Saying 'to God we belong' at a calamity (istirja')

The Sheikh says people are tested with fear, hunger and loss of wealth, lives and fruits, giving examples from his time: a reduced salary, being suddenly let go, a reshuffle of ministers and directors; he urges not attaching oneself to anything passing. ^{1 2 3} He mentions the good news for the patient who, when struck by calamity, say 'to God we belong and to Him we return', explaining 'to God we belong' as the servant being counted as his Lord's, his prayer, rites, life and death being for God. ^{4 5}

He says a calamity does not send a registered letter announcing that it will come next week or after the feast; it descends on hearts, and the heart connected to God knows that it is God who tested it. ^{5 6} He gives the example of a three-year-old prescribed an injection, who understands only the pain and wonders at his father and mother holding his arm; it is not cruelty, but because the injection holds his cure, and God's is the highest likeness. ^{6 7 8}

He holds that in saying the istirja' the servant surrenders and makes peace with his Lord, and so is among those upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy; he explains God's blessing as mercy, tenderness, kindness and divine support descending as coolness and calm on the heart of the afflicted, so that people marvel at his patience. ^{8 9 10 11} He mentions that the most severely tested are the prophets, then the best and the next best, and that whoever passes forty days without a test should review his accounts with God; this is his saying. ^{12 13} See also: patience and trial.

The Sheikh relates the hadith qudsi that when the angels take a servant's child, God asks: what did My servant say? They say: he praised You and said 'to God we belong'; and He says: build for My servant a house in Paradise and call it the House of Praise; he mentions the joining of offspring to their believing parents, and children who die young becoming forerunners for their parents at the Basin. ^{14 15 16 17} He holds that one should not remain grieving for a child but pray for mercy on him and set up continuing charity for him, such as sponsoring a gifted student through to graduation. ^{14 15}