Moderation in joy and grief

Muslims’ commitment to Allah and His religion entails an unconditional loyalty. For this reason, fluctuating conditions and circumstances never change believers’ zeal, enthusiasm and determination to live by the morals of the Qur’an. Allah mentions two basic reactions displayed by a believer. First, conditions that are seemingly hard and severe never daunt him. Second, he never exults or feels pride because of what he obtains in this world. Allah states:

That is so that you will not be grieved about the things that pass you by or exult about the things that come to you. Allah does not love any vain or boastful man. (Surat al-Hadid; 23)

Man is always vulnerable, since he has no idea about what awaits him in life. A young person may suddenly be seized by a serious disease or become bedridden because of an accident. Anyone may lose all his wealth in a day or encounter events he never anticipated. In such a situation, those of weak faith will despair or feel rebellious. Forgetting all the blessings of Allah in an instant, they may even lose their love for and trust in Him. For sure, this is a serious moral distortion.

This is the value of true Muslims, for faith in Allah does not depend on particular circumstances. Aware that there is a Divine purpose and good in every event that Allah creates, believers merely persevere in the face of unexpected events and trust firmly in Allah's wisdom, compassion and justice. Whatever their loss, they do not consider it difficult and do not grieve over it.

Besides, in the Qur’an it is revealed that Muslims will experience unpredictable events throughout life and often face difficulties and carry on an intellectual struggle. While advocating truth and siding with the righteous, a Muslim will certainly encounter the opposition of those who would like to safeguard their own well-being and suppress the truth. There will always be those who consider the moral excellence to which Muslims summon people as a threat to their own interests and who thus are against the spread of Islam. These individuals, then, by their words and deeds, will want to prevent Muslims from living their religion and from calling on others to practice the morality of the Qur’an. Meanwhile, believers may sometimes experience loss of material wealth, have to risk their lives or abandon their homes. Yet all such seemingly adverse occasions will bring great reward, joy and glory in the Hereafter. For this reason, true Muslims accept all that happens to them.

As well as unexpected losses, people may also experience unexpected gains. Allah opens His infinite dominion to whomever He wills and grants them success, authority and power. But He warns Muslims against exulting in pride since any person receiving a great possession, authority or benefit becomes only a trustee, while it is Allah Who is the real possessor of everything. A person attains material wealth or comfort only because Allah wills it, and not because he has any power of his own. Aware of this fact, believers never forget their own weakness and do not become arrogant, even when they enjoy great blessings and wealth. They feel only a deep gratitude to Allah, and they strive to use their blessings for His cause in the best way possible.