The Muslim Is Antifragile
If something is harmed by volatility, we call it fragile.
If something is resistent to volatility, we call it robust.
If something benefits from volatility, we call it... antifragile.
So there are plenty of things that we consider antifragile:
I was explaining the concept of antifragility to my mentor when he mentioned what I now see as blatantly obvious.
Fitna (meaning trials and tribulations in Arabic) actually came from the concept of heating a metal to separate the pure metal from the impure material (this is another example of antifragility, high volatility/temperature of molecules causes the materials to be separated by density). Tests and suffering are a necessity of this dunya.
Essentially, when fitna/tests comes your way two things happen: you pass by which you become closer to Allah, like a valuable metal becoming purer as a result of the test, or you fail by which you become further away from Allah, like the cheap impure disliked substance that the gold needs to be purified from. Ideally, your faith in Allah should be antifragile. The more tests you get, the stronger your faith in Allah should become. If your faith falters in fitna, then you need to change your system of thinking in order to benefit rather than damage oneself from the volatility associated with fitna and the volatility that is associated with life itself.
Our Prophet shows us the mechanics of these tests. It was narrated from Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:
An absence of tests can actually turn people to forget Allah. For example, the most comfortable countries to live in today show the highest percentages of irreligiosity. Note, irreligiosity did not cause the countries to become comfy, but rather the other way around. Forgetting Allah especially in this dunya that He Himself created for one purpose alone puts the believer in a very very fragile situation; tests would only cause you depression or misotheism which could very well land you in hell.
If something is resistent to volatility, we call it robust.
If something benefits from volatility, we call it... antifragile.
So there are plenty of things that we consider antifragile:
- Bones need to be exposed to moderate volatility in physical stimulus in order to get stronger,
- A population as a whole becomes more fit when exposed to various stresses.
- An organism becomes develops a stronger immune system when it is vaccinated (exposed to a light stress),
- A nation tends to be better bureaucratically administered locally and decentralized (i.e. volatility improves the system).
- An economy tends to perform better when everyone is off doing their own things and not controlled by the government (compare USA vs USSR).
- Your diet improves when there is lots of variation in eating patterns (hunger being one of the variations).
- You can make your own examples.
I was explaining the concept of antifragility to my mentor when he mentioned what I now see as blatantly obvious.
The Muslim is Antifragile.
Fitna (meaning trials and tribulations in Arabic) actually came from the concept of heating a metal to separate the pure metal from the impure material (this is another example of antifragility, high volatility/temperature of molecules causes the materials to be separated by density). Tests and suffering are a necessity of this dunya.
We have tested those before them, for God must distinguish those who are truthful, and He must expose the liars.
(29:3)
[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deeds – and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving
(67:2)
Essentially, when fitna/tests comes your way two things happen: you pass by which you become closer to Allah, like a valuable metal becoming purer as a result of the test, or you fail by which you become further away from Allah, like the cheap impure disliked substance that the gold needs to be purified from. Ideally, your faith in Allah should be antifragile. The more tests you get, the stronger your faith in Allah should become. If your faith falters in fitna, then you need to change your system of thinking in order to benefit rather than damage oneself from the volatility associated with fitna and the volatility that is associated with life itself.
Our Prophet shows us the mechanics of these tests. It was narrated from Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:
Great reward comes with great trials [fitna]. When Allah loves a people, He tests them, and whoever accepts it attains His pleasure, whereas whoever shows discontent with it incurs His wrath.
An absence of tests can actually turn people to forget Allah. For example, the most comfortable countries to live in today show the highest percentages of irreligiosity. Note, irreligiosity did not cause the countries to become comfy, but rather the other way around. Forgetting Allah especially in this dunya that He Himself created for one purpose alone puts the believer in a very very fragile situation; tests would only cause you depression or misotheism which could very well land you in hell.
When adversity afflicts the people, they turn to their Lord, totally devoting themselves to Him. But then, as soon as He showers them with mercy, some of them revert to idol worship.
(30:33)
One of the greatest examples of rigorous testing that caused a pious result was the famous story of Ayyub (as). He was rich, healthy, and had many animals and many children. Then Allah took all that away from him. He lost his wealth, his health (had sores all over his body) and his children. He suffered for decades with his wife. They were so poor that his wife sold her hair as a wig to feed him! As he endured, he grew more conscious of God, thereby passing the test. After, Allah restored his wealth, health, and gave him more children than he had before!
So when you are afflicted with tests, embrace them! You know what to do to pass.
Ask Allah not to cease testing you, but rather, ask Allah to make your faith antifragile and to help you pass the tests he will send you and to have patience like the patience of Ayyub (as)!
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