Allah, the Wise, has said:
And as for man, when his Lord tries him, then treats him with honor and makes him lead an easy life, he says: My Lord has honoured me.
[Holy Qur'an, surah Al-Fajr (89), ayat 15]
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) has said:
Surely, misfortune for an oppressor is a (corrective) chastisement and for a Mu'min, a trial.
[Jaame' al-Akhbaar, pg. 113]
Short Explanation
For someone possessing intellect, misfortunes are a means of ornamentation and esteem. Exercising forbearance when faced with misfortune and being steadfast during trials, strengthens one's faith.
One who bears hardship with patience, shall acquire the Grace of Allah and, as dictated by the Divine Wisdom, shall attain salvation and comfort, either in this world or in the hereafter.
From within the flames of misfortune and calamity, emerge the esoteric lights. A person who regards misfortune and calamity as a trial, and combats it successfully, will become that much wiser as a result of the extra knowledge and perception acquired. It is not good practice to constantly complain of worldly misfortunes like poverty, illness, family problems, and so on.
It has been reported that once Jibraeel (peace be upon him) approached Prophet Sulaiman (a.s.), bringing with him a bowl containing the Water of Life and said to him: Your Lord has given you the choice that if you so choose, you can drink this water and remain alive till the Day of Judgment.
Sulaiman (a.s.) placing this issue before a group of men, jinn and animals, consulted them and all of them recommended him to consume the water so that he could become eternal.
Sulaiman (a.s.), after some reflection realized that he had not conferred with the porcupine and so sent a horse to call him, but the porcupine did not arrive. He then sent a dog after him, whereupon he arrived immediately!
Sulaiman (a.s.) said to him, "Before I confer with you about my issue, I would like to know why, when I sent the horse, the most honorable of all animals after man, you did not arrive, but when I sent the dog, the most vile of all the animals, you presented yourself immediately?"
The porcupine replied, "The horse, in spite of being an honorable animal, does not possess loyalty, whereas the dog, despite being the most despicable, possesses it; if it receives a loaf of bread from someone, it would remain loyal to him all throughout its life."
Sulaiman (a.s.) then said, "A bowl containing the Water of Life has been sent to me and I have been given the choice of either accepting it or refusing it. All the others have advised me to drink it in order that I become eternal."
The porcupine said, "Is this Water of Life only for you or are your children, family and friends permitted to consume it too?"
He said, "No! It is solely for me."
The porcupine then advised, "It is advisable that you do not accept it, for when you acquire a long life, all your children, relatives and friends shall depart before you, every passing day bringing you face to face with misfortune and sorrow thereby making your life miserable for you. Sulaiman (a.s.) approved of this advice and heeding it, returned the Water of Life.
- Anecdotes for reflection, Vol 1, Misfortune, Anecdote 5
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