Ibn Ata'illah on Affliction

He has afflicted you from every direction in order to pull you back to the Directionless.

Maulana Rumi

Ibn Ata'illah said:
You will perhaps find a benefit in distress which you have not been able to find in fasting nor in prayer; therefore when it descends upon you, defend yourself no longer and do not be concerned with searching for some remedy, lest you drive away the good which comes toward you freely, and give up your will entirely to your Lord; then you will see marvels. [p. 33]

You who are "poor" (fuqara), if you wish that your wind may prevail over all winds and all adversaries, then be constant in contemplating your Lord while He is trying you, for He will change your ignorance into knowledge, your weakness into strength, your helplessness into power, your poverty into wealth, your lowliness into glory, your loneliness into intimacy, your remoteness into nearness - or, in word, God, be He exalted, will cover over your qualities with His qualities, for He is generous and bestows immeasurable graces. [p. 40]


Excerpts taken from a scholars blog, unfortunately, I can't remember his name and blog. He had translated Ibn Ata'illah's pieces above.