Optimism Verses in the Holy Quran
Islam is a religion that encourages optimism, sows hope in believers, and urges them to believe in Allah and trust in His mercy and wisdom. Many words in the Holy Quran call upon Muslims not to despair and to hold on to Allah's hope, no matter how severe the crises have become and how difficult. The believer knows that Allah's measures are superior to that of mankind, and that relief may come unexpectedly. Here are some of the expressions of optimism from the Holy Quran, with an Explanation “the tafseer” of their meaning and connotations.
- Verse: “You never know, perhaps Allah will bring about a change ˹of heart˺ later”
Surah: At-Talaq (Verse 1)
Explanation “the tafseer” This verse refers to optimism even in the darkest circumstances. Even in the event of divorce, Allah brings hope by emphasising that it might bring about a new good thing. It is a call for wait and patience because Allah can completely change the situation.
- Verse: “They are joyful for receiving Allah’s grace and bounty, and that Allah does not deny the reward of the believers”
Surah: Ali 'Imran (Verse 171)
Explanation “the tafseer”: This verse encourages believers to be optimistic about the forgiveness and grace of Allah. It invites them to trust that Allah does not waste the rewards of their actions. Believers must be hopeful that Allah will reward them for their patience and sacrifice.
- Verse: “brings them out of darkness and into light by His Will”
Surah: Al-Ma'idah (Verse 16)
Explanation “the tafseer”: This verse speaks of optimism in times of affliction. Allah brings his worshippers out of darkness into the light with his guidance and mercy, thus giving hope to the hearts of the believers whatever trials they go through.
- Verse: “Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “In Allah’s grace and mercy let them rejoice. That is far better than whatever ˹wealth˺ they amass”
Surah Yunus (Verse 58)
Explanation “the tafseer”: This verse urges believers to rejoice in Allah's mercy and grace. The joy of the believer in Allah's grace is a source of true happiness that exceeds all the world's wealth.
- Verse: “at the victory willed by Allah. He gives victory to whoever He wills. For He is the Almighty, Most Merciful”
Surah: Ar-Rum (Verse 5)
Explanation “the tafseer”: This verse carries a strong message for those who believe in the optimism of victory from Allah, indicating that victory is coming from Allah alone and is capable of achieving it despite all the difficulties and circumstances.
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Quranic Verses on Patience
The Holy Quran addresses patience as a means to achieve Allah's satisfaction and win the great reward, and linked it with the relief that comes after hardships, to bring peace to the believer’s heart. The Sunnah of the Prophet also emphasised this great value and showed that patience is one of the qualities that elevates man in this worldly life and in the Hereafter.
Here, we review some Quranic versesthat have dealt with patience and relief, to reflect on their meaning and learn how to respond wisely and consistently to afflictions.
- Allah Almighty said: “Persevere! Surely Allah is with those who persevere” (Al-Anfal: 46)
- Allah Almighty said: “But if you patiently endure, it is certainly best for those who are patient” (An-Nahl: 126)
- Allah Almighty said: “We raised from among them leaders,1 guiding by Our command, when they patiently endured and firmly believed in Our signs” (As-Sajdah: 24)
- Allah Almighty said: “Indeed, messengers before you were rejected but patiently endured rejection and persecution until Our help came to them. And Allah’s promise ˹to help˺ is never broken. And you have already received some of the narratives of these messengers” (Al-An'am: 34)
- Allah Almighty said: “Be patient ˹O Prophet˺, for your patience is only with Allah’s help. Do not grieve over those ˹who disbelieve˺, nor be distressed by their schemes” (An-Nahl: 127)
- Allah Almighty said: “O believers! Seek comfort in patience and prayer. Allah is truly with those who are patient” (Al-Baqarah: 153)
- Allah Almighty said: “You ˹believers˺ will surely be tested in your wealth and yourselves,1 and you will certainly hear many hurtful words from those who were given the Scripture before you and ˹from˺ the polytheists. But if you are patient and mindful ˹of Allah˺—surely this is a resolve to aspire to” (Ali 'Imran: 186)
- Allah Almighty said: “keep the pledges they make; and who are patient in times of suffering, adversity, and in ˹the heat of˺ battle. It is they who are true ˹in faith˺, and it is they who are mindful ˹of Allah˺” (Al-Baqarah: 177)
- Allah Almighty said: “And ˹they are˺ those who endure patiently, seeking their Lord’s pleasure,1 establish prayer, donate from what We have provided for them—secretly and openly—and respond to evil with good. It is they who will have the ultimate abode” (Ar-Ra'd: 22)
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Quranic Verses on Relief
There are many Qoranic verses that speak of relief after hardships, including the following:
- Allah Almighty said: “Do you think you will be admitted into Paradise without being tested like those before you? They were afflicted with suffering and adversity and were so ˹violently˺ shaken that ˹even˺ the Messenger and the believers with him cried out, “When will Allah’s help come?” Indeed, Allah’s help is ˹always˺ near” (Al-Baqarah: 214)
- Allah Almighty said: “So, surely with hardship comes ease. Surely with ˹that˺ hardship comes ˹more˺ ease” (Ash-Sharh: 5 – 6)
- Allah Almighty said: “Say, “˹Only˺ Allah rescues you from this and any other distress, yet you associate others with Him ˹in worship˺” (Al-An'am: 64)
- Allah Almighty said: “After hardship, Allah will bring about ease” (At-Talaq: 7)
- Allah Almighty said: “Or ˹ask them,˺ “Who responds to the distressed when they cry to Him, relieving ˹their˺ affliction, and ˹Who˺ makes you successors in the earth? Is it another god besides Allah? Yet you are hardly mindful!” (An-Naml: 62)
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