When holding on to faith is like a burning coal

ByShaykh Haytham Tamim

The Prophet ﷺ said:

يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ الصَّابِرُ فِيهِمْ عَلَى دِينِهِ كَالْقَابِضِ عَلَى الْجَمْرِ

“A time will come when the one who patiently bears the pain and trials of staying true to his religion will be like someone grasping a piece of burning coal.” (Tirmidhi)

We are familiar with this hadith, which the Prophet ﷺ repeated on many occasions with slightly varied wordings. It is particularly relevant to our times. 1400 years ago, he ﷺ predicted the very scenario which we have today. His ﷺ prophecy was supported by revelation, as the Prophet ﷺ never spoke out of his own inclinations, but always in accordance with divine revelation. For the companions, this was a scene from the future, but for us, unfortunately, it is precisely our reality. Unsurprisingly accurate, as it was coming from Allah.

The one who reacts with patience is as-saabir, which is more impactful than al-qabidu. We should reflect on the choice of words, and why one particular word is used over another. There is a deep lesson in it. The Prophet ﷺ was telling us that in the midst of the fitan (challenges, trials and difficulties) you have to be patient. Holding on to our faith would be like holding a red coal in one’s hand.

The burning challenge

Imagine how painful that is. Do we have what it takes to do that? Our instinct would be to drop it. That is the challenge. The burning coal is symbolic, as the challenges feel like they are burning us. Holding on to our values and principles, being a person of truth, justice, and dignity, is not easy.

The word ‘deen’ (religion) which the Prophet ﷺ used in the hadith encompasses all good principles and values. It is not easy to remain a person of justice, honesty, and dignity, when you have to endure temptations, threats, doubts, or ridicule. The believer’s struggle is whether to bear the pain or to let go, as we can be weak in the moment and falter.

The burning coal symbolises the values of justice and goodness, and fighting against evil. If you hold on to these values, it is like a burning coal in your hand. All the while, you will be feeling the pressure to bend and compromise. This is the struggle we face.

Zohran Mamdani

This is what we have seen in the example of Zohran Mamdani.  Though he is human and not infallible, we see him holding on to principles and values. It is possible to face your reality while being true to your values; to stand with the needy and oppressed, and speak out against oppression. Undoubtedly, you will face threats – on the streets, online and offline. This is the challenge – let go or hold fast to your principles, and say, ‘I can do this’.

If, however, the first strike knocks you down, and you are unable to collect yourself, then you are not worthy of any battle. Life is full of many battles and sabr is the quality all leaders need, as well as all guardians and parents.

The Prophet ﷺ is telling us we need to have inner strength and a good personality, and good actions, and no dark history, that can be dug out and used to delete you and attack you.

Islam is a full package which requires sacrifice. Believers who do not make sacrifices are not true believers. This is why the Prophet ﷺ said faith will be like a burning coal in your hand. When you wake up at Fajr, you sacrifice your rest. When you fast in Ramadan, you sacrifice your biryani etc.

Our religion teaches us how to be people of principles, and to be willing to make sacrifices for these principles.

Sabr pays off in dunya and in the akhirah. Allah says those who act with patience will receive their full reward in the akhirah.

إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

“Indeed, those who are patient will be given their reward without measure.” (Surah Az-Zumar, 39:10)

Despite the fact we have plenty of challenges, Mamdani’s example is clear. People are longing for goodness. Regardless of their colour race religion, Allah created in every human being,  the the fitrah, which is longing in the heart for purity and goodness, like being honest, kind and just. This is intrinsic, not just for Muslims, but shared by all humans universally.

When you apply these principles in your life, you will gain the fruits of that. However, it comes with full package. As you have profit and loss, and risk in business, you have profit and loss when you trade with Allah, but it always pays off. So stay strong, because the reward is multiplied by 50. No matter how hard the trials, temptations and threats, Allah will give you a way out of these calamities.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«إِنَّ مِنْ وَرَائِكُمْ أَيَّامَ الصَّبْرِ، لِلصَّابِرِ فِيهِنَّ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ خَمْسِينَ رَجُلًا يَعْمَلُونَ مِثْلَ عَمَلِكُمْ».
قِيلَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، أَجْرُ خَمْسِينَ مِنْهُمْ؟
قَالَ: «بَلْ أَجْرُ خَمْسِينَ مِنْكُمْ».

“Ahead of you are days of patience, in which whoever remains patient upon his religion will have the reward of fifty men who act as you do.”

The Companions asked:

“O Messenger of Allah, the reward of fifty of them (those people)?”

He replied:

“No, the reward of fifty of you.” (Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah)

As always, the Prophet ﷺ taught us to be optimistic. Even in the darkest moments, he ﷺ would see the light. During the difficulties, he would see the solutions. There is always hope, when we rely on Allah and follow the guidance of His Messenger ﷺ.

O Allah, make us among those who cling firmly to the truth, remain steadfast upon it, and never compromise, no matter the trial.

Based on the khutbah of Shaykh Haytham Tamim on 7th November 2025

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