As for those who struggle in Our cause, We will surely guide them along Our way. And ALLAH is certainly with the good-doers. {Holy Qur’an / 29:69} Narrated Aishah (RadhiyALLAHU Anha); The Prophet (SalaLLAHU Alayhi Wa Sallam) would stand (in prayer) so long that the skin of his feet would crack. I asked him , “Why do you do this while your past and future sins have been forgiven?” He said, “Should I not be a grateful slave of ALLAH?” In the life of a Muslim, there are two types of challenges to be faced. Either difficulty, or the effects of self-sacrifice. Facing difficulty is a condition placed upon us by ALLAH, which could be the result of bad choices we made, that we may take heed. Alternatively, difficulties we face may be for the purpose of growth, masking the good which ALLAH has in store for us. Wa Qadri khayrihi, wa shar-ri minal-LAHA. All conditions are from ALLAH. Narrated Abu Hurairah (RadhiyALLAHU Anhu) ; ALLAH’S Messenger (SalaLLAHU Alayhi Wa Sallam) said, “Anyone for whom ALLAH intends good, He makes him suffer from some affliction.” [Al-Bukhari] Whilst difficulties may be conditions placed upon us by ALLAH, for reasons best known to Him, personal sacrifice is a consciously calculated decision we make, most productive if it is for the purpose of gaining nearness the ALLAH. The pinnacle of personal sacrifice is found in the spiritual state of Zuhd, which is an internal spiritual state, whereby a believer becomes spiritually detached from the world, prioritizing the Aakhirah over material, worldly pursuits. Not everyone gets to copiously drink of the sweet waters from the fountain of Zuhd, purely due to the fact that most of us lack the capacity to engage in long term, sustainable personal sacrifice, for the pleasure of ALLAH. However as an act of kindness and mercy, by commanding us to perform five obligatory prayers, daily, as well as fasting in the blessed month of Ramadaan, through these acts of sacrifice , we too get to taste of the sweetness from the fountain of the Zaahideen. It is for this reason that, after having performed Salaah, upon returning from the Masjid on Jummah, and at the time of breaking fast, we feel a certain airy goodness which reaches deep into the soul. As for the difficulties we may go through, with trust in ALLAH, we should make shukr that we are only “going through a difficulty”, and will not remain stuck in that difficulty. In a hadeeth we are exhorted to live in this world like strangers or travelers [Sahih Al-Bukhari]. Treating this world like a destination has brought about the mindset that things of this world, including difficulties, are lasting, in spite of ALLAH’S affirmed promise in the Holy Qur’an. “Surely with hardship comes ease”. {94 : 5} In spite of difficulties you may face, when you intend good, “Hasten to perform good deeds…” [Sahih Muslim 118], no matter how insignificant it may seem. Do not let shaytaan dissuade you from any good you intend doing. With every little contribution of good you make in the cause of ALLAH, seeking ALLAH’S pleasure, you will get to drink from the sweet, spiritually cleansing fountain of Zuhd. In-sha-ALLAH. I C AN (11 Shabaan 1447 / 31 January 2026)