What is the required demeanor and action for one afflicted by a calamity?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Funerals
Primary text
The afflicted person must seek aid from God Almighty, find solace in His decree, and adhere to His command to seek patience (sabr) and prayer (Salah). They must anticipate the reward promised to the patient, as stated in the Quran: "And give good tidings to the patient" (Quran 2:155), "Those who, when disaster strikes them, say, 'Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return'" (Quran 2:156), and "Those will have blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided" (Quran 2:157). Furthermore, if a servant suffers the loss of a child, God commands His angels, and upon learning the servant praised Him and recited the *Istirja*, He commands them to build a house for the servant in Paradise called 'Bayt al-Hamd' (The House of Praise). This is supported by the narration found in Jami' at-Tirmidhi, classified as Hasan Gharib.
Supporting text
The afflicted must avoid speaking anything that invalidates their reward and incurs God's displeasure, such as complaints or seeking relief, because God is just. When Abu Salamah died, the Prophet commanded not to invoke curses upon oneself except with good, because the angels affirm what is said.