Don't Compare Your Problems With That of Others

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

It is very easy to inform others to have patience during trials, calamities, and hardships, but only the one going through it knows the pain that he is suffering, yet all we can do is to encourage him to have patience at his loss or suffering.

Yet we say to everyone, do not rush the things, for even you have your share of happiness and joy, and what has been written for you will come to pass.

The life story of every individual differs from that of the others. This chapter in your life that you are living right now is different than what others are living. So, don’t start comparing, as there is no scope for comparison. Because there are differences in everything – different levels of Imaan (Faith), different people, different genders, different cultures, different perspectives, different upbringings, different mentalities, different types of trials, different situations.

But at the end, the stories of the Prophets and Messengers عليهم السلام mentioned in the Qur’aan, and the Seerah (biography) of our Prophet ﷺ, and the Ahaadeeth are enough for us as an encouragement and as solutions to all our problems.

Allaah تعالى responds to the people’s prayers according to His Wisdom. There may be an interest to be served by delay, and haste may be harmful. Perhaps losing what you have missed out on will cause you to turn to Allaah and getting it will distract you from Him. This is obvious, based on the fact that were it not for this calamity you would not have turned to Him; because the real calamity is what distracts you from Him, but what makes you stand before Him is good for you and is in your best interests.

Sometimes, Allaah تعالى provides to the people as a source of punishment for them in this world and the Hereafter:

فَلَا تُعْجِبْكَ أَمْوَالُهُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُهُمْ ۚ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُم بِهَا فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا

{So let not their wealth or their children amaze you (O Muhammad ﷺ); in reality, Allaah’s Plan is to punish them with these things in the life of this world}

📚[Surah al-Tawbah (9): 55]

وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِ أَزْوَاجًا مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ ۚ وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ

{And strain not your eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to various groups of them, [its being but] the splendor of the life of this world that We may test them thereby. But the provision (good reward in the Hereafter) of your Lord is better and more lasting.}

📚[Surah Taha (20): 131]

So, sail through the journey that you are on, be patient, and don’t compare, nor despair. And know that the good things that have been written for you will come on their appointed time.