Book Name:The Incident of the People of the Trench
According to narrations, the king faced the wrath of Allah Almighty because of his cruel oppression. Suddenly, the very fire which the king had lit to burn the believers burst forth from the trenches and burnt the tyrants to ashes.[1]
Lessons Derived from the Quranic Event
Dear Islamic brothers, we have been blessed with the opportunity to listen to this Quranic account, and we learn many profound lessons from it.
This event teaches us that tests and trials come upon the believers by the decree of Allah Almighty. The successful Muslim is the one who remains steadfast in these trials with patience and gratitude.
This is a great lesson. Many among us hold the thought — and at times even ask the question — that we are Muslims, we believe in Allah Almighty, we recite the Kalimah of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, we bow before Allah Almighty, and worship Him; yet despite all of this, we still face trials. Muslims across the world are facing poverty, hardship, and various kinds of difficulties. Meanwhile, the condition of the non-Muslims is far better than ours; they are wealthy, they enjoy prosperity, and they have everything they could ever ask for. Why is this so?
The answer is very simple. It is stated in a blessed Hadith:
اَلدُّنْیَا سِجْنُ الْمُؤْمِن وَ جَنَّۃُ الْکَافِر
“The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever.”[2]
Now reflect: what is found in a prison? Trials, restrictions, and hardships. Therefore, since we are Muslims, trials will inevitably come upon us in the world.
People Think being a Muslim Is Easy
Allah Almighty states in the Quran: