When All the Supports Collapse, Where Does Our Heart Hang?

Recently, parts of Sumatra have been hit by floods. Houses were submerged, property was swept away, fields were damaged, vehicles were lost, and even lives were lost. For many families, what has been accumulated for years seems to disappear in a matter of hours. Cries were heard in refugee camps, prayers were offered in trembling voices, and human hearts were tested at their deepest point.

In the midst of events like this, we are reminded of one important fact: Loss is a reality of life that cannot be avoided. Some have lost their wealth, some have lost their sense of security, some have lost loved ones, and some have lost almost all their worldly support at once. However, what matters most is not the magnitude of the loss, but rather how the heart responds to it. Is he becoming more submissive to Allah? Exalted, or instead drown in complaints and despair.

Many people—without realizing it—measure God’s love Drug with living comfort. As long as the house is intact and the sustenance is good, they feel that Allah is blessing them. But when the flood comes, wealth disappears, and life feels cramped, a whisper appears: “Why did God do this?” In fact, the measure of Allah’s pleasure Drug not many or few worlds, but rather the steadfastness of faith when the test comes.

So, what we need to instill in ourselves is that loss—both property and life—is a reflection of faith. The disaster that befell has revealed who truly relies on Allah, and who has only depended on the world.

Disaster and sunnatullah

Allah Drug has emphasized from the start that life in this world is never free from trials. Allah says,

Indeed, We will test you with fear, hunger and loss of wealth, life and fruits. And convey good news to those who are patient.

“And indeed We will test you with a little fear, hunger, lack of wealth, life and fruit. And convey good news to those who are patient.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 155)

This verse feels very close to the reality of the flood disaster that occurred. Lack of possessions, loss of life, fear, and uncertainty—all are real before our eyes. However, the Qur’an teaches that all of this is not a sign of Allah’s hatred, but is part of it sunnatullah

Believers are not promised a disaster-free life. What was promised was help, reward, and promotion for those who are patient. In fact, often times, disaster is a form of God’s love so that a servant can return to his senses, return to straightness, and return his heart to the Lord of the worlds.

If someone is struck by a disaster then he walks away from Allah Exalted, then he lost twice: the world is lost and the afterlife is threatened. However, if disaster makes him even more submissive, then in fact he is being saved – even though outwardly he appears to have lost everything.

Also read: Why Disasters Continue to Strike

The essence of glory

The floods that hit Sumatra made us realize how fragile the world’s treasures are. A solid home, an expensive vehicle, and years of savings can disappear overnight. This is where God reveals the error of human perspective regarding wealth and glory.

Allah Drug said,

As for man, when his Lord tests him and glorifies him and bestows blessings on him, he says, “My Lord has glorified me.”

But when He tested him and took away his sustenance, he said, “O my Lord, I am humiliated.”

“As for man, if his Lord tests him, then glorifies him, and gives him pleasure, then he says, ‘My Lord has glorified me.’

But when his Lord tested him and limited his sustenance, he said, ‘My Lord has humiliated me.’ (QS. Al-Fajr: 15–16)

My brother, breadth of sustenance is not a sign of glory, and narrowness of sustenance is not a sign of humiliation. Both are tests. The flood disaster is not a measure of the humiliation of a region or a race, but rather a test of faith.

Look, there are quite a few people whose wealth is abundant, but their hearts are empty of dhikr. On the other hand, there are those who lose almost everything, but instead find closeness to God Drug. So the most important question is not, “What’s floating?” but “What remains in the heart?”

The Salaf in the past were not afraid of poverty. They are afraid that the world will break their hearts. Because a world that is small but strengthens faith is far more valuable than an abundant world that neglects.

When all supports are removed

Flood disasters often uproot everything from the world: homes, jobs, a sense of security, and the future that has been planned. It is at this point that the essence of trust is tested.

Allah Drug said,

And whoever relies on Allah, Allah is sufficient for him.

“Whoever puts his trust in Allah, Allah will surely give him sustenance.” (QS. Ath-Thalaq: 3)

Tawakal does not mean giving up without trying. The flood victims are still trying: saving their families, seeking help, and rebuilding their lives. However, their hearts learned one important thing: The outcome is completely in God’s hands Drug.

Sometimes, God Drug take something from us so that we can return to making God our only support. If wealth goes astray but trust increases, then it is not just a disaster, but a hidden blessing.

A trusting heart does not panic easily, does not sink into despair, and does not lose hope. He believes that whatever Allah takes, it must contain wisdom; and Allah is Able to replace it, although not always in the same form.

Patience and contentment

The Prophet ﷺ said,

How amazing is the affairs of the believer, because all his affairs are good, and they do not belong to anyone except the believer. If something good befalls him, then he is grateful, and it is good for him, even if good befalls him. He was patient in facing difficulties, and that was better for him

“The condition of a believer is truly extraordinary. All his affairs are good. This will not be found except in a believer. If he gets pleasure then he is grateful. (HR. Muslim no. 2999)

This hadith is a strength for every soul affected by a disaster. Loss is not destruction, as long as patience and faith are maintained.

A Muslim should not get lost in questions, “Why is this happening to me?” but moving on to a more useful question, “What does God want to improve about me?” This is where disaster turns into a means of lifting one’s rank.

Sadness is natural. However, the tongue is protected from complaints that blame fate, the heart is protected from prejudice towards Allah, and the body parts are protected from immorality. Rida is accepting Allah’s decree calmly, because we believe that Allah knows what we don’t know.

Salvation of faith

The flood disaster in Sumatra teaches us that this world is truly temporary. Not all loss is bad, and not all loss is good. There is loss that saves faith, and there is spaciousness that slowly destroys the heart.

If disaster makes us prostrate more often, be more honest in prayer, care more about others, and long for the afterlife more, then we have not really lost anything. We are simply being moved from fragile support to strong support.

God willing Drug provide patience and help to our brothers and sisters who are affected by the flood, replace what is lost with greater good, and make every disaster a way back to Him. Because in the end, what is most valuable is not what we have in the world, but the condition of our hearts when we meet God Drug.

Also read: A Muslim’s Attitude in Facing Disasters

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Writer: Fauzan Hidayat

Article Muslim.or.id