After Accepting Faith: Advice for new reverts
The Reality of Trials
O friend who has accepted the creed of Tawhid (the oneness of Allah) and surrendered to Him! First and foremost, welcome among us, and as a greeting, I welcome you with these verses:
"Who is better in religion than one who submits himself to Allah while striving to do good and follows the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth? And Allah took Abraham as an intimate friend." (Qur'an 4:125)
As you set out on this path, the first thing you need to know is that you will be tested… This is the nature of the path. Allah Azzawajal will test those who say, "We have believed," in order to distinguish the truthful from the liars:
"Do people think that they will be left alone because they say, 'We believe,' and will not be tested? We certainly tested those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars. (And through trials, He enables people to see this reality as well.)" (Qur'an 29:1-3)
Allah uses the word fitnah to describe the trials believers will undergo. Fitnah refers to the process of subjecting a metal to fire, purifying it by removing impurities, and revealing its pure form. Trials and afflictions are similar—they subject a person’s faith to fire, purifying it and bringing out its essence.
Faith, in its essence, separates truthfulness from falsehood, sincerity from hypocrisy, and genuine devotion from self-interest. Since those who walk this path are human beings, and since both sinfulness (fujur) and piety (taqwa) are intrinsic to human nature, every person will inevitably be tested until they are purified:
"Surely, We will test you with a bit of fear, hunger, and loss of wealth, lives, and fruits. But give glad tidings to those who patiently endure! Those who, when afflicted with a calamity, say: ‘Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.’ They are the ones upon whom are blessings and mercy from their Lord, and it is they who are rightly guided." (Qur'an 2:155-157)
"Indeed, you will be tested in your wealth and your lives, and you will surely hear much abuse from those who were given the Scripture before you and from the polytheists. But if you remain patient and conscious of Allah, indeed that is a matter requiring firm resolve." (Qur'an 3:186)
"Every soul will taste death. And We test you with both good and bad as a trial, and to Us you will be returned." (Qur'an 21:35)
"Surely, We will test you until We make evident those who strive in Our cause and those who are patient, and We will test your news (to reveal who is truly striving and who is not)." (Qur'an 47:31)
Allah speaks truthfully, clearly, and realistically. He does not deceive His servants. Right at the beginning of the path, He explains its nature. His aim is not to frighten people but to make them insightful, to show them what they will face.
When you read the verses carefully, you will notice something important. While these verses inform us of the trials ahead, they also tell us how to succeed. First and foremost, you must recognise that what you are facing is a test. This is crucial because the first step to passing a test is being aware that it is, in fact, a test.
This awareness leads you to the next step and prompts the question: Since this is a test, what stance or attitude does my Lord expect from me? The Qur'anic term for that stance is sabr (patience), and every test demands a different form of patience. So, in this specific trial, what does my patience look like?
This question is the key that unlocks the doors to goodness. From now on, you will read the Qur'an while seeking an answer to this question. When you pray, your tongue will seek the answer to this question. When consulting your experienced brothers and sisters, you will do so while searching for this answer.
#AdviceForReverts@kufrbittaghut1