Choosing your lowest “low(s)” pre-trial…
My Ustadha asked me to translate Qur’an 94 verse 5 “Fa inna ma’al usri yusra”, I replied, “Indeed, a̶f̶t̶e̶r̶ hardship comes ease”, she swiftly corrected me…“the verse is not “Fa inna ba’adil usri yusra”, but “Fa inna ma’al usri yusra” (In Quranic arabic “ma’a” means “with”, “ba’ad” means “after”). In Tafsir ibn Kathir, this verse is explained as thus, “Whatever troubles are encountered by the creation, Allah always provides a relief with it. The relief does not merely come ̶a̶f̶t̶e̶r̶ the difficulty; it is provided ***with *** it.”
It is very hard to seek relief in the midst of trials. During that time, most of us have very low iman and we begin to question the beliefs we thought were unshakable. Having been through trials that brought me to the brink of defeat, I know it’s really hard to cry one’s heart out in despair while maintaining an unwavering iman. This is why I resonate so much with the concept of “choosing one’s lowest low(s) pre-trial.”
I stumbled upon this term some months ago and I find it very relevant! “Choosing your lowest low(s) pre-trial” means, “Pre-trial, you deliberate on the lowest low(s) you never want to reach in your deen in the midst of a trial.”Subhanallah…
The sister explained that different people will have different “low(s)”. For some people, it’s their salah. Regardless of how hot their test is, they never want to let go of their prayers. For some sisters, it’s their hijab. In the heat of a trial, they don’t ever want to remove their hijab. For some, it’s their morning and evening adhkar, for others, it’s their Monday and Thursday fasts…and it goes on and on.
Why is it important to think of this before our trial period comes?! When we are being tested, we are likely to carry out decisions based on our emotional state. This can lead us to making decisions we might not have made otherwise if we had a “boundary” in place……our lowest “low(s)”.
A great analogy is preparing for a disaster you have not seen, you don’t know when it’s coming, but you know it is inevitable… Hence, you prepare and get your emergency pack ready and then make du’a. Should the disaster happen, you will be at a better position to manage the situation by the will of Allah.. I pray almighty Allah grants us ease and comfort in our trials and tribulations…Salam…💛🧡💛
