Feb 19, 2008

The Importance of Being Thankful

Assalamualaikum.
Insha'Allah you are all doing well.
While searching up some inspirational stories (we all need to be inspired once in a while!) I came across this one. All I can say is...subhanAllah.

Being Thankful

It is said that once Hasan al-Basri had a very sharp headache, so he tied a bandana over his head. Rabia Basri saw him and inquired the cause for the bandana, to which Hasan al-Basri told her of the headache.

Rabia Basri asked him if this headache is something he gets often. Hasan al-Basri replied that Allah has blessed him with good health and it is after many years that he had a headache this severe.

“Is it not strange that Allah gave you good health for years, and then when He afflicts you with some pain, you wear a banner on your head to advertise your pain?”

Hasan al-Basri says that after that day he never ever complained of any harship he faced.

I don’t know the authenticity, but I often marvel at the lesson. How thankful are we in the times of ease and how quick we are to complain in the times of difficulty? We have to realise that it is only with the mercy of Allah (SWT) that we feel ease and comfort as well as pain and difficulty. We must also keep in mind that with pain comes ease because pain wipes away some of our sins. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “No misfortune or disease befalls a Muslim, no worry or grief or harm or distress – not even a thorn that pricks him – but Allah will expiate for some of his sins because of that.” Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim.

May Allah (SWT) keep us on the straight path.

ma'salaam =)


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