Don't Be Surprised by the Difficulties of the World [Hikam 24] | Mufti Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf

Summary

The video discusses how to deal with life's difficulties and sorrows by shaping our perspectives. It emphasizes that viewing challenges as manageable tasks can make them easier to confront. The speaker highlights the inevitability of problems in life and the importance of expecting and accepting them as part of the world's nature. By recognizing that life is a test from Allah, one can develop patience and trust in Him to navigate through challenges. The talk encourages a mindset of resilience, understanding, and faith in facing life's trials.

Takeaways

• 😊 Perspective shapes how we handle difficulties: Seeing something as manageable makes us more likely to tackle it.
• 💡 Breaking down tasks can make overwhelming challenges more manageable.
• 🤝 Believing in divine support can provide comfort during hardships.
• 🌍 Difficulties are an inevitable part of life, including in relationships and daily challenges.
• 📜 The world is a place of trials and tests; understanding this can help us cope with difficulties.
• 🧠 Expecting problems in life makes them less surprising and easier to handle.
• 🎁 Adding surprise elements to routine actions, like giving gifts, can enhance their impact.
• ⚖️ Patience and trust in a higher power are essential in dealing with life's unexpected challenges.
• 🔄 Familiarity with difficulties helps us respond better over time, reducing shock and surprise.
• 💪 The goal is not to avoid difficulties but to handle them with patience and resilience.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the transcript?

The main theme of the transcript is how to deal with sorrows, difficulties, losses, and calamities by forming the right perspective and relying on Allah's assistance.

How does perspective influence how humans deal with challenges?

Perspective influences how humans deal with challenges by shaping their perception of the difficulty of a task. If something is perceived as easy, people are more likely to attempt it with confidence. Conversely, if something seems difficult, it can lead to hesitation and fear.

What example from the Quran is mentioned to illustrate the impact of perspective?

The example mentioned from the Quran is when Allah made the enemies look less significant in the eyes of the Muslims and made the Muslims appear larger in the eyes of their enemies, illustrating how perspective can change one’s approach to challenges.

What strategy is suggested for managing large tasks?

The suggested strategy for managing large tasks is to break them down into smaller, more manageable parts. This approach makes the overall task seem less daunting and easier to accomplish.

Why is it important for Muslims to believe in Allah's assistance during difficulties?

It is important for Muslims to believe in Allah's assistance during difficulties because it provides reassurance that Allah has the best intentions for them and helps them to navigate challenges with faith and trust in divine support.

What is the significance of knowing that the world will inevitably have difficulties?

Knowing that the world will inevitably have difficulties prepares individuals to face challenges without being overly surprised or distressed, allowing them to handle problems more effectively and with patience.

What lesson can be learned from the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) experience with his spouses?

The lesson from the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) experience with his spouses is that even the best of people face difficulties in relationships, and it is important to learn how to deal with such issues patiently and constructively.

What advice does the commentator Sheikh Abdullah Ganguhi give about dealing with difficulties?

Sheikh Abdullah Ganguhi advises that as long as one remains in this world, they should not be surprised by the existence of sorrows and difficulties, as these are natural and inevitable aspects of worldly life.

Why should one not be surprised by misfortunes and calamities in this world?

One should not be surprised by misfortunes and calamities because they are natural manifestations of the world's attributes. Understanding this helps individuals to cope better with challenges by recognizing them as part of life’s inherent nature.

What is the role of patience in dealing with the trials of this world?

Patience plays a crucial role in dealing with the trials of this world. It involves trusting in Allah, remaining steadfast, and not allowing challenges to destabilize one’s faith and composure.

Outlines

00:00

💡 The Power of Perspective in Facing Challenges

This paragraph discusses how human perception influences the way we handle difficulties and challenges. It highlights that viewing tasks as manageable or insurmountable can shape our actions. The speaker uses Quranic references to illustrate how Allah changes perspectives to make challenges seem less daunting, emphasizing that a positive outlook can make tasks easier to tackle. Additionally, the importance of knowing that Allah is always there to help believers is underlined, especially when facing the inevitable challenges of life, such as marital issues, workplace conflicts, and other worldly difficulties.

05:04

🌍 Understanding the Nature of the World and Its Challenges

This paragraph explores the inherent challenges and sorrows of life in this world, emphasizing that they are natural and inevitable. The speaker advises that one should not be surprised by these difficulties, as they are part of the world's character. By accepting this reality, one can better cope with losses, inconveniences, and unexpected problems. The idea is to balance the recognition of challenges with the appreciation of unexpected blessings, understanding that both are part of the world's nature. The speaker also mentions how the surprise factor in life events diminishes as one becomes accustomed to the world's trials.

10:05

🔄 Embracing Life's Inevitable Challenges with Patience

This paragraph reinforces the idea that the difficulties we face in life are inevitable and should not be surprising. It stresses that understanding this can help us deal with challenges more effectively. The speaker highlights the importance of patience and resilience, pointing out that the world is a test designed to distinguish between those who are patient and those who are not. The paragraph also touches on the concept that life in this world, or 'dunya,' is inherently filled with trials, and one should not expect it to be free of problems. Instead, one should focus on enduring these challenges with faith and patience.

15:07

🛡️ Facing Life's Uncontrollable Situations with Faith

This paragraph emphasizes the importance of relying on faith and patience when facing situations beyond our control. It explains that while we can choose our actions in certain situations, there are times when we have no control, and these are the moments when patience and trust in Allah are crucial. The speaker encourages the listener to focus on doing the right thing in such situations, as guided by faith, and to remember that everything we need to cope with life's challenges is already provided by Allah. The message is one of empowerment through faith, even in the face of uncontrollable events.

Keywords

💡Perspective

Perspective refers to the way individuals view or interpret a situation, which significantly influences their reactions and responses. In the video, the speaker emphasizes that how we perceive difficulties—whether as insurmountable challenges or manageable tasks—determines our ability to confront and overcome them. The importance of perspective is illustrated by the Quranic example where enemies were made to look fewer in the eyes of believers, boosting their courage.

💡Calamities

Calamities are unexpected and often distressing events or situations that cause significant hardship. The video discusses how calamities are an inevitable part of life and that understanding this can help individuals manage their expectations and reactions. The speaker explains that the world is inherently full of trials and that one should not be surprised by the occurrence of misfortunes, as they are a natural part of the world's character.

💡Patience (Sabr)

Patience, or 'Sabr' in Arabic, is the ability to endure difficult circumstances without losing faith or composure. The video highlights patience as a key virtue for dealing with the inevitable challenges and sorrows of life. The speaker advises that patience should be the immediate response to any trial, emphasizing that it is what Allah expects from believers when they face situations beyond their control.

💡Optimism

Optimism is the tendency to look at the positive aspects of situations, even in the face of difficulties. The speaker in the video underscores the importance of maintaining an optimistic outlook to manage life’s challenges effectively. By breaking down overwhelming tasks into smaller, manageable parts, optimism allows individuals to approach problems with courage and determination, rather than fear and hesitation.

💡Inevitable Nature of the World

This concept refers to the idea that the world is inherently filled with difficulties, and such challenges are natural and unavoidable. The video emphasizes that understanding this reality helps individuals cope better with life's adversities. The speaker quotes that one should not be surprised by the existence of sorrows and calamities, as they are manifestations of the world's inevitable nature.

💡Test and Trial

In the context of the video, 'Test and Trial' refers to the belief that life’s challenges are meant to test an individual’s patience, faith, and resilience. The speaker explains that the world is a 'daro Abdullah,' an abode of tests, where believers are distinguished based on their reactions to difficulties. Understanding life as a test helps believers navigate hardships with a sense of purpose and faith.

💡Gratitude

Gratitude is the act of being thankful for the positives in life, even amid difficulties. The video touches on how balancing patience with gratitude is essential for a fulfilling life. It suggests that while the world presents many challenges, it also offers unexpected blessings, and recognizing these blessings helps maintain a balanced and grateful mindset.

💡Contamination

Contamination, in the context of the video, metaphorically refers to the impurities or challenges that disrupt the purity of life’s experiences. The speaker explains that life is contaminated with difficulties, which are natural and necessary characteristics of the world. This understanding prepares individuals to face challenges without being destabilized by them.

💡Surprise

Surprise is an unexpected event or outcome that catches one off guard. The video discusses how managing expectations can reduce the element of surprise in facing life’s difficulties. By expecting challenges as a natural part of life, individuals can prevent themselves from being shocked or destabilized by sudden hardships, thereby maintaining emotional and mental equilibrium.

💡Spiritual Path

The spiritual path refers to the journey of a believer in seeking closeness to Allah and spiritual growth. The video describes life as a journey or 'travel' along a spiritual path, where individuals encounter tests and trials meant to purify and elevate their character. Understanding life as a spiritual journey helps believers contextualize their hardships as opportunities for growth and development.

Highlights

Understanding perspective is crucial in dealing with difficulties; how we perceive a challenge affects our response to it.

Breaking down large tasks into smaller, manageable parts can make overwhelming situations seem more approachable.

Knowing that Allah is always there to help provides comfort and assurance during hardships.

The inevitability of difficulties in life, including in marriage, is a reality we must accept.

Even the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) faced challenges in his relationships, highlighting that problems are a natural part of life.

Expecting challenges and being mentally prepared for them can reduce the shock and stress when they occur.

The world naturally manifests sorrows and difficulties, which are inherent to its character.

Surprising events lose their shock factor when we anticipate that difficulties are part of life.

Dealing with unexpected challenges by recognizing them as part of the world's nature can ease the emotional burden.

The dunya (world) is an abode of tests and trials, designed to distinguish between the patient and impatient, the grateful and ungrateful.

Patience (sabr) is the appropriate response to trials; it should be practiced immediately, not after prolonged distress.

When faced with unavoidable challenges, our responsibility is to put our trust in Allah and respond with patience and correct actions.

In situations where we have no control, the best course of action is to rely on the guidance provided by Allah.

Understanding that the dunya is not paradise helps manage expectations and reduces disappointment when faced with difficulties.

Gifts and gestures are most appreciated when they come as surprises, highlighting the value of thoughtfulness and spontaneity.

