Through Hardship, Into Light : Reflections on facing difficulties

How often have you felt overwhelmed when difficulties arise? especially when they seem to come like a set of waves one straight after the other, each one hitting harder than the last. The mind races, the heart pounds, and for a moment, it feels like there’s no way out … then suddenly you’re drowning

Panic can make problems seem bigger than they are, and fear can cloud the path ahead. But I’ve come to realize that in those moments, when I feel lost, there is always one place that brings me back to the peace I need to feel to be able to move forwards .

My prayer mat….

In the quiet corner of my room,it glows like the light from a door slightly ajar—a reminder that no matter how uncertain things seem, Allah is always near.

No matter how many times I’ve struggled, no matter how many times I’ve questioned, one thing has never changed: the comfort I find when I turn to Him. His presence is a constant, His mercy is limitless, and His guidance is always there for those who seek it.

“And indeed, my Lord is with me, and He will guide me.” (Qur’an 26:62)

This verse is my anchor. It reminds me that I am never alone, that no challenge is too great, and that Allah is always making a way—even if I can’t see it yet. Because everything, both the good and the bad, every difficulty and every ease, is all part of Allah’s plan. Sometimes, we only understand the wisdom behind our struggles much later, but in the moment, we are asked to trust.

And through these difficulties, there is always ease. Allah promises us this:

“For indeed, with hardship comes ease. Indeed, with hardship comes ease.” (Qur’an 94:5-6)

This isn’t just a hopeful thought—it’s a divine truth. Every test carries within it a door to something better, a lesson, a strength we didn’t know we had, a closeness to Allah we might not have reached otherwise.

So in every hardship, I turn to Him. Not with fear, but with trust. Not with despair, but with hope. Because He listens in a way no one else does. He understands in a way no one else can. And He cares more deeply than anyone ever could. With every prayer, with every whispered du’a, I find reassurance that whatever comes next, I won’t face it alone.

And that thought alone is enough to bring peace to my heart.