Endurance and divine recompense in grief

291. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said in condoling Ash‘ath ibn Qays about (the death of) his son:

O’ Ash‘ath, if you grieve over your son, certainly it is the consequence of the blood relationship; but if you endure, then Allāh provides recompense for every affliction.

O’ Ash‘ath, if you endure even then matters will move on as ordained by Allāh but in that case you will deserve reward; while if you lose patience, matters will again move as ordained by Allāh, but in this case you will be bearing the burden (of sins).

O’ Ash‘ath, your son (when he lived) gave you happiness while, at the same time, he was a trial and hardship and (when he died) he grieved you while, at the same time, he has proved a source of reward and mercy for you.