Sadness, is it a test or weakness in our faith? Things rarely go according to our plans and we have all experienced it one day or another.

While understanding the purpose of this pain is difficult, sometimes we are told that our sadness is a sign of weak Iman (faith).

Then we fall into a loop:  We are sad – We feel guilty for feeling sad – We feel even more distressed.

Nevertheless the weakness isn’t about how sad you are, but rather what is your reaction.

Indeed we tend to look for what we have done wrong when something makes us sad.

Moreover we also think that we are being punished instead of being tested.

Well, it isn’t like that: this short video inspired by an article from Najwa Awad and Sarah Sultan (“I should’ve gotten over it by now: surviving the impact of grief on faith”) is explaining why.

There are 2 main concepts we need to understand:

The first is that the Quran says our hearts can be healed. This is how Allah designed us, this is our nature to experience pain.

“O mankind, there has to come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers.” [Surah Yunus 10:57]

As for the second concept, it is about salvation. It is a chance to come closer to Allah and have our sins erased.

The Prophet (pbuh) said “No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 5641, 5642]

In conclusion life will hurt and tests are not punishments if you understand that Allah wants you closer to Him.

Don’t let sadness overwhelm you
Things rarely go according to our plans and we have all experienced it one day or another.

While understanding the purpose of this pain is difficult, sometimes we are told that our sadness is a sign of weak Iman (faith).

Then we fall into a loop:  We are sad – We feel guilty for feeling sad – We feel even more distressed.

Nevertheless the weakness isn’t about how sad you are, but rather what is your reaction.

Indeed we tend to look for what we have done wrong when something makes us sad.

Moreover we also think that we are being punished instead of being tested.

Well, it isn’t like that: this short video inspired by an article from Najwa Awad and Sarah Sultan (“I should’ve gotten over it by now: surviving the impact of grief on faith”) is explaining why.