Bermuda has had its fair share of tragedies, specifically in the past few months and weeks. Catastrophes just keep on coming.

Alas, I don’t think there are many in our small community who have not been affected in some way or another, either directly or indirectly by these sad events. Many of us have felt the pain that has woven throughout our community. We all grieve at the loss of life; of losing loved ones. Indeed to lose loved ones, is the hardest of trials.

We ask ourselves why? Why does life have to be so fragile yet so harsh?

There are many trials in this life, and I repeat, the hardest is that of losing a loved one. It’s the ultimate trial. This trial leaves us hurt, angry, questioning. Why, why, why? Unfortunately, there is no conclusive answer for this question.

However, Muslims believe that trials test our faith as the following Hadith depicts: “Tests are given to us to strengthen our iman (faith). Verily a trial remains with a servant until he walks the Earth having no sin left upon him.” (Bukhari)

We see trials as a purification of the soul, a purging that brings us closer to God. Allah also warns His believers that there will be many trials.

In the Koran, Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 214, asks: “Do you think you will be admitted into Paradise without being tested like those before you?” The verse continues: “They were afflicted with suffering and adversity and were so shaken that even the Messenger and the believers with him cried out, ‘When will Allah's help come?’ Indeed, Allah's help is always near.”

We all deal with tragedy in different ways. I remember growing up my Granny Stubbs would say that everyone has trials, some seem to have more than others. Trials are issues of relationships, health, wealth, finance and the list goes on. My granny said it’s who we go to that will help us overcome these trials. Well, I know she was talking about God and, Alhamdulillah, I have learnt and proven that God is the trial-buster.

Some believe that we should never have trials especially if we are “living right”.  This is so unrealistic as this life is full of trials and they keep coming, unrelenting, one after another.

There is one Hadith in which the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) tells us that the people who face the harshest trials are the prophets and of course this is true, throughout the scriptures, we see the very chosen ones underwent the hardest trials.

Allah says in the following ayah: “And surely we shall try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and crops; but give glad tidings to the patient, who says, when afflicted with calamity: ‘To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return’. They are those on whom (descend) blessings from Allah, and mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance.” (Al-Baqarah, 2:155-157).

We believe that in the end, it will be for good.

Bermuda, let us keep the faith, pray for strength and understanding to bear our trials triumphantly and in a way that is pleasing to God.

My prayer is that a peace that surpasses all understanding is bestowed upon all the grieving families. Let us, the community support them in anyway we can.

As salaam alaikum (peace be unto you).

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam