What is the wisdom behind the misfortunes that hit us unavoidably?

Dear Brother / Sister,

9.1.11- Misfortunes that hit us unavoidably

On the other hand, some misfortunes can hit man unavoidably. There are important wisdoms behind them. Once, the Prophet (pbuh) stated the following in Madinah:

“No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.”¹

Hz. Aisha reports the following hadith that has the same meaning:

 “The Messenger of Allah said:

‘There is no misfortune that hits a Muslim with which Allah does not expiate his sins for that.’”²

These explanations show that all kinds of misfortunes, sorrow, grief, sadness, thoughts, fatigue and painful things, are atonement for some of the sins of the believer; they erase and destroy them. Thus, mercy manifests in misfortunes in a sense. The sins of the believer are not left to the Hereafter; he is saved from the penalty in the Hereafter and his degree rises. In that case, such misfortunes are beautiful in terms of their consequences; they are like bitter medication; they free us from sins, which are spiritual illnesses that will darken our hereafter, our eternal world. In this respect, it is necessary to show consent and surrender to qadar.

The Prophet made the following explanation about showing consent to qadar in the face of misfortunes and diseases:

 “If Allah wishes for good and goodness for a person, He sends a misfortune to him (to atone for his sins and to elevate his degree).”³

Abdullah b. Masud narrates the following regarding the issue:

“I went to visit the Prophet (pbuh) when he was ill. He had a severe fever. I said to him,

‘You have a high fever and you are shivering.’

Then, I added,

‘Is it because you will have a double reward for it?’

He said,

‘Yes, for no Muslim is afflicted with any harm but that Allah will remove his sins as the leaves of a tree fall down.’”

In that case, if the Muslim shows consent to qadar and thanks Allah instead of complaining, Allah will clean him of his sins with diseases and misfortunes. From this point of view, misfortunes and problems are blessings and mercy. Man should not complain about them; he should thank Allah for them; such misfortunes should be met with patience and thanking. So, diseases and misfortunes are Allah’s bestowal and gifts in a way. In this respect, Allah gave the most severe diseases and misfortunes to his beloved servants and prophets. Muslims should show consent in the face of diseases, troubles and misfortunes and remember the following verse:

“When afflicted with calamity, they say, ‘Inna lillahiwainnailayhiraji’un = To Allah We belong, and to Him is our return’”⁴

The Prophet (pbuh) also stated the following regarding unavoidable misfortunes:

“If Allah sends punishment upon a nation, it befalls upon the whole population indiscriminately and then they will be resurrected (and judged) according to their deeds.”⁵

It seems that when penalties (difficulties and hardships) such as famine, disease, earthquake, difficulties, costliness and collective deaths are sent to a community, it can hit all kinds of people in the community. Such penalties affect both good and bad people. If the penalty affects only the wicked people, it will be contrary to the secret of testing. In that case, everyone will inevitably be good. However, when Allah resurrects people on the Day of Resurrection, He will reward the good and treat everyone according to their deeds.

1.Umara, p. 375, nr. 607; (Bukhari, Mardawat-Tibb, 1); IbnuAbil-’Izz, p. 366.
2.Umara, p. 375, nr. 606; (Bukhari, Mardawat-Tibb, 1).
3.Hay’ah, Majmaut-Tafasir, III, p. 376, nr. 606.
4.al-Baqara, 15; see alsoLuqman,17; al-Hajj, 35.
5.Umara, p. 455, nr. 775; (Bukhari, Fitan, 19).

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