# Tested Like the Prophets | UK Tour Wembley Stadium Lecture by Dr. Omar Suleiman

**Author:** Dr. Omar Suleiman
**Series:** Lecture
**Published:** 2025-01-07
**YouTube:** https://youtu.be/PO7ha3OCji4
**URL:** https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/lecture/tested-like-the-prophets-dr-omar-suleiman
**Topics:** General Psychology, Prophets, Psychology & Mental Health

## Description
What does it mean to be tested like the prophets? What is the wisdom of the prophets of Allah facing the most difficult trials, and what does it look like to model their steadfastness? Discover how their struggles hold timeless lessons for overcoming your own challenges.

## Transcript
**[0:00]** As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu. I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan. In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. No aggression is due except against the wrongdoers. And the outcome is for the righteous. Allahumma salli wa sallim wa barik ala abdika wa rasulika Muhammadin

**[0:16]** Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam wa ala alihi wa sahbihi wa sallim tasliman kathira. Have you all ever seen when they're testing a car before that car goes to market, the crash tests where they run that car

**[0:34]** into a hypothetical accident over and over and over again? SubhanAllah, it's one of the incredible things to witness if you watch the way that a vehicle is made.

**[0:50]** And before the manufacturer can put anything out on the market, they have to simulate like a thousand car accidents and much more so that they can trust that that vehicle is going to meet a certain rating.

**[1:08]** And then the vehicle hits the market and it gets a grade. And you guys are like, what are you doing talking about vehicle ratings at this time of the night? Follow me for a moment. It gets a grade. And the idea is not that you hope that that car will ever have an accident,

**[1:29]** but that if an accident was to happen, that it would hold up to a certain extent and that it wouldn't break and that the driver and the passenger would be safe. Stay with me.

**[1:44]** You're a car manufacturer. You put the car out before anyone purchases the car. That car has been in multiple accidents so that you know that you're purchasing a reliable vehicle

**[2:00]** that can withstand a certain level of collision. Your hope is that the car never actually has that collision. But your trust is in that rating, that this is the safest car on the market,

**[2:17]** that it's built to be able to withstand this hit over and over and over again. If you were a car and you had a rating based upon how you fare in collisions,

**[2:33]** what would you rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10? I want to take that back to a hadith of the Prophet (ﷺ) where the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) mentions

**[2:48]** ashaddu an-nasi bala'an al-anbiya' The most tested people in the world are the prophets. But then he uses a different terminology (ﷺ) to describe who else is tested, alayhi salatu wassalam.

**[3:05]** He says thumma al-anthal fal-anthal and then those that are closest to them, those that are closest to them. Closest to them here is not referring to proximity of time. SubhanAllah it's an amazing hadith. When you compare it to another famous hadith

**[3:20]** where the Prophet (ﷺ) said the best of generations are qarni, my generation. thumma al-lazeena yaroonahum thumma al-lazeena yaroonahum and then those that followed and then those that followed. That Allah has allocated righteousness disproportionately in this ummah

**[3:35]** certainly in the first generations of Islam with the pious predecessors. And the companions around the Prophet (ﷺ) are the best generation of Islam. So the best generation is my generation and then that which follows immediately and then that which follows immediately.

**[3:50]** Compare that to this hadith where it's not about time. It's not about the proximity of generation. That the most tested of people are the anbiya, are the prophets. thumma al-anthal fal-anthal

**[4:05]** It puts some perspective to what we're witnessing in the people of Gaza. When we say who are these people, they don't feel quite real. Because I know that if I was tested

**[4:20]** with even a fraction of what they've been tested with my collision rating would not be able to survive. I would crumble sooner. I don't think I would have made it that far with those circumstances.

**[4:37]** And so the proximity here is al-anthal fal-anthal Those that are closest to the prophets in what? al-ashraf fal-ashraf The most noble, the most noble. The closest to the prophets in nobility.

**[4:52]** The closest to the prophets in character. The closest to the prophets in faith can expect a disproportionality of test. A disproportionality of trial. And the prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said

**[5:07]** yubtala an-nasu ala qadri deenihim People are tested in accordance with their faith. And so the one who has stronger deen will face stronger tests. And the one who is weaker in faith will have weaker tests.

**[5:25]** You know it kind of puts some perspective to that idea of la yukallifu allahu nafsan illa wus'aha Allah does not burden a soul beyond its scope. Even though the primary intended meaning of this ayah is that the shariah, the legislation that we have

**[5:40]** does not burden us beyond our scope. That Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has given us what is reasonable, what is practical, what doesn't push us beyond what is humanly reasonable while pursuing Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, while pursuing the divine. But there is of course an implied benefit as well

**[5:58]** that Allah does not burden a soul beyond its scope. But just because Allah doesn't burden a soul beyond its scope doesn't mean that Allah will not push you to the limits of your potential. And when you see people being tested

**[6:15]** in ways that you could not imagine for yourself nor that you necessarily want for yourself and somehow passing that test and you compare their slate of tests to your tests this hadith can give you some context.