Transcripts

hamdulillahi rabbil aalameen salatu

was-salam ala sayyidal mursaleen why he

was sorry he is my name I'm not bad how

to deal with sorrows how to deal with

difficulties how to deal with losses and

calamities a lot of the way the human

works in dealing with different things

is that you form a perspective you look

at a thing in a particular way and that

will actually help us to that will

affect the way you deal with something

if you think something is easy then

you're more likely that you're gonna try

to do it

for example allah subhanho wa taala says

in the quran that we made them look less

in your eyes and we made you look larger

in quantity in their eyes that obviously

means that the perspective is changed

now if I think that I'm against somebody

that is much stronger much larger the

task is much more difficult then the

reaction is going to be according and if

I think that something is very easy to

overcome then I'm willing to become more

brave and do it

so that's human beings that's the way

human beings are if we think something

is too far we're not gonna try if if

it's made out to seem closer we say okay

let's go

have you noticed that sometimes when

you're going somewhere when you're going

there seems to take longer than when

you're coming back the journey there

seems to take longer a lot to do humans

have a lot to do with perspective that's

why probably some of the best of those

who manage their life well is those who

have the best way of looking at things

who look at things very optimistically

who look at things in a way that they

can sometimes break it down so another

another strategy that they provide is

that if you look at it as a big task

then it's gonna seem too much but if you

break it down say ok if I do this part

first if you break it down into its

constituents I need to do this then I

need to do is then I need to buy this

then I

to bring this that I need to add this

then suddenly it starts becoming

manageable but when you look at it as a

whole owner how am I going to do this so

one of the several things that really

help in dealing with life is that when

you know that somebody is assisting you

so clearly with for the Muslims for

anybody who believes in Allah the fact

that you know that Allah is there to

help you he has the best NIA for for us

he has the best in that the the best in

store for us and the other thing we have

to know is that this world is going to

inevitably have difficulties so when we

talk about marriage even there's gonna

be difficulties in marriage I doubt

you'll come across anybody who has never

had any more even a small issue in

marriage with their spouse even the

Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam had

issues with his spouse's though there

was a wonderful relationship and the

prophet sallallaahu seldom was obviously

the best of us in character but there

was an occasion where he left the wives

and went and stayed in loft for

approximately 29 days or so so they

extend their omadi allahu anhu was

wondering if he had divorced his wives

and likewise once he went to fatima

radiyaallahu anhu his daughter's house

to look for a leader in the allah on her

and who his husband and father and said

oh that we've just had a problem we had

a bit of a problem he's in the Masjid so

people have problems it's about then how

you learn to deal with those problems so

if you know that you're gonna have

problems when you get into marriage

you're not going to be very surprised

you're not gonna be out of water like a

fish out of water when a problem does

arise which inevitably if you know that

you're gonna have with your co-workers

you could run into some complications

some challenges they don't have to be

major as long as you know that then it's

easy so this is what if not Allah Allah

is saying for to make it easy for us to

basically tell us the reality of the

world really he's just explaining the

reality of how things

occur in this world that's all he's

saying so he's saying let us tell him

cuckoo akka dari madam toffee hobby hit

down let us tell him a canary madam

toffee had him be happy hid our for in

her abroad in Mahua must the hawk kun in

Lama who musta Huck who wuz feeha what

why jiwoo naughty huh say that again man

a brother in Lama who a musta Haku was

we huh

what was even a tea huh this is what he

says he says so long as you are in this

world be not surprised at the existence

of sorrows as long as you remain in this

world don't be surprised that there will

be sorrows that you'll have to confront

you'll have to confront others have to

confront them it's just the nature of

this world for truly the world it the

world manifests nothing but but what is

in keeping with its character or its

inevitable nature whatever happens in

the world happens because that is the

nature and the character of the world

you can't expect it to be anything else

the only thing you can probably make go

out for is o Allah minimize my problems

give me a fear and allow me to deal with

them but give me a few give me

well-being but when they come you have

to do look at the Madani life and the

Mucky life of the prophet sallallaahu

are yourself the difficulties so the

commentator of this one of the

commentator sheikh abdullah Gangu he he

says as long as you are in the world do

not be surprised that difficulties

misfortunes and sorrows you're going to

lose something your key may break you

may lose your keys you may lose your bus

pass you may lose your travel card you

may lose your bank card you may lose

your wallet I mean if you start talking

about that you may have a leak you may

have a disease you may have an illness

you may have relationship problems you

may not be able to get in a school you

want to get into you may not be able to

your clothing may shrink mundane things

went into the wash in your clothing

shrink UN outside you thought it wasn't

gonna rain and then suddenly just poured

down you you you became soaked and so on

and so forth but just as many of those

things happen I mean just as so many of

those things happen there are so many

positives that happen you weren't

expecting to gain something and suddenly

you got something you weren't expecting

to get this particular job in you got it

you weren't expecting to get a promotion

and you got it you didn't you never

thought that you'd be able to get

married to a such a person and you did

there are so many different things like

that that's just the nature of the world

so that's what he's saying Oh traveler

because at the end of the day that's

that's what he calls us we're travelers

travelers especially to the spiritual

path because those people think more

that while you are in this earthly abode

do not feel surprised surprised if

clouds of contamination sets all over

you

contamination basically things not going

the right way when it's pure there's

nothing wrong with it it's contaminated

