Ponder and Reflect

Whenever a person faces ‪#‎hardship‬, it’s easy for him/her to give up and walk away from their challenges or complain and blame those around him/her. They fall into ‪#‎depression‬, feel sad about their situation and feel powerless. They don’t understand “why this is happening to them” or “what they did to deserve this”. But for a ProductiveMuslim, his/her way of thinking is completely different.

Whenever a ProductiveMuslim faces hardship, he/she takes a step back from their difficult situation and thinks about it from a higher level. They step back from their life with all its worries, anxieties, problems, and thinks about it from an Akhirah perspective, then they ask themselves the question: what does this ALL mean when compared to the Hereafter? What does this ALL mean when compared to eternity in Jannah?

Here are 7 practical steps to help you face any difficult situation:

1. Salah. Make sure you stick to praying on time – 5 times a day. Never miss a salah and do your best to pray each Salah with sincerity as if it’s your last salah in this world.

2. Read Quran. The Quran is so beautiful that no matter what difficulties you face you’ll find solace in it.

3. Make Dua. Especially the dua for removing anxiety [see Fortress of the Muslim, chapter 34].

4. Give Sadaqah. Give lots of charity, as much as you can, because it helps push away hardship. And if you can’t give money, even kind words or physical sadaqah can do (i.e. helping people physically or emotionally).

5. Set Goals and Have Vision. Don’t let shaytaan play with you and keep replaying the video of your hardship in your mind over and over again, move on! Set new goals, new projects, and remember you’re with Allah, nothing should stop you!

6. Wake up Early. Wake up before fajr and work on your ideas and projects, or simply read Qur’an. Getting busy before day break is a definite way to move away from your hardship and overcome challenges. Get most of your ideas/work done in these early hours, these are blessed hours.

7. Hardship is Not Lost. Remember, Allah will never forget the injustice/hardship you faced, so don’t worry about seeking revenge or trying to get justice.

In the end, I pray that Allah (Subḥānahū Wa Ta’ālā) removes all your ordeals and hardships, blesses you all with a good life and helps you remember Him day and night, for “Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest”. (Quran 13:28)