1a] Every cloud has a silver lining

1a]
In this case a person will be rewarded for what is in his heart of
loving good and hating evil, and so on,but grief in itself, if it
leads to failure to do that which is enjoined, namelypatience, jihad,
seeking benefits and warding off harm, is forbidden, but if the person
does not give it up, and it is not recorded as a sin for him then he
is fine."
So the one who wishes that Allaah would change his situation without
any effort on his part and thatof others like him needs to understand
this.
6 – Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Verily, We sent (Messengers) to many nations before you (O Muhammad).
And We seized them with extremepoverty (or loss in wealth)and loss in
health (with calamities) so that they might humble themselves(believe
with humility)"
[al-'An'aam 6:42]
al-Sa'di (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: (This means) We sent
(Messengers) to the nations who came before you, and they disbelieved
in Our Messengers and rejected Our signs. So We seized them with
poverty,sickness, calamities and disasters as a mercy from Us to them,
so that they might humble themselvesbefore us and turn to Us at times
of hardship.
And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Evil (sins and disobedience to Allaah) has appeared on land andsea
because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil
deeds), that He (Allaah) may make them taste a part of that which they
have done, in order that they may return (by repenting to Allaah, and
begging His Pardon)"
[al-Room 30:41]
al-Sa'di interprets the word fasaad (translated here as "evil") as
referringto the disasters that develop on land and sea, which are
making people's lives difficult and causing a lot of problems with
regard to their livelihood and well-being.
And the disasters that befall them themselves, such as diseases,
plagues and the like, which happen because of the things their own
hands have wrought of evil deeds that can only lead to bad
consequences.
This phrase "that He (Allaah) may make them taste a part of that which
they have done" means, so that they might know that Allaah is
requiting them for their deeds, so He gives them a foretaste of the
recompense of their deeds in this world, "in order that they may
return (by repenting to Allaah, and begging His Pardon)" i.e., repent
from their deeds that have had this bad effect on them, and set their
affairs straight.
Glory be to the One Who blesses by means of His punishment, for if He
were to make them taste all that they have done, no living creature
would be left alive on earth.
7 – Worship at times of hardship and tribulation has a special flavour
and aspecial reward.
It was narrated from Ma'qil ibn Yasaar that the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Worshipping at times of
tribulation and confusion is like migrating to join me." Narrated by
Muslim, 2948.
Al-Nawawi said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said, 'Worshipping at times of tribulation and confusion is like
migrating to join me.' The reason why worship at such times is of such
great virtue is thatpeople become negligent about worship and are
distracted from it, and no one focuses on worship except a few."
Al-Qurtubi said: "Tribulation and great hardship will happen untilthe
matter of religion is taken lightly and people will care about nothing
but their worldly affairs and how to earn a living. So worship becomes
very important at times of tribulation, as Muslim narrated from Ma'qil
ibn Yasaar in the marfoo' report: 'Worshipping at times of tribulation
and confusion is like migratingto join me.'"
8 – Blessings that come after pain, hardship and calamity are more
precious to people.
So then they appreciate the blessings of good health and safety as
they should be appreciated.
Another of the benefits of calamity is a reminder of how Allaah has
blessed man, because the man who is created with sight – for example –
forgets the blessing of sight and does not really appreciateit, but if
Allaah tests him with temporary blindness,then restores to him his
sight, he will fully understand the value of this blessing. If things
are always easy a person mayforget this blessing and not be grateful
for it, so Allaah takes it away and then restores it, as a reminder to
him to be grateful for it.
Calamity may remind the person to whom it happens and others of
theblessings of Allaah. So when a person sees one who is insane, he
appreciates the blessing of sanity; when he sees one who is sick, he
appreciates the blessing of sound health. When he sees a kaafir who is
living like cattle, he appreciates the blessing of faith. When he sees
an ignorantman he appreciates the blessing of knowledge. Only the one
whose heart is open will feel this. :->