Tests & Trials; Delayed Gratification
I remember watching a movie as a child, and it spoke about how we can always strive to attain things such as happiness, but contentment is the best we can hope to achieve.
Looking back now, it seems like a truly important concept to grasp. Islam teaches that humans were created in hardship and toil, destined to struggle and labour. In the Qur’an, Allah SWT says:
لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ فِى كَبَدٍ
Certainly, We have created the human being into (a life of constant) struggle.
This verse reminds us that hardship is woven into the fabric of life. To fulfil our purpose in this world, we must endure difficulty. True rest is reserved for the hereafter. From the beginning, we face challenges—being born through intense labour, navigating the struggles of crawling, walking, and teething as a toddler, and enduring the confusion of adolescence with its inevitable blunders.
Adulthood then arrives with its own trials: striving to build careers, raising families, and saving for a retirement that often feels far away. Looking back at life's trajectory, the verse above becomes crystal clear. However, those who dedicate themselves to meaningful, lasting causes find contentment amidst the struggle.
While life guarantees struggle, it also offers immense opportunities for growth and fulfilment. Islam teaches us that hardship is not without purpose—it’s a test that builds resilience and draws us closer to Allah. This is beautifully captured in another verse of the Qur’an:
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure—
This verse has stayed with me throughout my life. It has formed the basis of many khutbahs I’ve delivered and has been a source of personal reflection. It’s a promise: trials will come in various forms—loss, fear, hunger, or difficulty. These challenges are inevitable. Yet, the verse that follows offers us hope:
ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَـٰبَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌۭ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيْهِ رَٰجِعُونَ
“Who say, when struck by a disaster, ’Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we will return.’”
This verse serves as a reminder of life’s ultimate purpose. Everything we endure is part of our journey back to Allah. When we persevere through challenges with patience and faith, we grow stronger and prepare for a joyous return to the hereafter.
The Qur’an’s message about enduring trials is deeply connected to the modern concept of delayed gratification. Islam encourages us to endure hardships now for the promise of eternal reward later. Similarly, delayed gratification teaches us to make sacrifices in the short term for long-term benefits.
Whether we realise it or not, we all experience delayed gratification in our lives. A student spends years studying, enduring sleepless nights and high-pressure exams, for the goal of graduation and a fulfilling career. Parents sacrifice their time and energy to ensure their children grow happy and healthy. Even something as simple as committing to regular exercise reflects this principle: short-term effort for long-term health and strength.
These examples remind us that our struggles are never in vain. Each bump, bruise, and challenge brings us closer to personal growth and spiritual fulfilment. They allow us to see the reward that follows perseverance.
I often found peace during my most difficult days, knowing that the struggle would eventually pay off. Those gruelling all-nighters paid off when I managed an entire department successfully. The stressful days of GCSEs and A-Levels—subjects I once thought I “didn’t need”—helped me later as I taught those very topics to others. The challenges felt overwhelming at the time, but in hindsight, I’m deeply grateful for them. Each hardship shaped who I am today.
Even now, when life feels daunting, I remind myself that the effort I put in today will yield results tomorrow. This perspective, rooted in faith and experience, helps me push forward with patience and determination.
To conclude, there’s a story of a king who asked one of his ministers, “Inscribe upon a ring a message which, if I looked upon it when I am upset, would ease my sorrow; and if I looked upon it when I’m joyous, it would temper me and prevent me from being overjoyed.” The minister returned with a ring inscribed: “This moment shall pass.”
No matter how difficult or joyous the moment, it is fleeting. When times are tough, the promise that this moment will pass can bring immense comfort. And when times are good, it reminds us to remain grounded and grateful.
Life will always have challenges, but how we respond to them defines who we are. Each trial is an opportunity for growth and an invitation to reconnect with Allah’s plan. Embrace the struggles, trust in the process, and know that even the hardest moments will pass, leaving behind lessons and strength you’ll carry forever.
By aligning our efforts with patience and faith, we can transform life’s inevitable hardships into stepping stones toward fulfilment and eternal reward. Let’s strive for happiness and true contentment—a state of peace that comes from knowing our struggles have meaning.