When dealing with difficulties remember:

• Have patience
  


• The path of adherence (to Islam) is not easy, but it is the path of the Prophets.
  


• “Paradise is surrounded with difficulties and Hell is surrounded with desires.” ~{Hadith Muslim}
  


• The Prophets (peace be upon them) were faced with difficulties from their people and from the closest of people to them, but the reward for their patience was that Allaah caused them ultimately to prevail.
  
  Source:
  Islamqa, Fatwa no. 9380

Shipwrecked

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island.

He prayed feverishly for Allah to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store his few possessions.

But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.

"Allah, how could you do this to me!" he cried. Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.

"How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

It is easy to get discouraged when things are going badly. But we shouldn't lose heart, because Allah is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.

Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground--it just may be a smoke signal that summons The Grace of Allah.


"When my servants ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them ), I am indeed near (to them by Knowledge); I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me. So let them obey Me and believe in Me; that they may be led aright."
~{Al-Baqarah 2:186}



Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said,

"Allah said, 'I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshiper of Mine. And the most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (praying or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him, so I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My protection (Refuge), I will protect him; (i.e. give him My Refuge) and I do not hesitate to do anything as I hesitate to take the soul of the believer, for he hates death, and I hate to disappoint him."
~{Hadith Bukhari}

Life is Like Baking a Cake

Yahya is telling his Grandma how "everything" is going wrong. School, family problems, health problems, problems with friends, etc.

Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks Yahya if he would like a snack, which of course, he does.

"Here, have some cooking oil." *"Yuck" says Yahya.
"How about a couple raw eggs? " "Gross, Grandma!"
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"

"Grandma, those are all yucky!"

To which Grandma replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!

Allah works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times.

But Allah knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!" Then Grandma said, “This reminds me of a verse from the Qur'an, Allah says,

“...it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.”
~{Al-Baqara, 2:216}

More Precious Than Diamonds

The following incident took place when Muhammad Ali's daughters arrived at his home wearing clothes that were not modest. Here is the story as told by one of his daughters:

When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father's suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.

My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Hana,

...everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You've got to work hard to get to them."

He looked at me with serious eyes.

"Your body is sacred. You're far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too."


SOURCE:
More Than A Hero: Muhammad Ali's Life Lessons Presented Through His Daughter's Eyes
By Hana Ali

A Sign of Excellence in Islam

“A sign of one’s excellence in his Islam, is ignoring what does not concern him.”
Related by Ahmad, Malik & At-Tirmithi


Benefits from the Hadith

1 -- This Hadith encourages Muslims to use the time in a manner that brings about their benefit in this life and in the Hereafter.

2 -- Muslims should always be concerned with what is beneficial and constructive, and should avoid what does not bring about benefit and what does not preserve the honor.

3 -- This Hadith also encourages Muslims to strive hard to discipline their behavior, and to reject and abandon sins, dishonor and what brings about disrespect.

4 -- This Hadith also ordains avoiding interfering with other people’s affairs, for unwarranted interference with other people’s business causes divisions and hatred among Muslims.


SOURCE:
http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=384