These hardships are like a drop. But if one follows Prophetic guidance, remains patient, and keeps moving forward. When he reaches Paradise, the treasures of Paradise are greater than oceans. So, when he reaches such immense treasures, what significance will that drop of hardship have?
Rather, the more hardship one faces in following the correct path, the higher the rank (reward) will be. That is why it is mentioned that if, while following Prophetic guidance, a person faces difficulties in this world and patiently endures them, then the ranks earned through patience will be very high.
At that time, the ones who didn’t face hardships will wish: ‘If only our bodies had been cut with saws while walking on the path of Deen, and we had shown patience, then today we too would have attained higher ranks.’
Jabir narrated that the Prophet
said: “On the Day of Judgement, when the people who were tried in this world are given their rewards, the people who were pardoned (witnessing the reward) will wish that their skins had been cut off with scissors while they were in the world.”
(Tirmidhi 2402)
So those who lived in comfort and good health in this world and performed righteous deeds but did not face hardships, and never had the opportunity to exercise patience. When they reach Paradise, they will be in lower ranks.
But those who endured hardships for their faith and remained patient will have a higher rank.
