The Strong Believer

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: «الْمُؤْمِنُ الْقَوِيُّ خَيْرٌ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِ الضَّعِيفِ، وَفِي كُلٍّ خَيْرٌ. احْرِصْ عَلَى مَا يَنْفَعُكَ، وَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللَّهِ وَلَا تَعْجَزْ. وَإِنْ أَصَابَكَ شَيْءٌ فَلَا تَقُلْ: لَوْ أَنِّي فَعَلْتُ كَانَ كَذَا وَكَذَا، وَلَكِنْ قُلْ: قَدَرُ اللَّهِ وَمَا شَاءَ فَعَلَ، فَإِنَّ لَوْ تَفْتَحُ عَمَلَ الشَّيْطَانِ».

*صحيح مسلم، 2664.*

English meaning

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that a strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than a weak believer, although there is goodness in both. Seek what benefits you, ask Allah for help, and do not give up. If something difficult happens, do not keep saying, “If only I had done this or that.” Instead, accept Allah’s decree.

What Makes a Believer Strong?

A strong believer has faith in Allah and tries to do what is right. Strength is not only about being physically strong. It takes strength to pray, tell the truth, help someone, and try again after a mistake. The hadith reminds us that there is goodness in every believer, so we should encourage others as we grow.

Why Should We Be Careful with “If Only”?

Imagine that you worked hard for a test but did not get the mark you wanted. You might keep thinking, “If only I had changed that answer!” These thoughts cannot change what happened. Repeating them may make you feel more upset and stop you from moving forward.

The hadith does not tell us to ignore our mistakes. We can learn from them: “Next time, I will revise earlier and ask my teacher for help.” Learning from the past is useful. Staying trapped in regret is not.

قَدَرُ اللَّهِ وَمَا شَاءَ فَعَلَ

English transliteration: *Qadarullāhi wa mā shā’a fa‘al.*

English translation: “Allah has decreed, and He does what He wills.”

These words remind us that Allah knows what has happened, even when we do not understand it. Saying them helps us accept a difficult result and find the courage to continue. We can feel disappointed, learn a lesson, and still trust Allah.

The order of the hadith is important: make an effort, ask Allah for help, and keep trying. Then, when the result comes, trust Allah’s decree. A strong believer does their best and does not lose hope.