without Allah thereby expiating his sins and causing them to fall away from him just as a tree drops its leaves.” (Agreed upon.)

The term al-waʿk refers to the throbbing ache that accompanies fever; some scholars say it denotes the fever itself.

Explanation

These two hadiths—the narrations of Abu Saʿīd and Abu Hurayrah, and of Ibn Masʿūd (may Allah be pleased with them all)—show that whatever befalls a person of worry, exhaustion, grief, and the like serves to atone for his sins and erase his misdeeds. This is one of Allah’s favors: He tries His servant with calamities, and those very calamities expiate the servant’s sins and wipe them away.

A human being in this world can never remain happy all the time. One day he rejoices and another day he grieves; on one day he receives something and on another day he does not. He meets afflictions in his own self and in his body, in his society and in his family; the calamities that strike a person are beyond count. Yet for the believer every situation is good: if hardship touches him, he is patient and that is better for him; and if prosperity comes to him, he is grateful and that is better for him as well.

Therefore, when you are tried by a calamity, do not think that the worry or pain you feel—even if it is no more than a thorn—is wasted. Rather, you will be compensated with something better: your sins will be shed from you just as a tree sheds its leaves. This is a blessing from Allah.

And if, in addition to patience, a person adds the intention of seeking reward—that is, anticipating reward from Allah