"Verily, with hardship there is ease"
I think I understand this now...
We’re all familiar with this ayah:
"And Allah will being forth after hardship, ease.”
[Surah Al-Talaq, 65:7]
Allah ﷻ is consoling His slaves and promising us that the tough times are temporary, and that they will be followed by times of ease, including, insha-Allah, ultimate ease in the afterlife.
It reminds me of the famous story of the Persian king who asked his sages to create something that would make him joyful when he was sad, and sad when he became overly joyful. So they forged a ring for the king, inscribed with the famous phrase, "This too shall pass."
Difficult times will come, but they will pass. Our job is to recognise the tests for what they are - and to patiently persevere.
But I'd always had a question in my mind about the subtle, but undoubtedly profound, difference between the aforementioned ayah and the following:
“So indeed, with hardship there is ease.
Indeed, with hardship there is ease.”
[Surah Al-Sharh, 94:5-6]
In the ayah from Surah Al-Talaq, Allah ﷻ is promising us ease after hardship, but in the repeated ayah in Surah Al-Sharh, He ﷻ is telling us that there are multiple eases/comforts with every hardship.
Although I’d heard some commentary on this distinction before, I don’t think I’d truly internalised it until recently.
If you’ve been following this blog, you’ll be aware that I’ve been trying to relocate to the UAE, but it hasn’t been going smoothly.
I’d planned to return to the UK for a week or so for Eid al-Fitr, but following the rejection of my visa application, I returned early to regroup and was able to spend Ramadan, Eid and a couple of extra weeks with my family (including a lovely staycation in Somerset), alhamdulillah.
It was whilst I was sitting on the sofa in my mother-in-law’s house, surrounded by my family, with my youngest daughter’s head on my chest, that it hit me: “Verily, with hardship there is ease.”
Sure, things might not be going to plan with my relocation, but that same difficulty had brought about this moment - and so many other blessings I was enjoying at the time. Being away, even for a relatively short period, had given me a newfound appreciation for the blessings I had previously taken for granted. “You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone”, as the saying goes.
I arrived back in the UAE a couple of days ago, as I attempt to set up a new business in Dubai and reapply for a residency visa.
I have no idea if the application will be successful, but it doesn't really matter…
Because whatever difficulties may arise will be accompanied by ease and comforts, and will also be followed by times of ease, if Allah ﷻ wills.
So, the only appropriate response, whatever happens, is: all praise and thanks belong to Allah alone (alhamdulillah).
I should find out this week where I stand regarding the visa, insha-Allah. I’ll keep you posted, insha-Allah.
Until then, the message from me and my handsome alpaca friend, Ozzy (from Somerset), is simple: whatever difficulties you are going through, keep smiling, because your Lord is Allah ﷻ and He never fails in His promise. :)