**[6:33]** What's your collision rating? If you were run into a wall over and over and over again at what point does the airbag pop? At what point do the windows collapse? At what point are you shattered? What's your collision rating?

**[6:48]** And how do I even prepare myself for something like that? Because the answer is not to ask Allah for more tests just like the answer is not to wish for your car to get in an accident. It's not the answer here.

**[7:03]** The answer is to identify the ingredients that build that vehicle to that place. That make you sturdy. And I want you to remember this and I recognize that it's late

**[7:19]** but pay attention to this idea. There are two ways in life that you will be manufactured. You will be constructed. You'll be constructed with character

**[7:34]** and you'll be constructed with circumstance. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala will build you through your character and Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala will build you through circumstances and conditions that you did not ask for.

**[7:49]** There is the voluntary undertaking of construction of yourself. And then there is the involuntary conditions that Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala will put you through to bring you to a certain level. And many times we don't identify the connection between character and circumstance.

**[8:10]** And so what I want you to do is think about this ayah from the Quran that many of us have heard in multiple contexts almost all of them divorced from the original context. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala says

**[8:26]** لقد كان لكم في رسول الله أسوة حسنة لمن كان يرجو الله واليوم الآخر وذكر الله كثيرا That verily you have in the messenger of Allah (ﷺ)

**[8:42]** an excellent example for the one that desires Allah that seeks Allah in the last day and that remembers Allah often. Three ingredients are given here to the character of the Prophet (ﷺ)

**[8:59]** لِمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ for the one who wants Allah who wants the day of judgment and who remembers Allah frequently. Think of these three ingredients in the capacity of character building. A lot of times you hear this ayah being referenced

**[9:15]** and it's referenced to tell you about the importance of smiling like the Prophet (ﷺ) smiled. And indeed smiling is a sunnah. It's referenced to tell you to be merciful in familial contexts

**[9:31]** like the Prophet (ﷺ) was merciful. And indeed we should be merciful with our family and with our relatives. No doubt about it. It's referenced with mannerisms and indeed the messenger of Allah (ﷺ)

**[9:46]** had the most refined and perfect of manners (ﷺ). I really want you all, there's like 15,000 people here, say Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Allahumma salli wa sallim wa barik ala nabina Muhammad.

**[10:01]** Every time you hear his name, it will only increase you in your rank when you say Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. And so yes, if you were to read the Shama'il of the Prophet (ﷺ) you would see that he perfects every small mannerism.

**[10:17]** But there are ingredients that are mentioned here. And these three ingredients are so crucial to both character and circumstance. Why? liman kana yarjul laa Because if you don't seek Allah,

**[10:32]** then you may be seeking other than Allah and that could be shirk. That could be the most disqualifying disease of all, which is to associate a partner with Allah. wal yawm al aakhir If you're not seeking the hereafter, but you're seeking this dunya instead,

**[10:50]** you're seeking this world instead, then your good qualities will only be exercised to the extent that they bring material benefit here. And that bears the fruit of hypocrisy. And if you are seeking this world,

**[11:08]** wa dhakar Allaha kathira remembering Allah frequently. If when you do good deeds, or you exert good qualities, or exhibit good qualities, you do that for the mention of other than Allah, then you are placing in your heart the disease of riyaa,

**[11:24]** the disease of showing off. To want to be remembered and praised by other than Allah. So these three ingredients have three counterparts. They all keep out a particular disease.

**[11:39]** A shirk, a nifaq, a riyaa. They remove the diseases that corrupt even good characteristics. And eventually, those diseases start to show themselves, even in those good qualities.

**[11:54]** So in terms of character building, what makes the Prophet (ﷺ) so beautiful in regards to the qualities that he showed to other people, is that he showed those qualities to other people for the sake of Allah.

**[12:09]** And that's why, even when there was nothing that would make the human being, the person in front of him, (ﷺ), deserving of his excellent qualities, he still exhibited them with excellence

**[12:24]** because he was pursuing Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, not that person in front of him. What makes the Prophet (ﷺ)'s character so beautiful, and in fact is at the heart of sidq, the heart of truthfulness,

**[12:39]** is that the Prophet (ﷺ) did not want a reward in this life for the good qualities that he exhibited. But he sought the reward of the hereafter instead. What makes the Prophet (ﷺ)'s character so beautiful

**[12:56]** is he did not give himself the nicknames of as-sadiq al-ameen, the honest one and the truthful one. He didn't tell people to refer to him in a certain way, (ﷺ). But those qualities became undeniable and undetachable

**[13:15]** from the mention of the name Muhammad (ﷺ) because the Prophet (ﷺ) sought the praise of Allah Azza wa Jalla, not the praise of the people. Now I want you to think about in our situation.

**[13:30]** Let's say you're honest, let's say you're trustworthy, let's say that you show good qualities, but you show good qualities only to the extent that they have worldly benefit. Eventually, a little bit of a collision will expose the insincerity of those good qualities,

**[13:46]** will expose the insincerity of that good character. May Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala protect us. Allahumma ameen. Eventually the character will be exposed and it will show itself to be for other than Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا

**[14:10]** The three ingredients is if you're pursuing the character of the Prophet (ﷺ), you're not pursuing the qualities of the Prophet (ﷺ) to be loved by the people the way that the Prophet (ﷺ) was loved by the people because he was loved by the people.

