Kindness in Tests

[29:2] Do the people think that they will be left to say, “We believe,” without being put to the test? 

As students of the Quran we are very aware of this subject called “Tests”. God says He will surely test us, so this is one of the subjects everyone can connect with whenever there is a discussion about it. 

There are a lot of articles on tests and the experiences people share with each other about how they overcame their test. Similarly, I too had to go through a test but I am not going to talk about what kind of test it was and how smartly I handled it. Because it was not about me; it was about my believing family who showed great love towards me in that entire test process of mine. It’s about them. 

The philosopher Shams Tabriz said : “The universe is a complete unique entity. Everything and everyone is bound together with some invisible strings. Do not break anyone’s heart; do not look down on weaker than you. …”

So when everything and everyone is connected in some way or the other,

 that means when one is being tested by God it’s not just a test for him/her it’s also a test for people around him – his family, his friends and the community in how they are going to treat this person. Will they be hurting him? Will they remind him of what he should or should not have done? Will they show love, kindness, hope, support and all things they can offer to ease his test? 

A few believers set a great example for me and taught me about loving, caring and understanding their fellow believers while they are going through their Test. For me in my test, when I felt helpless God made sure one was there to support me. When I felt lonely another was there to give me company. When I was depressed, God sent my family to take care of me making sure I had food on time. When I felt like I had no future ahead, a friend enrolled me into this great institute so I could make a good career and focus on something I like, rather than continue to be stuck in the same place. Thank You God. 

“The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.” ~Paulo Coelho 

Or to put it in a Quranic perspective, this is what Abraham prayed for in 26:84

“Let the example I set for the future generations be a good one.”

The example these believers set for me helped me realize that no matter how many times I read the Quran, observed Salat, memorized Quranic verses, delivered apparently impressive sermons and Quran studies, or how quickly I could calculate the 19 code, it could be lost if I forgot to live by the Quran and instead repelled others from the path of God (16:94). So, if I wanted to make a difference in my life and help others in their spiritual journey, I needed God’s help to have kindness, compassion and love in my heart for my believing family. Like how stars add beauty in the sky, flowers to the garden, children to our homes (Maa sha Allah), similarly a believing heart which carries God’s love in it can remind people of the beauty of God’s creation. Wherever they go, such kind and humble people carry the Quran in their heart. And their actions speak louder than the words one could quote from the verses of Quran. 

We sometimes think that helping others means we need to have a lot of

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