealth, health and profit." The verse goes further assuring a glad tidings to those who bear such crises with patience and it says, When a calamity befalls them they say, "Indeed we are from Allah and to Him we shall be returning. Those are the ones upon whom are the Blessings from their Lord and His Mercy and those are the ones who are on the guidance. "

The strongest precaution and preparation to survive a crisis is to purify one's Nafs.

Allah has given the capacity to each soul to look at each crises from two perspectives, hoping a good outcome and waiting patiently for it or giving up all the hope and look at the crises as a huge disaster. This is exactly what the Qur'an means when it says, We have put both the inclinations in your nafs but he who purifies his soul from the evil inclination will be successful.

Purification of souls is correcting your character and improving your behaviour

Imam Qatadah, who is well known as the Imam of Tafseerul Qur'an, explains the methodology of purifying the soul. He says, purification of soul means to hold on to obedience to Allah and His Messenger and wipe away the bad traits that you have in your character and behaviour. Successful out come from a crises is possible only if one purifies his soul as Allah declares, "And successful is he who purifies his soul and one who submits himself to the mischief of his soul will be doomed." There are certain negative traits in a personality which needs to get rid off and Allah Himself says, " Whoever gets his soul cleansed off miserliness and stinginess will be successful." This verse shows that not spending at the right place at the right time upon the right people is a negative trait and a cause for submission to the mischief of the soul. Not reining one's Nafs and allowing it to wander behind desires and temptation cannot lead a person to success.

A clean soul brings up a clean heart.

Surah Shu'ara says that person who will bring a clean heart will be successful on the day of Qiyamah. On the day of Qiyamah, a person cannot be benefitted by his children or his wealth but person who comes with a clean nafs will be saved. The Arabic term is 'Qalb e Saleem' which means that a person will struggle against the temptation of his Nafs and make it agree and follow the commands of Allah in all circumstances. People who never let go their nafs to take charge of them but set their eyes on Allah in every situation, will be possessing Qalb e Muneer. This paradise is for him who brings Qalb e Muneer, a bright heart.