When Tragedy Strikes: Sabr and Shukr

Assalamualaikum and a very cheerful good morning to all!

Tragedy comes in many ways. Some creep slowly without us even realising it, others may hit us directly in the face. Some leave scars on our hearts, others may leave scars on our skins. Whatever it might be, may it serves as a reminder for us. A direct reminder from Allah S.W.T.

When tragedy strikes, be sabr (patient) and shukr (grateful), because a lot of people out there are facing much greater hardships than what we are facing and Allah knows what's best for his servants although we may dislike it or may even suffer from it. The previous post provides answers on how to handle frustration or stress in our lives (click here to view it). Therefore, always look on the bright side of things.

Sabr and Shukr
Words and melody by Zain Bhikha
Performed by Zain Bhikha
Album: Mountains of Makkah

Click on this image to view Zain Bhikha's official website.

There was so much on my mind in my bed I lay
I turned to my side and I heard a voice say
Stop all your whining, heart rates declining
You've got so much more than most
Look how you're sleeping, how much you've eaten
Don't you know that you're supposed to say

Chorus:
Sabr and Shukr are wonderful things
The praises to Allah we should always sing
when things go right it's from Him not me
And when they are wrong, we get through patiently

I got out of bed, began to walk
Bumped into some folks and we started to talk
Did you hear about the killing, the bloodshed the stealing
The grass got burned on the other side
Soldiers a coming, people a running
All that's left is the orphan child

Chorus
Bridge:
I opened my eyes and began to see
Everything that's happening around me
What seemed half empty now seems so full
There's no use crying over what's been spilled
While babies are dying, mothers are crying
Their containers have never even been filled

Chorus (Half)
Inn Allah ha, Ma As Saabireen

I opened my eyes, began to see
Everything that's happening around me

Chorus (Half)
Chorus (Full)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zain Bhikha is a singer and songwriter from South Africa. He is among those gifted by Allah S.W.T. with a very pleasing voice which he uses to entertain others and more importantly to introduce them to Islam. His purpose, he says, "Is to bring a deeper sense of self-realisation that we are not alone, and that each of us has a positive role that we can play towards serving ourselves, humanity and indeed all of creation."

Reminders to be patient (Sabr) and grateful (Shukr) in the Qur'an...

If it be His Will, He can still the Wind: then they would become motionless on the back of the (ocean). Verily in this are Signs for everyone who patiently perseveres and is grateful.
[Al-Shura (Consultation) 42:33]

See you not the ships sail through the Ocean by the grace of God? - that He may show you of His Signs? Verily in this are Signs for all who constantly persevere and give thanks.
[Luqman 31:31]

We sent Moses with Our Signs (and the command): "Bring out your people from the depth of darkness into light, and teach them to remember the Days of God." Verily in this are Signs for such as are firmly patient and constant - grateful and appreciative.
[Ibrahim (Abraham) 14:5]

...and how are we supposed to react when struck with tragedy.

Translation: [155] Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere, - [156] Who say, when afflicted with calamity: “To God we belong, and to Him is our return.”: - [157] They are those on whom (descend) blessings from God, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance.
[Al-Baqarah, 2:155-157]