How is it possible to have benefits in tribulation? Isn't it all about pain, suffering, and sadness?

Knowledge for the seeker!. knowledge is wealth and studying knowledge is increasing that wealth - The wealth of a scholar is his/her knowledge that others may benefit from.

God the Most High is all-hearing all-knowing, all-seeing, all-wise one - He is the knower of the seen and unseen and knows what is beneficial for us.. for those who take time out in solitude to contemplate and reflect. We ask of Him what we want but he gives us what we actually need. Sometimes things don't go to as planned as much as we wanted it or desired it to be.. but with insight you will see that actually what happened was better for you in some shape or form. Sometimes you will see God's wisdom and intelligence in His planning and sometimes you can't understand it at all, because of our own limited thinking and wisdom. We have to accept and acknowledge our limitations as human's.

Going through tough and difficult times is part of the journey of life in this temporal world and its not easy, its really tough and can be heart-breaking.

Spiritual and self development, training, growth and experience of knowing how to put total and complete trust in God (Tawakul) that Inshallah you will get through it. How to deal with matters and situations that we face on a daily basis in this chaotic and busy world.. with daily dua's and supplications from Prophetic tradition.

Hope you all benefit from this enlightening lecture by Hamza Yusuf.

The Noble Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), was someone who went through unparralleled hardships, and yet he never allowed any difficulties to perturb him.. he always remained a vibrant personality being positive and hopeful. In one very powerful and condensed session, Hamza Yusuf explains why.

Commentating on the treatise of the 7th century scholar 'Izz ibn Abdul-Salam, he reveals seventeen benefits of tribulations for those who would see them. Not only will this lecture completely transform your outlook on calamities, but it will also leave you in total awe of God's magnanimity and infinite mercy...

Being patient is the most difficult medicine to take and it doesn't taste good either, tastes horrible, but its a very beneficial medicine for your spiritual immune system. Patience is extremely difficult.. but the reward and enlightenment, wisdom behind patience is very great. A great station/level to be on! Seek help in patience and prayer, for the dua/supplication to God is a powerful tool.

Hamza Yusuf was born in the U.S.A - Washington state to a Catholic father and a Greek Orthodox mother. He was raised with eclectic ideas about God and religion, and baptised into Orthodox Church of the Greek Diocese in the States.

Hamza began to study religious traditions at a young age (being curious), eventually leading to his discovery of Islam, the way of life he embraced at the age of 17. Thereafter he studied and travelled extensively in the Muslim world for ten years, to places like U.A.E, Saudi Arabia, as well as North and West Africa. Travelling in his search for acquring true knowledge of Islam and its branches of sciences.. his thirst for "golden knowledge" and "treasures for the seeker" led him to the uncorrupted desert bedoiun scholars in Africa who taught him true real authentic spiritual Islamic knowledge and enlightenment... the message of Islam... "Peace with himself, with his Creator, the environment, other living beings & creatures", based on works by great Islamic scholars of the past.

He also became fluent in Arabic language and then began his studies of the traditional Islamic sciences under the tutelage of some of the greatest Muslim scholars of our age. He received teaching licenses in various Islamic subjects from several well-known scholars in various countries.

After Ten years of studies and learning he returned to the USA and completed his Western education, obtaining a degree in Religious Studies at San Jose State University in California and a degree in Health Care.

Words/terminology used in the lecture:

Umar (ra): 2nd Caliph of Islam and companion of Muhammad (pbuh)
Abu Bakr (ra): 1st Caliph of Islam and companion of Muhammad (pbuh)

Messenger of Allah: Title of Muhammad (pbuh)
Hilm = Forbearence
Hikmah = Wisdom
Eman = Faith
Madhab = Refers to the 4 schools of Islamic thought (methodology/fiqh)
Ulama = legal scholars
Bismillah = In the name of God
Hasad = Jealously (known as a disease of the heart) a negative trait of the heart
Hilm: Intellect
Safaha: One without intellect
Iblis = The former name of Satan/devil before he was disgraced/downgraded
Nas = Man/mankind
Rutba = Rank/status

Other superb lectures by Hamza Yusuf for learning and knowledge:
Alchemy of Happiness
Purification of the Heart
Refinement of the Heart
Life of Muhammad (s)

'In the Early Hours' by Khurram Murad (Reflections on spritual and self development)