PROBLEMS: A SOURCE OF SELF-DEVELOPMENT
Avail the Opportunities
EVERYONE faces different kinds of problems in life, be they rich or poor, learned or illiterate. According to the Quran, these problems are part of creation rather than an aspect of evil or form of suffering. The chapter Al-Balad (The City) of the Quran clearly states this fact:
We have created man into a life of toil and trial. (90: 4)
Why did God Almighty create problems or challenges? In the world of nature everything is beautiful and problem-free. The question then arises why were problems created for man to deal with? Why is man an exception to the rule of nature? What is the wisdom behind this scheme of creation?
This factor is a great blessing for man. It is meant to give man a special status that was not given to other creatures in this world. That is, he has been given the opportunity for self-development. Other creatures’ lives are pre-determined in every respect. They have no options of any kind. They are as they were created. But man has total freedom. Man can make his own choices.
In human life, troubles are like stepping-stones. Man was created with great intellectual potential, but this potential is in a dormant state. In such a situation, problems are challenges; they awaken our mind, activate our nature, and serve as an incentive to turn our potential into reality.
Glaciers melt, but they melt according to the laws of nature; rivers flow, but they flow according to the shape of the earth; stars and planets move, but their orbits are pre-determined by the law of nature; trees grow, but their growth is also pre-determined. However, the case of human beings is quite different. Every person is a self-made person. Certainly, they were born under the laws of nature, but after birth, the development of their personality lies in their own hands.
Man has the capacity to think for himself. He has the ability for selfplanning and self-development. He has the power to create his destiny by his own endeavours.
This freedom sometimes creates problems for man, but these problems are the price of his freedom. And then, as a condition of this freedom, man is expected to be responsible for his actions. Accountability is a strict requirement for the humankind.
Man can exercise his freedom but he cannot change the course of nature. Those who follow the course of nature meet with success, while those who deviate from it will suffer. This suffering is nothing but a consequence of one’s own wrong choice.
Now the question is, how should one face a problem? The answer is that one should follow divine guidance. Man is free, but he is free only as regards his own actions. He has no power to create a new world according to his own desires. So man must exercise his freedom within the framework of nature. He must understand divine guidance and must apply it to his own life. The rest of the world is also following this course, but is doing so under compulsion. It is only man who has been given the privilege of following divine guidance by his own choice. We have a good example from the Prophet’s life.
Man must exercise his freedom within the framework of nature. He must understand divine guidance and apply it to his own life. The rest of the world is following this course under compulsion. It is only man who has been given the privilege of following divine guidance by his own choice.
The Prophet of Islam started his mission in the first quarter of the seventh century in Arabia—an age of religious persecution. The Prophet’s mission was based on the oneness of God, while the people of that time were polytheists. So they became hostile to the Prophet and in consequence the Prophet and his Companions became victims of various kinds of problems.
It was obviously an unfavourable situation for the Prophet and his Companions. At this critical juncture, God revealed a meaningful piece of guidance which is recorded in chapter ninety four of the Quran. This divine guidance is as follows:
So, surely with every hardship there is ease; surely with every hardship there is ease. (94: 5-6)
In this Quranic verse the same phrase is repeated twice. From this repetition, the Prophet drew a very meaningful inference. That is, according to the law of nature, the situation of ease is double that of the situation of difficulty. So he formulated this principle: “Two situations of ease will surely prevail over one of difficulty.”
The fact is that in every situation there are problems, but at the same time there are opportunities. This is a law of nature. But it is also a law of nature that the quantum of opportunities will be more than the quantum of problems. This being so, the best course to adopt is to ignore the problems and divert one’s energy to availing of the opportunities.
Complaint or protest against problems is of no value. Problems are not created by some person: they are a part of the creation plan of God. No one has the power to change the course of nature. We have no option but to accept this natural course. The above Quranic formula is the only formula which is feasible to follow in our world.
So when you face a problem, don’t be negative. Be normal. Don’t be disturbed. Don’t allow tension to develop in your mind. Simply assess the situation and, by avoiding the problem, try to discover the opportunities. Believe with complete conviction that there are enormous opportunities waiting for you—either hidden or open. So, set about discovering them, using all your mental powers and energy. In such a situation, lodging complaints and making protests are nothing but a waste of time. Developing anxiety is only the result of your own failure to understand the law of nature. So, be a realist and ensure your success.
All difficult situations have their problems, but at the same time there are always certain opportunities in-built in these situations. If you start your task by harping on your problems or obstacles, then it is like putting the cart before the horse. In this world there is only one starting point, and that is based on opportunities and certainly not on problems. Leaving the problem pending is not inaction. It is, in fact, based on deep wisdom. By adopting this method you can save yourself from futile confrontation and can devote all your energy to achieving your goals.
In every situation there are problems, but at the same time there are opportunities. This is a law of nature. But it is also a law of nature that the quantum of opportunities will be more than the quantum of problems.
Choosing to start with a problem is an act of emotional reaction, while launching out from the basis of opportunities shows great wisdom. It means: Start from what is possible today and you will attain, by tomorrow, what is apparently impossible. This principle is based on practical wisdom, and practical wisdom is the only workable principle in this world.