The life of servitude and submission necessities the succumbence of the servant to their Creator’s trials and tribulation upon them.

“Do the people think that they will be left to say, “We believe” and they will not be tried? But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident those who are false.” [Al-‘Ankabut: 2-3]

Prophets were not spared from this reality of worship. This notion was reiterated by the best of humanity himself, out prophet ﷺ said, “The people who face the most difficult tests are the prophets, then the righteous, then those following them in degree. A person is tried according to his religion. So if there is firmness in his religion, then the trial is increased, and if there is a weakness, then it is lightened. Verily a trial remains with a servant until he walks the earth having no sin left upon him.” [al-Bukhari]

Muhammad’s ﷺ entire history became the centre stage where the tests he faced were the main highlight. Allah deliberately designed the seerah of the Prophet ﷺ around the challenges and tests he faced. His struggles became a blueprint for his nation, to reflect upon the actions of our beloved Prophet and how he navigates through his  calamities and came out victorious and successful.

‘The Prophet of Mercy: A Reading’ is a weekly reading of Omar Suleiman & Mohammad Elshinawy’s brilliant book that provides examples of difficult situations from the life of the Prophet and the wisdom with which he faced each and every struggle.