إِن تَمْسَسْكُمْ حَسَنَةٌ تَسُؤْهُمْ وَإِن تُصِبْكُمْ سَيِّئَةٌ يَفْرَحُوا بِهَا ۖ وَإِن تَصْبِرُوا وَتَتَّقُوا لَا يَضُرُّكُمْ كَيْدُهُمْ شَيْئًا ۗ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ مُحِيطٌ
If any good befalls you, it grieves them, and if some misfortune overtakes you, they rejoice over it. If you adopt sabr and taqwa, their plot will not harm you in the least. Indeed Allah Ta‘ala is all-encompassing of what they do. (Surah Aal-e-‘Imraan v. 120)
In this verse of the Quraan Majeed, Allah Ta‘ala mentions regarding the condition of the hypocrites and enemies of Islam. Regardless of what face they may portray to the Muslims, or what sentiments they apparently express, the reality is that they have enmity for Islam and desire its ruin.
Accordingly, the Muslims falling into suffering, difficulty and misery causes them delight and happiness, while the prosperity, progress and success of the Muslims causes them grief and annoyance. Furthermore, their enmity and hostility for Islam spurs many of them to plot and scheme against the Muslims. However, Allah Ta‘ala has provided us with a divine prescription, and has assured us that if we adopt this prescription and firmly hold onto it when beset by challenges and adversities, there will be no need for worry or anxiety.
The divine prescription is that of sabr and taqwa. In this regard, it is important for us to understand that while ‘sabr’ does refer to remaining patient and pleased with Allah Ta’ala’s decree, and abstaining from complaining or objecting against the decision of Allah Ta‘ala, sabr is not restricted to this. Rather, sabr also refers to remaining steadfast on righteousness by being punctual on one’s good actions. As for taqwa, it refers to one cultivating the awareness of Allah Ta‘ala in his heart due to which he abstains from all sins.
In essence, the divine prescription is for one to remain loyal to Allah Ta‘ala, committed to Deen and to abstain from displeasing Allah Ta‘ala. If one does this, he will enjoy the divine assistance and protection of Allah Ta‘ala which is so powerful that there is no force in the universe that can combat or oppose it.
This divine prescription should be the central theme in every believer’s life, and it is perhaps for the same reason that this prescription, of sabr and taqwa, is repeated multiple times throughout the Quraan Majeed. Thus, a Muslim should always turn to Allah Ta‘ala and place his trust in Him, as He is the sole controller of everything.
Finally, Allah Ta‘ala concludes the verse by mentioning that His knowledge is all encompassing of the actions of these enemies. Hence, they can neither conceal their crimes from Allah Ta‘ala, nor can they escape His punishment. Therefore, if the punishment of Allah Ta‘ala does not strike them in this world, it will most certainly strike them in the Hereafter. Thus, a Muslim should not despair, for sooner or later, the enemies of Islam will be brought to justice.