Every terror is proportional to its magnitude
The text emphasizes that every terror is proportional to its magnitude, calling for reliance on God and acceptance of destiny to calm the soul.
Translated by Qiyas from السياسة — Original source
“Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d, 28).
Terror refers to anything terrifying, especially matters related to the worldly calamities that humans may face, which initially appear catastrophic. This is particularly true of those caused by some human beings. A person fears something when they magnify it out of fear or dread. Due to a rapid immersion in catastrophic thinking, some people fear what they believe to be horrors they may be unable to cope with or bear their negative consequences.
According to the saying of one of the sages: “Every terror is proportional to its magnitude, and every difficulty becomes easy if you minimize it.” Among the factors that can help mitigate the negative impact of life’s horrors, we mention the following:
- Only what Allah has decreed for you will happen to you: The Almighty says in the Noble Quran, “Say, ‘Never will we be struck except by what Allah has decreed for us; He is our protector,’ and upon Allah let the believers rely.” (Surah At-Tawbah, 51). The wise Muslim strives to convince his fluctuating human self that only the Creator of all creation knows what is recorded in the Preserved Tablet. The Lord of Majesty says, “No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register before We bring it into being—indeed, that is easy for Allah.” (Surah Al-Hadid, 22). The wise person is one who firmly establishes in his heart the following truth of faith: Only what Allah has decreed for you or against you will happen to you.
- Reverence for the human being: The wise person reveres his Lord who created him, and does not revere His creations. Every human being other than the Messengers and Prophets, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon them, is an imperfect creation. No human being resembling them should revere another. Much of the fear of life’s horrors stems from an individual’s fear of what another human being might do to him. Yet, a person’s destiny is written in a clear record before he is created. So why fear?
- Enduring horrors and convincing oneself: Convincing oneself to downplay the written horrors of this world is extremely difficult. However, one who fears Allah and places true trust in Him will gradually find his heart at peace and become content with what has been decreed for him and destined upon him.
A Kuwaiti writer
