“What should I do now? How can I compensate for this loss? I have no luck at all; it seems that God has forgotten me…”
Aren’t these sentences familiar to us? Whether consciously or unconsciously, when we lose something valuable or face a material loss in life, we either speak these words or they cross our minds. However, the Qur’an offers us a completely different perspective when it says:
“Indeed, We have made whatever is on the earth an adornment for it, in order to test them [to see] which of them is best in deeds” [1].
Impatience in times of calamities is a precursor to destruction, because in reality, it reflects a reluctance to accept the will and action of God. After we have made every effort and used all our abilities to prevent a blessing from leaving us, but it happened according to God’s will, what should we do? Does restlessness and sorrow bring back the lost blessing? Restlessness in the loss of material blessings and opportunities signifies shame in God’s test. On the other hand, patience in such difficulties not only allows us to emerge from these divine tests with dignity, but God, in His grace, also rewards us. The conduct of the Imams also invites us to be patient in such conditions.
It is narrated that Imam Al-Jawad (peace be upon him) was sent valuable fabrics, but on the way, a thief stole them. The person who was tasked with delivering the fabrics informed the Imam through a letter. The Imam wrote the following in reply:
“Life and wealth are blessings from God that have been entrusted to us as a trust. What is gained from them in happiness and joy brings reward, and what is taken from us also has a reward. Therefore, if a person lets restlessness overpower patience, their reward is lost. We seek refuge in God from such a fate” [2].
While it is true that the thief, by committing this act, has chosen the path of misfortune, the wise person understands that restlessness in times of calamities is futile, for whatever God has decreed will ultimately happen, and impatience will not bring back the lost property. There is no doubt that after some time, a person must leave behind their impatience. It is better, then, to free oneself from sorrow from the outset, so that their reward is not lost. Of course, attaining this perspective requires patience and great effort, which can only be achieved through faith in God and His assistance.
(Source: Jami’ al-Sa’adat by Allama Mulla Mahdi Naraghi, translated by Mr. Karim Feyzi, with edits and additions)
Footnotes:
[1] Surah Al-Kahf, Ayah 7
[2] Tuhfah al-Uqoul, p. 456