life is contaminated with difficulties

an amazing and surprising event is

something that is not expected to

transpire an amazing and surprising

event is something that is not expected

to transpire if something has to be

surprising or amazing

you're not going to expect it because

when you expect something it's no longer

surprising or astonishing or amazing so

for example they suggest that if you're

gonna give your spouse or anybody gifts

if it's something ritualistic you're

giving that every week I have to get

flowers or every week I have to buy him

a box of chocolates then suddenly it

becomes boring because there's no

surprise element left unless you go out

of your way to find new chocolates every

week or new flowers every week

there's a surprise there because there's

an expectation when you have an

expectation there's no surprise in these

things so that's why gifts a gift is

made even better when there's an element

of surprise with it oh I get the same

thing from all the time that's and then

somebody saying oh he or she brings me

different things there's a there's a

consider there's a there's a thought

process behind it as a surprise element

behind it so an amazing and surprising

event is something that is not expected

to transpire regarding the misfortunes

and calamities of the of this world

nothing so then he's basically this is

just building up her premise he's he's

saying that if you're expecting

something you won't be surprising if

you're expecting something it won't be

shocking that's what he's saying

that once you get used to expecting

something it's not going to shock you

anymore it's not gonna surprise you it

should not destabilize you so regarding

the misfortunes and calamities of this

world if you look at their essential

nature nothing surprising is happening

that's what he's trying to say by this

because whatever is happening in this

world is inevitable so it's not

surprising anymore and think about that

the next time something hits us Allah

give us a feared when next time anything

happens that's out of the ordinary just

think of it that's not a surprise it's

the world it's inevitable it'll just

make it that much more easier for us to

deal with such events are merely the

natural manifestation of the attributes

of the world you're in the duniya that's

when I get what's going to happen

otherwise you're looking for paradise

but as long as we're here it's not

paradise contamination pollution etc are

the natural and necessary

characteristics of this world since

Allah Most High has created it as a

trial and a test to distinguish between

the patients

impatient ones another name for the

dunya is what the reason is called dunya

is a intuitive name in the sense that it

just means closer and our hero means the

next one so dunya is closer to us than

our Kela that's why it's a relative term

dunya it's also the lower lower world

compared to the hereafter but another

name for the dunya is darrell Abdullah

daro Abdullah in the abode of tests and

it's also called darrell as bob the

abode of means because things don't

happen by magic key you need means so

you need a means to be able to deal with

surprising events so that their surprise

factor comes out of it that's the means

where that's what we're doing right now

we're employing a means here by saying

that whenever something happens slowly

slowly first time it still seemed it's

still going to seem like a surprise but

every time that happens and we make our

approach and our reaction to it that oh

that's not a surprise just the dunya

you'll soon get used to that nothing

will surprise you anymore for example

when we're dealing with a lot of

people's issues we pretty pretty much

heard of everything generally so nothing

generally surprises anymore but to be

honest sometimes once in a while

something comes up so recently somebody

called me a few weeks ago and he said oh

I've got an issue with this and other

husband-and-wife issue and okay I

probably heard it I didn't say that I

didn't obviously say that but you know

generally that's that you've generally

heard it it's generically something with

other he says get ready for it so I was

about to say and I don't know even I

don't know even if I said I can't

remember if I actually said that but I

was about to say I've probably heard it

before it's probably all gonna surprise

me I'm not sure if I said that or not

and then what he actually told me was

the level higher than what I'd heard

before so it was a bit surprising right

shocking rather you know that somebody

can stoop so low we don't want to become

desensitized of course but at the end of

this is a coping mechanism and it's so

important the coping mechanism as we'll

see from the

of it is that that's what Allah wants us

to do that if you freak out and you

don't know what to do in that situation

he's not saying that you must make it

you must just know it's coming and then

just not do anything about it

no we supposed to do something about it

but what I supposed to do is sovereign

patience not freak out and then two

three days later when we can't do

anything can't get anywhere there says

oh I should be with allah subhanaw taala

that subber aspect should kick in right

from the beginning and i guess the way

to do that is when something in Orillia

when I do you ruin immediately remember

allah subhanaw taala

so that's why he's saying that these are

this world is a trial a test to

distinguish between the patient and the

impatient one and between the grateful

and the ungrateful one so our job then

is that you know we have two different

types of tasks in the world some are

what you call FD re they're optional

right pray you don't pray by default you

we're not praying by default so pray

avoid avoid Xena avoid stealing so again

if we don't do anything wrong we're

we're by default not not committing

fornication or not stealing so our job

when it comes to optional acts is to do

as much as possible of what we've been

commanded and stay away from as much as

we've been prohibited from that's

essentially what our job is

however there are other cases in which

there's no option for us we get thrown

into something or something gets thrown

to us on to us a difficulty a challenge

there al are just there what Allah wants

from us is that they were stuck right

Allah wants us to basically do the best

thing in that situation which is to be

patient put your trust in Allah subhana

WA Ta'ala and do the right thing that's

our responsibility so we can't control

everything in our life but we've been

told what to do that

if you have an option then you know what

to do and if you don't have an option

meaning if it's thrown at you and you've

been forced into a situation you still

been told what to do

so Allah guided us there's nothing that

we should there's basically nothing that

we we need to seek from outside it's all

there