**[14:26]** If you're pursuing the character of the Prophet (ﷺ), you're not pursuing the character of the Prophet (ﷺ) to be praised by the people because he was praised by the people for those characters (ﷺ). But you have to interrogate yourself and ask yourself,

**[14:41]** do I have the same motivations that the Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) had? Do I want what the Prophet (ﷺ) wanted? Do I intend as the Prophet (ﷺ) intended? Am I refining for the same reason that the Prophet (ﷺ) was in constant refinement

**[15:01]** alayhi salatu was salam and perfecting the perfect (ﷺ) while we are inherently imperfect? Do I have his intentions? Do I have his motivations? And SubhanAllah there is another ayah that stands almost entirely in exposure of the opposite of this ayah.

**[15:23]** Allah Azawajal says, inna allatheena la yarjuna liqaana waradu bilhayati al-dunya wa atma'annu biha wallatheenahum a'an ayatina ghaafilun Those who do not wish to meet us, they don't want to meet Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.

**[15:41]** So the opposite of liman kana yarjullah, the one who wants Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala is the one who hopes to never meet Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. They're hoping that there is no God that will hold them accountable. They're hoping that there is no God to meet. And instead of wal yawm al-akhir, desiring the hereafter,

**[15:58]** inna allatheena la yarjuna liqaana waradu bilhayati al-dunya They are pleased with the life of this world. They're trying to create a paradise for themselves in this world. wa atma'annu biha Right?

**[16:13]** walatheenahum a'an ayatina ghaafilun And those who turn away from our ayat is the parallel of wadhakarallaha kathira The one who remembers Allah frequently. The believer remembers Allah frequently. This person turns away from the signs and the verses and the mention of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.

**[16:31]** Three traits that are the three ingredients of hypocrisy compared to the three ingredients of a person who wants to be a follower of the prophets. Now here's the thing.

**[16:46]** Allah will test you. Allah will build your character. And then He will test you in that character. And that can elevate your rating or it can expose a faulty construction. And we ask Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala that what we face in life only brings out more beauty

**[17:07]** and a greater reward in the afterlife. Allahumma ameen. What is the original context of this verse? When you think of the character of the Prophet (ﷺ). This verse is in Surat Al-Ahzab. And it's situated between a condemnation of the hypocrites

**[17:25]** who found every excuse to not struggle alongside the Prophet (ﷺ) and a praise of the believers who stood with the Prophet (ﷺ) despite everything and even if the circumstance did not allow them to be with the Prophet (ﷺ)

**[17:42]** just a few ayat after. مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوا مَا عَاهَدُوا اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ From the believers are those who are truthful to the covenant of Allah. مِنْهُم مَنْ قَضَى نَحْبَهُ وَمِنْهُم مَنْ يَنْتَظِرُ وَمَا بَدَّلُوا تَبْدِيلًا They have such strong resolve. They would tell the Prophet (ﷺ),

**[17:58]** we missed Badr. But if we were there in Badr, we would have been by your side. And if Allah gives us another chance, we will be by your side. They hated that the circumstance where they could have proven their character missed them. Whereas the hypocrites were trying to find a way to wiggle their way out of any circumstance that would make them uncomfortable.

**[18:20]** Allah Azawajal places this characteristic of the Prophet (ﷺ) here. This declaration here. Meaning what? When you look at the example of the Prophet (ﷺ),

**[18:35]** look at the example of his struggle, (ﷺ). Why would he struggle the way that he struggled? What caused the Prophet (ﷺ) to endure pain in ways that most human beings could not endure?

**[18:56]** Why would the Prophet (ﷺ) find the energy to keep going after Ta'if? To keep going after Khadijah (رضي الله عنها) died? To keep going after Abu Talib died? After they put intestines on his back?

**[19:13]** After they massacred his followers? After they ran him out? How did he still find resilience, (ﷺ)? What brought the Prophet (ﷺ) back to the battlefield over and over and over again? What brought the Prophet (ﷺ) to the front lines when the battle would rage and it would be most difficult?

**[19:33]** And Allah is saying, Liman kana yarjul laaha waalyawmal aakhir wa thakarallaha kathira Those same ingredients drove that behavior from the Prophet (ﷺ)

**[19:50]** in those moments of hardship and difficulty. He wanted Allah more than any other human being has ever wanted Allah. He wanted the pleasure and the reward from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala more than any other human being has ever wanted the pleasure or the reward from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.

**[20:08]** And he remembered Allah in quality and quantity more than anyone else would remember Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. And so you know what that looks like? And it's really interesting because the two battles that Allah Azawajal exposed the hypocrites through were the ones that had the least casualties.

**[20:32]** Al-Ahzab, khandaq, had only a handful of people that passed away from the believers. Tabuk, which Allah Azawajal revealed Surah Tawbah, exposing the hypocrites, al-fadhihah, the exposure.

