Tanzeel Khurram, Student, Jamia Ahmadiyya UK
When people face difficulties in life, they often don’t know where to turn. Their heart becomes heavy and hopelessness sets in.
Hazrat Hakeem Noor-ud-Deenra, the first Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, once presented three Islamic remedies a believer can use to find relief and strength during times of hardship. (Irshadat-e-Nur, Vol. 2, p. 419)
The first cure: Remain engaged in the remembrance of Allah
Huzoorra said the first cure was to always remember Allah in every condition, moment and state.
While advising the Jamaat to remember God in every situation, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira once said:
“Whether you go to work or to the marketplace, whether you are standing, sitting, or lying down; whether you are travelling or at home, in health or in illness – in short, in every state, remember your God.” (Irshadat-e-Nur, Vol. 2, p. 497)
Describing some forms of zikr-e-ilahi (remembrance of Allah), Huzoorra once said:
“A believer finds peace and comfort in the remembrance of Allah. The phrases ‘La ilaha illallah’ [There is no god but Allah], ‘Alhamdulillah’ [All praise belongs to Allah], and ‘Astaghfirullah’ [I seek Allah’s forgiveness] – are all forms of the remembrance of Allah.” (Irshadat-e-Nur, Vol. 2, p. 377)
He advised that one should engage in the remembrance of Allah during times of leisure too:
“When you are free from your official or daily duties, do not waste your time in idle discussions that bring no benefit to your worldly life or your faith. Instead, turn your heart towards God. Recite ‘La ilaha illallah’ [There is no god but Allah], send durood (blessings) upon the Holy Prophetsa, do istighfar a lot [seek Allah’s forgiveness often], recite ‘Alhamdulillah’ [All praise belongs to Allah], and read the Holy Quran.” (Irshadat-e-Nur, Vol. 2, p. 386)
Urging members of the Jamaat to especially remember Allah at night to ease hardships, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira said:
“If at night you remember God, your soul will draw closer to Him. When a believer turns even slightly toward God, every hardship becomes easy. Take a moment to focus your attention on Him, and all difficulties will become light.
وَاذۡکُرِ اسۡمَ رَبِّکَ وَتَبَتَّلۡ اِلَیۡہِ تَبۡتِیۡلًا
[“So remember the name of thy Lord, and devote thyself to Him with full devotion.” (Surah al-Muzzammil, Ch.73: V.9)]
“Remember Allah’s name, and in the quiet of the night, detach yourself from the world.” (Khutbat-e-Nur, p. 527)
The second cure: Read the Holy Quran often
The second cure Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira prescribed for difficult times was to “read the Holy Quran often.” He presented the following verse to explain this point:
وَٱتۡلُ مَآ أُوحِيَ إِلَيۡكَ مِن كِتَابِ رَبِّكَ
“And recite what has been revealed to thee of the Book of thy Lord.” (Surah al-Kahf, Ch.18: V.28)
Once, during a sermon, Huzoorra said:
“Listen – I will tell you about the armour that the Holy Prophetsa described, the armour that protects us in every hardship and sorrow. That armour is Islam. Yes, it is here in my hands – it is the Holy Quran. I believe with absolute conviction and complete satisfaction that no other book can ever equal it.” (Khutbat-e-Nur, p. 381)
Discussing how a lack of peace led to the suicides of learned Western scholars and emphasising the importance of the Quran for inner contentment, Huzoorra once said:
“What is the reason behind the suicides of Europe’s most learned philosophers? It is simply this: they could never find inner peace or tranquillity, because they had no faith in God – that very faith which, in times of pain and suffering, becomes a sweet and comforting companion.
“Remember this well: the faith and certainty brought by the Holy Quran are the true nourishment and sustenance of human nature. No nation, no religion, no creed, and no book possesses that delightful faith which, in moments of sorrow and hardship, brings to the human heart the soothing voice of God; a voice that grants comfort and reassurance.
“Just as a patient feels relief when a doctor tells him, ‘Do not worry, your illness is leaving you, you are getting better,’ so too – and far more sweetly – does God’s voice reach the ears of the believer, bringing them peace beyond measure.” (Khutbat-e-Nur, p. 43)
He further said:
“Nothing in this world surpasses the Holy Quran in light, healing, mercy, grace, and guidance – nor is there any collection of truer words than the Quran itself.” (Khutbat-e-Nur, p. 45)
On another occasion, Huzoorra said that if he ever felt physically weak, he would recite the Quran:
“The Holy Quran is my nourishment. When I feel extremely weak, I begin to recite the Holy Quran, and as I read it, strength returns to me.” (Irshadat-e-Nur, Vol. 2, p. 402)
And so, Huzoorra constantly urged the Jamaat to hold fast to the Holy Quran and to recite it often, as it would remain a constant companion in times of difficulty.
The third cure: Remain in the company of the righteous
The third cure Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira mentioned was to “remain in the company of pure and righteous people.”
He said:
“To remain in the company of pure and righteous people is highly beneficial. From the verse ‘And keep thyself attached to those who call on their Lord’ [Surah al-Kahf, Ch.18: V.29], we learn this lesson. Along with it, it is also necessary to keep away from the company and association of the heedless. A heedless person is one who does not remember Allah and runs after low desires.” (Irshadat-e-Nur, Vol. 2, p. 419)
In today’s age, this guidance clearly points to the importance of remaining firmly attached to the rope of Khilafat and avoiding company that weakens our faith or draws us toward worldly and materialistic pursuits. True spiritual companionship keeps the heart alive and connected to God.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira gave these three simple but powerful cures for every kind of hardship: to remember Allah often, to read the Holy Quran regularly, and to keep the company of good and righteous people.
Through these steps, a Muslim learns that ease and comfort do not come from the world, but from turning back to God.