Al-Irshad ila Sahih al-Itiqad - Salih Al-Fawzan - (302)

Al-Irshad ila Sahih al-ItiqadSalih Al-Fawzan

and to remain connected to Allah in both situations.
Ikrimah, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “There is no one who does not experience joy and sorrow, but turn joy into gratitude and sorrow into patience.”
This, however, does not mean that a person abandons the means that protect him from harm and secure benefit, relying solely on the decree and predestination as some ignorant people imagine. That is a grave mistake and a sign of ignorance, for Allah has commanded us to take the proper means and forbidden us to be lazy or negligent. Yet if we do employ the means and the opposite of what we sought occurs, we must not panic, for this is the decree that was written; had Allah willed otherwise, it would have been otherwise.
For that reason the Prophet ﷺ said: “Be keen on what benefits you, seek the help of Allah, and do not despair. If something befalls you, do not say, ‘Had I done such-and-such, it would have been such-and-such.’ Rather say, ‘This is the decree of Allah, and He does whatever He wills,’ for the word ‘if’ opens the door to Satan.” Reported by Muslim.
At the same time the servant must hold himself to account and correct his mistakes, for nothing afflicts him except because of his sins. Allah the Exalted says: “Whatever calamity befalls you is because of what your own hands have earned.” 1
Among the fruits of believing in qadaʾ and qadar is firmness when facing crises—meeting life’s hardships with a steady heart and genuine certainty that is not shaken by events nor toppled by tempests. Such a believer knows that this life is a realm of trial, testing, and constant change. Allah says: “He who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deeds.” 2 And He says: “We shall surely test you until We make known those among you who strive and those who are steadfast, and We shall test your affairs.” 3
How many ordeals and hardships befell the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his Companions! Yet they confronted them with sincere faith and unwavering resolve until they passed through them with brilliant success, and what

(1) Surah Ash-Shura, verse 30. (2) Surah Al-Mulk, verse 2. (3) Surah Muhammad, verse 31.

ونكون مرتبطين بالله في الحالتين. قال عكرمة ﵀: "ليس أحد إلا وهو يفرح ويحزن، ولكن اجعلوا الفرح شكرًا والحزن صبراً". وليس معنى هذا أن العبد لا يتخذ الأسباب الواقية من الشر والجالبة للخير، وإنما يتكل على القضاء والقدر؛ كما يظن بعض الجهال، هذا من أكبر الغلط والجهل؛ فإن الله أمرنا باتخاذ الأسباب، ونهانا عن التكاسل والإهمال، ولكن إذا اتخذنا السبب، وحصل لنا عكس المطلوب؛ فعلينا أن لا نجزع؛ لأن هذا هو القضاء المقدر، ولو قدر غيره؛ لكان. ولهذا يقول النبي ﷺ:"احرص على ما ينفعك، واستعن بالله، ولا تجزعن، وإن أصابك شيء؛ فلا تقل: لو أني فعلت كذا؛ لكان كذا وكذا، ولكن قل: قدر الله وما شاء فعل؛ فإن لو تفتح عمل الشيطان" رواه مسلم. وعلى العبد مع هذا أن يحاسب نفسه ويصحح أخطاءه؛ فإنه لا يصيبه شيء إلا بسبب ذنوبه؛ قال تعالى: ﴿وَمَا أَصَابَكُمْ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ﴾ ١. ومن ثمرات الإيمان بالقضاء والقدر الثبات عند مواجهة الأزمات، واستقبال مشاق الحياة بقلب ثابت ويقين صادق لا تزلزله الأحداث ولا تهزه الأعاصير؛ لأنه يعلم أن هذه الحياة دار ابتلاء وامتحان وتقلب؛ كما قال تعالى: ﴿الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلاً﴾ ٢، وقال تعالى: ﴿وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ حَتَّى نَعْلَمَ الْمُجَاهِدِينَ مِنْكُمْ وَالصَّابِرِينَ وَنَبْلُوَ أَخْبَارَكُمْ﴾ ٣. كم جرى على رسول الله ﷺ وعلى صاحبته من المحن والشدائد، لكنهم واجهوها بالإيمان الصادق والعزم الثابت، حتى اجتازوها بنجاح باهر، وما

١ سورة الشورى، الآية: ٣٠. ٢ سورة الملك، الآية: ٢. ٣ سورة محمد، الآية: ٣١.