**[20:50]** Tabuk didn't actually materialize in the full front battle that it was supposed to be according to calculations. Because they went out, they marched out, and it didn't actually materialize in the battle.

**[21:05]** So the hypocrites were exposed ironically through the two battles that didn't lead to many casualties. But they found excuses to not be there. They made every excuse to not be there with the Prophet (ﷺ).

**[21:20]** They failed the test. Allah Azawajal exposed them. Now think of the believers that were in the trench with the Prophet (ﷺ), and the Prophet (ﷺ) rises up covered in dirt. And if you want to know what it looks like to have the whole world shutting in your face and everything closing in on you,

**[21:41]** look at the people of Gaza and imagine the hisar, the blockade of Medina, the attempted genocide on Medina, the starvation of Medina. The fear that they could be attacked from any one of these openings.

**[21:56]** And the Prophet (ﷺ) rises covered in dirt, covered in mud because he's digging harder (ﷺ). Stones tied to his stomach because he's not eating (ﷺ). And he says,

**[22:16]** Oh Allah, there is no life except for the life of the hereafter. لقد كان لكم في رسول الله أسوة حسنة لمن كان يرجو الله واليوم الآخر.

**[22:31]** Pursuing Allah, pursuing the hereafter, he looks out, says, Oh Allah, there is no life except for the life of the hereafter. I'm pleased, Ya Allah. I'm pleased with what you have decreed in this regard.

**[22:46]** وذكر الله كثيرا and remembers Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala frequently. You know, when you get struck by a tragedy, when you get put in a difficult circumstance, there is a phrase that you are to say as soon as it happens.

**[23:01]** It is Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah in good times, Alhamdulillah in bad times. Those that remember Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala standing, sitting and laying down. Those that remember Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala in good times and in hard times.

**[23:18]** There is a verbalization of that because these people have accustomed their tongues, accustomed their hearts to remembering Allah so frequently that no matter what hits them, they immediately go back and they remember Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. Alhamdulillah. La ilaha illa Allah. Allahu Akbar.

**[23:36]** At all times, dhikr to them is like drinking water. It's like breathing. It comes so naturally. And so imagine you being in the trench with the Prophet (ﷺ). Would the Prophet (ﷺ) look at you and say,

**[23:52]** اللهم لاعيش إلا عيش الآخرة فاغفر للأنصار والمهاجرين So forgive. Oh Allah, there is no life except for the life of the hereafter. So forgive the Ansar and forgive the Muhajireen. Would the Prophet (ﷺ) make that du'a for you? Would you find yourself in the situation of making excuses?

**[24:12]** Or would you find yourself alongside the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and embracing the collision, embracing it as it comes? Again, you don't manufacture the car with the hopes that it gets in an accident.

**[24:28]** You don't seek the test and the trial. But you prep yourself for that moment. You prep yourself for that collision. How? By embracing the ingredients. And so as you're in every situation in your life, you ask yourself,

**[24:44]** am I pursuing Allah or am I pursuing someone else? Am I hoping for the hereafter or am I hoping for something in this dunya? And am I remembering Allah or am I remembering other than Allah in these moments that I am in?

**[24:59]** Now let me bring it back to the people of Gaza and to what this means for us. I want you to appreciate for a moment that the people of Gaza are not attached to the outcome of worldly victory.

**[25:17]** In fact, take a step back and recognize that those who are struggling for a free Palestine are not attached to the outcome of a free Palestine. Because they're not struggling for Palestine.

**[25:33]** They're not struggling for Palestine. They're struggling for Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala. They don't attach themselves to worldly victory to the point that they would be disappointed by everything that happens along the way.

**[25:49]** And that's why when shahada comes to them, when they lose their lives, they are pleased with that outcome because they are those people who are pursuing Allah, pursuing the hereafter and remembering Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala frequently.

**[26:06]** And it doesn't remove anything in terms of their haybah, anything in terms of the awe and the presence that they have. It doesn't remove anything in terms of the amount of struggling and striving that they do. They strive hard. But they believe in Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala.

**[26:24]** And they believe in Allah's reward. And they're seeking Allah's reward. And here's something else I want you to appreciate for a moment. And really try to absorb this inshallah ta'ala. When the people of Gaza make du'a,

**[26:39]** and when these people make du'a for Palestine, they have no doubt in the ability of Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala to open up Palestine for them tomorrow. To give them freedom and liberation tomorrow.

**[26:56]** But as much as they believe in Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala's ability and power to be able to give that to them tomorrow, they believe just as much in Allah's wisdom and Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala's knowledge

**[27:11]** in withholding that worldly victory to their benefit and to their elevation in the hereafter. And so their trust is there for Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala in the midst of their test. When I'm making du'a in the midst of my test,

**[27:27]** I don't in any way question Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala's ability to answer that test. But what is my motivation in life as a whole? Not just my motivation for that du'a. You desperately want Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala to open a door for you here.

**[27:43]** But what is it that you have presented towards the eternal door of Jannah? To get yourself there. And so what does this mean for us right now? Do we seek test? Do we seek trial? No, but you know what we do do?

**[28:00]** We embrace discomfort for the sake of Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala. We embrace discomfort for the sake of Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala. We find ways to voluntarily struggle for the sake of Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala. We find ways to strive and make ourselves uncomfortable for His sake

**[28:18]** so that should Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala put us in a situation where we are made more uncomfortable than perhaps any of us could imagine, then we're pleased. We embrace it. We've built the resilience because the car can hit a harder wall at a faster pace

**[28:36]** because you're testing that car in ways that Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala is pleased. And so when you hear Mu'adh (رضي الله عنه) or Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) saying that had it not been for the long days of fasting

**[28:51]** and had it not been for the long nights of standing and had it not been for the struggle for Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala then we would wish for death instead. That the thing that we would miss most in this world is struggling for the sake of Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala.

**[29:07]** Then what do you think is the state of that person when they actually meet Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala on the Day of Judgment? That, Ya Allah, I love to please You and I love to struggle for You.

**[29:23]** And I'm preparing myself for that meeting with You. And I'm willing to frame the entirety of my life in that meeting with You because I don't live for this world. And so I'm not going to condition my belief in You

**[29:40]** with how You treat me in this world in accordance with how I want. Now here's what I also want us to appreciate, dear brothers and sisters. We hate tests. We hate trial. But sometimes Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala will build us

**[29:58]** through that test and that trial in ways that we just could not do through our own individual test and trial. And sometimes Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala will raise you in rank through test and trial in ways that you could not have done through your voluntary worship.

**[30:15]** I want to walk you through an alternate world where Khalid Nabhan, Rahimahullah ta'ala, Abu Diya, Ruh al-Ruh, the soul of our soul, is a man who lives in an affluent area.

**[30:30]** He prays Fajr every day in the masjid. He reads Quran. He invites people to worship Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala. He has an incredible and beautiful smile. But he's never tested the way that we know that he was tested.

**[30:49]** He lives and dies that same old man. Do you think that his rank on the Day of Judgment would be the same? Do you think that he would meet Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala with the amount of good deeds?

**[31:06]** With the amount of people whose lives have been transformed around the world, including Muslims? Because of him, do you think he still has the same maqam, the same rank? Now here's the thing.

**[31:22]** The car doesn't have to get in the car accident. The vehicle doesn't actually have to hit. But if the vehicle is built to withstand for the sake of Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala, then surely Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala will reward accordingly.

**[31:40]** And I know that for so many of us, we're in the midst of that test and that trial, and you're going through a hardship and you're waiting for that hardship to go away. And I want to leave you with this message, bi-idhnillahi ta'ala.

**[31:57]** Don't be so hasty for the test to flee you, to where you don't take advantage of the test as you're living it. What do I mean by that? Your du'as when you're being tested, they're different. Your closeness to Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala when you're being tested is different.

**[32:16]** Where your thoughts are, the quality of what you exert for the sake of Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala is different. And so while you are hoping for Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala to quickly bring about relief and ease, you might be missing out on the reward of the presence.

**[32:33]** That reward that is with you right now. If you were to go to the people of Gaza on the Day of Judgment and ask them, would you want to come back to this dunya

**[32:48]** and go through what you went through or be spared? We already know that the shaheed would want to come back to this life. Not so they can have an easier life. So that they could go through that shahada over and over and over again

**[33:06]** for the sake of Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala. Because of what they saw of Allah's generosity. Because of how Allah treated them. And so let's not be under any illusion that anyone is not going to receive the full reward that Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala has promised them.

**[33:21]** Inna wa'da Allahi haqq. Verily the promise of Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala is true. And this is what our enemies will never understand about us. The Zionists have to try to exert their domination here.

**[33:36]** They have to try to win it all here because they know that they're losers in a hereafter that they don't even know really exists. They have to try to build it here because they've left nothing but ruins for themselves there. They don't understand the concept of

**[33:51]** قتلانا في الجنة وقتلاكم في النار Our dead are in paradise and your dead are in hellfire. And so they live miserable even when they are under the illusion of power. Whereas our brothers and sisters live fulfilled

**[34:08]** even when they are under the boot of oppression. Because they know. They know. Go back to the three ingredients. لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ

**[34:25]** لِمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا How badly do you want Allah? In your prioritization, how much do you factor the hereafter over this dunya? And then how often do you remember Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala

**[34:41]** rather than seeking the remembrance and the mention of someone else? If you cast your qualities in those three regards then whether you are in ease or in hardship you are in a constant state of elevation. Don't lose hope in Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala's promise.

**[34:58]** Don't lose hope in Allah's mercy. But at the same time, build yourself to an added layer of potential through engaging in voluntary discomfort for the sake of Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala. I end with the one story of our mother or the sister of our mother, Asma' bint Abi Bakr

**[35:18]** (رضي الله عنها) wa an abiha and when Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما) wanted to go and offer her condolences over the crucifixion of her son Abdullah ibn Zubayr (رضي الله عنهما)

**[35:33]** she said, how could I not be patient? When Yahya, the son of Zakariya was beheaded and his head gifted to an adulteress how could I not be patient with what Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala has struck me with?

**[35:51]** You want to be with the Prophet (ﷺ)? You want to be with the Prophets? You want to be like the Prophets? Then seek to have the motivations of the Prophets. And if Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala finds you to be that sturdy vehicle

**[36:07]** then it doesn't even matter if your car ever actually gets into that collision because Allah Azawajal already knows what you're made of and He knows what's in your heart. May Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala build us in a way that is pleasing to Him.

**[36:22]** And may Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala grant us the best of this life and the next. And may Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala allow our brothers and sisters under oppression to pass their tests and allow us to pass the test of being with them in their oppression

**[36:40]** and being a source of alleviation for them in their oppression. And may Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala forgive us for our shortcomings in regards to Him in regards to ourselves, in regards to our brothers and sisters. Allahumma ameen. BarakAllahu feekum. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

**[37:00]** Al Fatiha.

## Other Episodes in "Lecture"
- [Khatm al-Quran Du’a 2026 by Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/ramadan-lives-khatmul-quran-dua-2026.md)
- [27th Night Special Du’a Stream by Dr. Omar Suleiman #LaylatulQadr](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/ramadan-lives-27th-night-2026-dua-loop-omar-suleiman.md)
- [What Is Allah Preparing You For? | Lecture by Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/what-is-allah-preparing-you-for-lecture-by-dr-omar-suleiman.md)
- [This Is What Made The Prophets Unstoppable | Lecture by Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/this-is-what-made-the-prophets-unstoppable-lecture-by-dr-omar-suleiman.md)
- [The Most Amazing Wedding I’ve Ever Been To | Dr. Omar Suleiman's South Africa Tour 2025](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/the-most-amazing-wedding-ive-ever-been-to-south-africa-tour-2025.md)
- [Kashmir Is Calling: Keynote at International War Crimes Tribunal, Bosnia | Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/kashmir-is-calling-keynote-lecture-international-war-crimes-tribunal-bosnia.md)
- [How to Reinvent Yourself This Ramadan | Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/how-to-reinvent-yourself-this-ramadan-dr-omar-suleiman.md)
- [The People of Gaza Are Undisplaceable | Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/the-people-of-gaza-are-undisplaceable-dr-omar-suleiman.md)
- [Preparing for Ramadan - Making the most in Shaban | Lecture by Sh. Mohammad Elshinawy](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/preparing-for-ramadan-making-the-most-in-shaban-lecture-by-sh-mohammad-elshinawy.md)
- [Finding Resilience Beyond the Illusion of Power | Lecture by Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/finding-resilience-beyond-the-illusion-of-power-lecture-by-dr-omar-suleiman.md)
- [Why Did Allah Mention The Number 19? Your Test of Faith | Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/why-did-allah-mention-the-number-19-lecture-by-dr-omar-suleiman.md)
- [Waiting for The Mahdi or A Miracle | Lecture by Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/waiting-for-the-mahdi-or-a-miracle-lecture-omar-suleiman.md)
- [Age is Nothing but a Number | Making An Impact | Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/age-is-nothing-but-a-number-dr-omar-suleiman.md)
- [Finding Solace Through Patience and Wisdom | Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/finding-solace-through-patience-and-wisdom-dr-omar-suleiman.md)
- [Is Syria Really a Good Thing ? | Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/is-syria-really-a-good-thing-dr-omar-suleiman.md)
- [Consumerism and The Inflation of Self | Black Friday | Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/consumerism-and-the-inflation-of-self-dr-omar-suleiman.md)
- [Is Religion Making Us Complacent? I Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/is-religion-making-us-complacent.md)
- [Did the Prophet ﷺ See You in The Future? | Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/did-the-prophet-see-you-in-the-future.md)
- [Grieving Doctors of Gaza | Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/grieving-doctors-of-gaza-omar-suleiman.md)
- [To Love the Prophet ﷺ More Than Yourself | Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/to-love-the-prophet-more-than-yourself.md)
- [Abu Bakr's (ra) Rare Speech | Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/abu-bakrs-ra-rare-speech.md)
- [Becoming the Best Version of Yourself | Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/becoming-the-best-version-of-yourself.md)
- [Be In This World A Stranger or a Wayfarer  | Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/be-in-this-world-a-stranger-or-a-wayfarer-dr-omar-suleiman.md)
- [Fueling Your Faith: A Guide to Preparing for Ramadan | Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/fueling-your-faith-a-guide-to-preparing-for-ramadan.md)
- [What Does Allah Really Want From Me? | Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/what-does-allah-really-want-from-me.md)
- [When the Qur’an Changes You | Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/when-the-quran-changes-you-dr-omar-suleiman.md)
- [How the Prophet ﷺ Inspired Young People | Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/how-the-prophet-inspired-young-people-dr-omar-suleiman.md)
