By: Ki Pekathik
Wisdom in Facing Trials – Life always flows, carrying with it currents of events that are not always in line with our expectations. There are times when the path feels light, yet there are also moments when the burdens seem to double upon our shoulders.
Trials, in whatever form they come, are part of every human journey. What determines the outcome is how one walks through them—with an open heart and a clear mind.
Patience is born from the awareness that every trial carries meaning, demanding perseverance while teaching wisdom in response. A patient person does not fall into complaints but strives to understand the hidden lesson behind events, holding back from rushing into decisions, and choosing instead to weigh things with calm reasoning.
A wise attitude in facing trials means viewing every difficulty as an opportunity to grow. Wisdom prevents one from being trapped in anger or despair. It helps reveal the light behind the darkness, guiding the heart to remain convinced that every hardship has its appointed end.
Patience and wisdom walk side by side. Without wisdom, patience would be nothing more than a passive waiting that exhausts the soul. With wisdom, patience becomes an active force that shapes character. Those who are both patient and wise use the time of trial to refine themselves, broaden their understanding, and strengthen their faith.
When storms come, the patient do not busy themselves counting how long the rain will fall. They prepare their hearts to remain upright, while looking ahead, awaiting the sun’s return.
Facing trials with patience also means guarding words and actions so as not to deepen the wound—either upon oneself or others. Wisdom teaches that words can be medicine or poison, and thus the wise choose to sow peace through gentle speech.
In the end, patience accompanied by wisdom gives birth to a person who is stronger, wiser, and more prepared for the next challenge. Life may not always be easy, but a patient heart and a wise mind will always find a way to walk calmly, whatever may come.
The Hadith Text
عَنْ أَنَسٍ بْنِ مَالِكٍ – رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ – قَالَ:
كَانَ ابْنٌ لِأَبِي طَلْحَةَ يَشْتَكِي، فَخَرَجَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ، فَقُبِضَ الصَّبِيُّ، فَلَمَّا رَجَعَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ قَالَ: «مَاذَا فَعَلَ ابْنِي؟» قَالَتْ أُمُّ سُلَيْمٍ: «هُوَ أَسْكَنُ مَا كَانَ». فَقَرَّبَتْ إِلَيْهِ الْعَشَاءَ فَتَعَشَّى، ثُمَّ أَصَابَ مِنْهَا. فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ قَالَتْ: «وَارِ الصَّبِيَّ». فَلَمَّا أَصْبَحَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ أَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَأَخْبَرَهُ، فَقَالَ: «أَعْرَسْتُمُ اللَّيْلَةَ؟» قَالَ: «نَعَمْ.» قَالَ: «اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَهُمَا.» فَوَلَدَتْ غُلَامًا. قَالَ لِي أَبُو طَلْحَةَ: احْفَظْهُ حَتَّى تُؤْتَيهِ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ. فَأَتَيْتُ بِهِ، وَأَرْسَلَتْ مَعَهُ بِتَمَرَاتٍ. فَأَخَذَهُ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ، فَقَالَ: «أَمَعَهُ شَيْءٌ؟» قَالُوا: «نَعَمْ، تَمَرَاتٌ.» فَأَخَذَهَا النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فَمَضَغَهَا، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ مِنْ فِيهِ، فَجَعَلَهَا فِي فَمِ الصَّبِيِّ، وَحَنَّكَهُ بِهَا، وَسَمَّاهُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ.
(HR. Muslim, no. 2144; also narrated in Musnad Ahmad)
Translation of the Hadith
From Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), he said:
The son of Abu Talhah was sick, and while Abu Talhah went out, the child passed away. When Abu Talhah returned, he asked, “How is my son?” Umm Sulaym replied, “He is more at peace than ever before.” She then served him dinner, and Abu Talhah ate. Afterwards, they were intimate. Once they were finished, Umm Sulaym said, “Bury the child.”
The next morning, Abu Talhah went to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and informed him of what had happened. The Prophet ﷺ asked, “Did you have relations last night?” He replied, “Yes.” The Prophet ﷺ then said:
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَهُمَا
“O Allah, bless them both.”
