There was once a pious man, who lived with his family in the wilderness. They owned a dog, a donkey and a rooster. The rooster would wake them for salaah, the donkey would carry their water, grain, etc., and the dog would guard and protect them.
One day, a fox arrived and snatched their rooster, leaving the family distressed over its loss. However, as the man was a pious man, he responded saying, “Perhaps there is some good in what transpired.”
After some time had passed, a wolf arrived and attacked the donkey, splitting open its belly and killing it. They grieved over the loss of the donkey, but once again the pious man responded saying, “Perhaps there is some good in what transpired.”
Some time later, the dog also died, and once again, the pious man’s response was, “Perhaps there is some good in what transpired.”
Thereafter, they awoke one morning to find that during the night, all the people living in the nearby vicinity had been captured (and taken into slavery).
The raiders had been able to find them and capture them easily, in the darkness, due to the noises that their animals had made. Since this household had no animals to alert the raiders, they had remained undetected and were thus saved from being captured.
(Musannaf Ibni Abi Shaibah #36024)
Lesson:
A true believer is always pleased with the decree and decision of Allah Ta‘ala. Never will he complain against Allah Ta‘ala or ask questions such as, “But why me? Could Allah Ta‘ala not find someone else? Have I not been through enough?” Rather, a true believer will trust in Allah Ta‘ala and believe that Allah Ta‘ala, in His infinite knowledge, knows best. There is definitely wisdom in the decision of Allah Ta‘ala, even if we cannot comprehend it. Hence, what seems to be a calamity is often a blessing in disguise, although we may not realize it at the time. Thus, in hardships and adversities, we must trust in Allah Ta‘ala, turn to Him and hold onto sabr (patience and steadfastness).