- [A Conversation with Afreen Fatima on the Plight of Indian Muslims | Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/a-conversation-with-afreen-fatima-on-the-plight-of-indian-muslims-dr-omar-suleiman.md)
- [With Hardship Comes Ease | Dr. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/with-hardship-comes-ease-dr-omar-suleiman.md)
- [Effects of Islamophobia on the Brain - Dr. Jibran Khokhar | Firm Roots](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/effects-of-islamophobia-on-the-brain-dr-jibran-khokhar-firm-roots.md)
- [Roots and Implications of Pop Culture | Firm Roots](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/roots-and-implications-of-pop-culture.md)
- [The Gift of Receiving Good Counsel - Dr. Hatem ElHaj | Lecture](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/the-gift-of-receiving-good-counsel-lecture.md)
- [Slavery in Islam - Dr. Jonathan AC Brown | Lecture](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/slavery-in-islam-lecture.md)
- [Calling Out to Allah With Meaning - Sh. Tahir Wyatt | Lecture](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/calling-out-to-allah-with-meaning-lecture.md)
- [Understanding Traumatic Grief - Najwa Awad | ISNACON 2019](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/grief-as-a-source-of-trauma.md)
- [How Islam Addresses Grief - Dr. Altaf Husain | ISNACON 2019](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/how-islam-addresses-grief.md)
- [The Duha Approach: A New Model to Treat Trauma - Najwa Awad | ISNACON 2019](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/the-duha-approach-a-new-model-to-treat-trauma.md)
- [The Rising Tide of Atheism - Sh. Mohammad Elshinawy | ICNA 2019](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/the-rising-tide-of-atheism.md)
- [The Impact of Trauma on Faith - Sarah Sultan | ISNACON 2019](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/the-impact-of-trauma-on-faith.md)
- [Addressing the Topic of Trauma and Faith - Sh. Omar Suleiman | ISNACON 2019](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/addressing-the-topic-of-trauma-and-faith.md)
- [Why Does God Ask People to Worship Him? - Sh. Mohammad Elshinawy | Lecture](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/why-does-god-ask-people-to-worship-him-lecture.md)
- [Keeping Masculinity from Trending Toxic - Dr. Jonathan Brown | Reframing the Gender Question](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/keeping-masculinity-from-trending-toxic-reframing-the-gender-question.md)
- [Navigating Adolescence - Dr. Altaf Husain | Reframing the Gender Question](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/navigating-adolescence-dr-altaf-husain.md)
- [The Generous | Episode 6 | To Know Him is to Love Him](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/the-generous-episode-6-to-know-him-is-to-love-him.md)
- [Gift Giving | Episode 5 | To Know Him is to Love Him](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/gift-giving-episode-5-to-know-him-is-to-love-him.md)
- [Gracious Dealings | Episode 4 | To Know Him is to Love Him](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/gracious-dealings-episode-4-to-know-him-is-to-love-him.md)
- [The Story of Hajar: Uncovering Certainty in Uncertainty - Sh. Omar Suleiman | Lecture](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/the-story-of-hajar-uncovering-certainty-in-uncertainty-sh-omar-suleiman-lecture.md)
- [Bonds and Relations | Episode 3 | To Know Him is to Love Him](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/bonds-and-relations-episode-3-to-know-him-is-to-love-him.md)
- [Hope and Potential | Episode 2 | To Know Him is to Love Him](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/hope-and-potential-to-know-him-is-to-love-him.md)
- [Perfection and Beauty | Episode 1 | To Know Him is to Love Him](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/perfection-and-beauty-to-know-him-is-to-love-him.md)
- [The Role of Parents in Instilling Faith - Roohi Tahir | Yaqeen/MAS Academic Conference](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/the-role-of-parents-in-instilling-faith-roohi-tahir-yaqeen-mas-academic-conference.md)
- [To Know Him is to Love Him | Introduction by Sh. Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/to-know-him-is-to-love-him-introduction-by-sh-omar-suleiman.md)
- [The Flexibility of Islamic Law - Tesneem Alkiek | 2018 Yaqeen/MAS Academic Conference](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/the-flexibility-of-islamic-law-2018-yaqeen-mas-academic-conference.md)
- [Conflict Resolution: The Line Between Justice and Peace - Sh. Omar Suleiman | Lecture](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/conflict-resolution-the-line-between-justice-and-peace-sh-omar-suleiman-lecture.md)
- [Spiritual Personality - Zohair Abdul-Rahman | 2018 Yaqeen/MAS Academic Conference](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/spiritual-personality-zohair-abdul-rahman-2018-yaqeen-mas-academic-conference.md)
- [Racism in Our Ranks | Khutbahs with Purpose](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/racism-in-our-ranks-khutbahs-with-purpose.md)
- [Combating Islamophobia with Marketing and Design | #SXSW19](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/combating-islamophobia-with-marketing-and-design-sxsw19.md)
- [Meaningful Solidarity - Sh. Omar Suleiman | Lecture](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/meaningful-solidarity-sh-omar-suleiman-lecture.md)