As a result of this supplication, Umm Sulaym conceived and gave birth to a son. Abu Talhah told Anas to take the baby to the Prophet ﷺ. Along with the baby, Umm Sulaym sent some dates. The Prophet ﷺ asked, “Is there anything with him?” They replied, “Yes, some dates.”
The Prophet ﷺ chewed the dates, then placed them into the baby’s mouth (tahnik), and named him Abdullah.
Context of the Event
This hadith narrates an episode in the household of the companions of the Prophet ﷺ — Abu Talhah and his wife, Umm Sulaym.
Umm Sulaym was known as a steadfast, intelligent, and wise woman. When their child fell ill and passed away, she received her husband with remarkable composure. She did not immediately announce the death, lest her husband be shaken after his long day. Instead, she prepared dinner and kept his heart at ease before breaking the news.
Baca Juga:
Ulasan Filosofis Dan Spiritual Jalan Pulang https://sabilulhuda.org/ulasan-filosofis-dan-spiritual-jalan-pulang/
Lessons to Be Learned
1. Patience and Composure in Calamity
Most people panic and weep uncontrollably when losing a loved one, especially a child. Yet Umm Sulaym demonstrated admirable patience. She chose the right time to reveal the news, teaching us that patience is not merely withholding tears, but also controlling one’s reactions and preserving the feelings of others.
Allah ﷻ says:
وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ
“Give glad tidings to those who are patient.” (Qur’an 2:155)
2. Wisdom in Delivering Sad News
Her words, “He is more at peace than before,” were truthful—her son had indeed found peace in death. Yet, she delivered the news gently, preparing her husband’s heart to face reality. This shows that conveying painful news requires careful and compassionate communication.
3. The Prophet’s Supplication of Blessing
The Prophet ﷺ did not only respond with empathy but also supplicated for them:
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَهُمَا
“O Allah, bless them both.”
This prayer was answered—Umm Sulaym soon conceived and gave birth to a son, Abdullah bin Abi Talhah. From his descendants came many scholars.
4. The Sunnah of Tahnik and Naming
When Abdullah was born, Anas brought him to the Prophet ﷺ with some dates. The Prophet ﷺ chewed the dates and performed tahnik, placing them into the baby’s mouth, and named him Abdullah.
Medically, this provided soft nourishment and stimulated the baby’s mouth muscles. Spiritually, it was a profound blessing.
5. Calamity Replaced with Goodness
In Islam, calamities endured with patience are replaced by goodness. The loss of their child was a severe test, but their faith led to greater blessings—a son born under the Prophet’s ﷺ supplication.
Precious Takeaways
- Patience is the strength of the soul—not the absence of sorrow, but the control of it.
- Wise communication can lighten the burden of grief.
- The supplications of the righteous, especially the Prophet ﷺ, bring true blessings.
- Reviving the sunnah of tahnik and giving a good name are noble acts at a child’s birth.
- Calamities, when faced with faith and trust in Allah, become gates to reward.
Relevance to Modern Life
This story is timeless. Today, when families face calamities, many fall into blame or prolonged grief. From Umm Sulaym we learn:
- Calamities must be faced with a cool head.
- Protecting a spouse’s emotions is part of worship.
- Trusting in Allah’s blessing through prayer is the greatest strength.
Her wisdom in softening the blow of tragedy can even serve as a model in conflict management and crisis response today.
The story of Umm Sulaym, Abu Talhah, and the Prophet’s ﷺ supplication is not merely history—it is a guide for life. Patience, wisdom, and divine blessing are three pillars that can keep a family strong amidst life’s storms.
May Allah ﷻ grant us patience like Umm Sulaym, steadfast faith like Abu Talhah, and the blessing of life through the Prophet’s ﷺ supplications.
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنَا مِنَ الصَّابِرِينَ، وَبَارِكْ فِينَا وَفِي ذُرِّيَّاتِنَا
“O Allah, make us among the patient, and bless us and our descendants.”
Baca Juga: 20 Akhlak Pribadi seorang Guru Menurut KH Hasyim Asy’ari
