Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
Belief in divine decree and destiny is one of the pillars of faith. A Muslim’s faith is not complete until he knows that whatever has befallen him could never have missed him, and whatever has missed him could never have befallen him, and that everything occurs by the decree and destiny of Allah. Allah Almighty says:
“Indeed, We have created everything according to a decree.”
[Al-Qamar: 49]
Patience is one of the greatest qualities of faith. It is to faith as the head is to the body. Allah has promised those who are patient a tremendous reward, saying:
“Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without measure.”
[Az-Zumar: 10]
Everything that occurs of calamities affecting a person, his wealth, his family, or anything else was known by Allah Almighty before it occurred, and He recorded it in the Preserved Tablet. He, Glorified be He, says:
“No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a Book before We bring it into existence.”
[Al-Hadid: 22]
A calamity occurs by the permission and decree of Allah. The believer knows that whatever Allah has decreed for him is good, even if its wisdom is hidden from him. Allah Almighty says:
“Say: Never will anything befall us except what Allah has decreed for us. He is our Protector, and upon Allah let the believers rely.”
[At-Tawbah: 51]
And He says:
“No calamity befalls except by Allah’s permission. And whoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart.”
[At-Taghabun: 11]
Therefore, when calamities befall him, a Muslim must believe in Allah’s decree, submit to His judgment, remain patient, and seek reward from Him. The reward for patience is Paradise. Allah Almighty says:
“And He will reward them, for their patience, with Paradise and silk.”
[Al-Insan: 12]
Patience is not limited to calamities. Rather, it includes patience with Allah’s decrees, patience in obeying Him, and patience in refraining from sins. Likewise, one who calls people to Allah needs patience in enduring the harm he encounters. Therefore, Allah said to His Prophet ﷺ:
“So be patient, as those of firm resolve among the messengers were patient.”
[Al-Ahqaf: 35]
When hardships descend, Allah has instructed the believers to seek help through patience and prayer. He says:
“O you who believe, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.”
[Al-Baqarah: 153]
The believer is rewarded in both prosperity and adversity. When a blessing reaches him, he gives thanks; and when a calamity befalls him, he remains patient. In both situations, it is good for him, as the Prophet ﷺ said:
“How wonderful is the affair of the believer! Indeed, all of his affairs are good, and this is not the case for anyone except the believer. If something good happens to him, he is grateful, and that is good for him; and if something harmful happens to him, he is patient, and that is good for him.”
Narrated by Muslim.
One of the greatest things prescribed for a Muslim to say when a calamity occurs is:
“Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.”
Allah has given the patient glad tidings of mercy and guidance. He says:
“And give glad tidings to the patient—those who, when disaster strikes them, say: ‘Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.’ Upon them are blessings from their Lord and mercy, and it is they who are rightly guided.”
[Al-Baqarah: 155–157]
And Allah Almighty knows best.