- [Conversations at The Carter Center: Harmonizing Religion and Human Rights](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/conversations-at-the-carter-center-harmonizing-religion-and-human-rights.md)
- [How Yaqeen is a Resource for Our Community - Sh. Omar Suleiman | Making Principled Progress](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/how-yaqeen-is-a-resource-for-our-community-sh-omar-suleiman-making-principled-progress.md)
- [An Imam & A Pastor in Conversation on Loving Jesus](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/an-imam-a-pastor-in-a-loving-conversation-about-jesus.md)
- [Contextualizing the Life and Mission of Jesus | Lecture](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/contextualizing-the-life-and-mission-of-jesus-lecture.md)
- [How Yaqeen Heals Internalized Islamophobia - Dalia Mogahed | Making Principled Progress](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/how-yaqeen-heals-internalized-islamophobia-dalia-mogahed-making-principled-progress.md)
- [How Yaqeen Works to Educate the Public - Dr. Jonathan A.C. Brown | Making Principled Progress](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/how-yaqeen-works-to-educate-the-public-dr-jonathan-a-c-brown-making-principled-progress.md)
- [Personal Accountability in Life and Faith - Sh. Mohammad Elshinawy | Lecture](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/personal-accountability-in-life-and-faith-sh-mohammad-elshinawy-lecture.md)
- [Station of Certainty | Lecture](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/station-of-certainty-lecture.md)
- [Appreciating Scholarship: Intro to Islamic Law - Tesneem Alkiek | Yaqeen in NY](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/appreciating-scholarship-intro-to-islamic-law-tesneem-alkiek-yaqeen-in-ny.md)
- [The Infinitely Merciful and the Question of Hellfire - Mohammad Elshinawy | YM Youth Conference 2017](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/the-infinitely-merciful-and-the-question-of-hellfire-mohammad-elshinawy-ym-youth-conference-2017.md)
- [Atheism: Doubting Your Doubts - Asadullah Ali | Yaqeen in NY](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/atheism-doubting-your-doubts-asadullah-ali-yaqeen-in-ny.md)
- [Seeds of Greatness: Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/seeds-of-greatness-malcolm-x-and-muhammad-ali.md)
- [The Pursuit of Certainty - Sh. Yaser Birjas | Lecture](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/the-pursuit-of-certainty-sh-yaser-birjas.md)
- [Islam, A Coherent Social Justice Tradition | Omar Suleiman | 16th MAS-ICNA Convention](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/islam-a-coherent-social-justice-tradition-omar-suleiman-16th-mas-icna-convention.md)
- [Does Islam Need Saving? An Analysis of Human Rights | Nour Soubani | 16th MAS-ICNA Convention](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/does-islam-need-saving-an-analysis-of-human-rights-nour-soubani-16th-mas-icna-convention.md)
- [Dealing with Isolation: Learning from Islam’s Original Converts - Omar Suleiman | Lecture](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/how-the-brother-of-khadijah-ra-became-the-shaytan-of-quraysh.md)
- [Repentance in Islam, Tawbah A Cornerstone of Faith - Roohi Tahir | 16th MAS-ICNA Convention](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/repentance-in-islam-tawbah-a-cornerstone-of-faith-roohi-tahir-16th-mas-icna-convention.md)
- [Why Do Innocent People Suffer? - Sh Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/why-do-innocent-people-suffer-aleppo-sh-omar-suleiman.md)
- [Reclaiming the Narrative About Our Prophet ﷺ | Part 2](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/reclaiming-the-narrative-about-our-prophet-ﷺ-part-2.md)
- [Reclaiming the Narrative About Our Prophet ﷺ | Part 1](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/reclaiming-the-narrative-about-our-prophet-ﷺ.md)
- [Reviving a Lost Sunnah: Adoption and Foster Care in Islam](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/reviving-a-lost-sunnah-adoption-and-foster-care-in-islam.md)
- [Religious Minorities Under Islamic Rule - Tesneem Alkiek](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/religious-minorities-under-islamic-rule-tasneem-alkiek.md)
- [Dr. Jonathan Brown - How to Approach Hadith - Verifying and Understanding Hadith](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/dr-jonathan-brown-how-to-approach-hadith-verifying-and-understanding-hadith.md)
- [How Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Dealt With His Enemies - Sh Omar Suleiman](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/how-prophet-muhammad-pbuh-dealt-with-his-enemies-sh-omar-suleiman.md)
- [Rise up to Reclaim Our Narrative #SupportYaqeen](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/rise-up-to-reclaim-our-narrative-supportyaqeen.md)
- [Why Some American Muslim Youth Are Doubting Their Faith](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/why-some-american-muslim-youth-are-doubting-their-faith.md)
- [Cultivating Conviction (Yaqeen) - Mohammad Elshinawy](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/cultivating-conviction-yaqeen-mohammad-elshinawy.md)
- [Prophet Muhammad - The Epitome Of Mercy](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/prophet-muhammad-the-epitome-of-mercy.md)
- [Islam’s Take on Modernity and Progress](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/islams-take-on-modernity-and-progress.md)
- [Is Islam to Blame for ISIS?](https://yaqeeninstitute.org/watch/series/lecture/is-islam-to-blame-for-isis.md)