Exams, Tests, Assignments, Reports

So much work at hand? Is the world unfair? Have you put in so much effort into something and not received what you wanted? Are you down with a test? Stressed out? Do you feel like giving up?

May these words from Allah inspire you the same way it has inspired me.

Why am I tested?

"Do men think that they will be left alone on saying "We believe" and that they will not be tested? We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false."

"Do men imagine that they will be left (at ease) because they say, We believe, and will not be tested with affliction? Lo! We tested those who were before them. Thus Allah knoweth those who are sincere, and knoweth those who feign."

[Al-Ankabut : 002-003]


Why don't I get what I want?

"..But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth and ye know not."

"..but it may happen that ye hate a thing which is good for you, and it may happen that ye love a thing which is bad for you. Allah knoweth, ye know not."

[Al-Baqarah : 216]


Why is this test so difficult?

"On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear.."

"Allah tasketh not a soul beyond its scope.."

[Al-Baqarah : 286]


Why am I so frustrated with myself?

"So lose not heart, nor fall into despair: for ye must gain mastery if ye are true in Faith."

"Faint not nor grieve, for ye will overcome them if ye are (indeed) believers."

[Ali-Imran : 139]


How should I face them?

"O ye who believe! persevere in patience and constancy: vie in such perseverance; strengthen each other; and fear Allah; that ye may prosper."

"O ye who believe! Endure, outdo all others in endurance, be ready, and observe your duty to Allah, in order that ye may succeed."

[Ali-Imran : 200]


What should I do?

"Nay seek (Allah's) help with patient perseverance and prayer: it is indeed hard, except to those who are humble."

"Seek help in patience and prayer; and truly it is hard save for the humble-minded"

[Al-Baqarah : 045]


What do I get out of all this?

"Allah hath purchased of the Believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the Garden (of Paradise).."

"Lo! Allah hath bought from the believers their lives and their wealth because the Garden will be theirs.."

[At-Taubah : 111]


Who should I seek help from?

"say: Allah sufficeth me: There is not god but He: On Him is my trust - He the Lord of the Throne (of Glory) Supreme!"

"..say: Allah sufficeth me. There is no God save Him. In Him have I put my trust, and He is Lord of the Tremendous Throne."

[At-Taubah : 129]


I cannot stand it anymore!

"..and never give up hope of Allah's Soothing Mercy: truly no one despairs of Allah's Soothing Mercy, except those who have no faith."

"..and despair not of the Spirit of Allah. Lo! none despaireth of the Spirit of Allah save disbelieving folk."

[Yusuf : 087]

Thank you Sister Yusmahanim for sharing this with me. Original text translated from Malay. Quran translations from Abdullah Yusuf Ali and Pickthall respectively.