I was very close to being fed up with life’s difficulties. Poverty had its hands up my neck. And although I had been careful in spending, my situation was not getting any better. My situation had become so difficult that I decided to see Imam Hadi (PBUH) and complain about the situation Allah (SWT) had willed upon me.
I began my journey toward the Imam’s (PBUH) house. After asking permission, I was directed toward the Imam (PBUH). I sat besides the Imam (PBUH) and just as I was about to start complaining about my situation, Imam Hadi (PBUH) said, “O Aba Hashim! Which of Allah’s (SWT) blessings do you want to praise?”
With these words, the Imam (PBUH) had caught me off-guard as I struggled to find answers. Seconds later, the Imam (PBUH) spoke again, “Allah (SWT) blessed you with faith to save you from Hell fire. He blessed you with health to help you in worshipping Him. And He blessed you with contentment to protect you from embarrassment…
“O Aba Hashim! I began the conversation in such a manner because I assumed you were going to complain about the One who blessed you with all these blessings. [And by the way,] I have ordered that you be given 100 Ashrafis. Take them…(1)”
Perhaps we all have experienced hardships and difficulties in our lives. Issues that make life seem so suffocating that we highly feel the urge to complain… With a review on the abovementioned story, we can realize that Imam Hadi’s (PBUH) addressee was not only Abu Hashim; in fact, the Imam’s (PBUH) comments were directed to all faithful men and women who are desperately striving hard to find a way toward change in their difficulties and hardships. The message of the Imam (PBUH) focuses our attention to seeing what we possess, rather than what we lack. These are the same blessings for which without them we would be the poorest, even if we have all the riches in the world. And these are the same blessings, that if we had them, we could be the richest, even if we were the poorest materially.
With all said, amid all the difficulties of life, we can see Allah’s (SWT) promise to us as He gives us glad tidings, “Surely, with (each) difficulty is ease…(2)”
(The above is a selection taken from the book “The Comprehensive Sayings of Imam Hadi (PBUH)” by Hadith Research Center of Baqir al-Ulum, with certain changes.)
The Roshd Website offers condolences to all Muslims, especially you dear friend, upon the third of Rajab, the martyrdom of the tenth star of Wilayat, the leader of guidance, Imam Ali ibn Muhammad al-Hadi (PBUH).
References:
1. Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih, vol. 4, p. 401, Hadith #5863; Amaali Sheikh al-Saduq, p. 497, Hadith 682
2. The Holy Quran, (94: 5 & 6)