Reacting to the loss of a loved one

 لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللّٰهُ نَفۡسًا اِلَّا وُسۡعَهَا

“Allah does not burden a soul beyond that he can bear….”
(2:286)

Allah (s.w.t) does not burden anyone with any trouble in which they are unable, physically or mentally, to bear. It is important to understand that every form of hardship that we face in life is a test from Allah (s.w.t). It is a test of patience, devotion and trust in Allah (s.w.t).

Putting your trust in Allah

This means that regardless of the situation, Allah (s.w.t) is choosing to test you with that challenge because He knows that you can get through it; that you are strong enough. So trust in that, trust in that strength that Allah (s.w.t) gave you.

Abu Hurayrah (radi Allahu anhu) reported that The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “Allah, the Exalted, says: ‘I have no reward other than Jannah for a believing slave of Mine who remains patient for My sake when I take away his beloved one from among the inhabitants of the world’.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari]

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “When a person’s child dies, Allah the Most High asks His angels, ‘Have you taken out the life of the child of My slave?’  They reply in the affirmative. He then asks, ‘Have you taken the fruit of his heart?’ They reply in the affirmative.

Thereupon he asks, ‘What has My slave said?’ They say: ‘He has praised You and said: Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un (We belong to Allah and to Him we shall be returned).’ Allah says: ‘Build a house for My slave in Jannah and name it Bait-ul-Hamd (the House of Praise).”

[Classed as Hassan by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 1408]

Patience and Faith

Our friends, child, spouse and parents, etc, are the dearest people to us. It is a great sign of Faith to accept their death as the Will of Allah, to bear their loss with patience. Such are also tests from Allah to see how strong we are in accepting His will. Wailing and continuous expression of unacceptance may reflect disbelief in the will of Allah swt and hence may cause weakness of in faith. May Allah swt strengthen our Imaan and guide us through times bring us closer to Him in times of difficulty.