• exposes the audience to emotions and struggles of people/characters

• E.g. The story of Prophet Nuh AS

2. Makes us care and understand about their experiences

• When characters endure loss, failure, injustice, etc. viewers and readers could reflect those emotions within their own lives or in the lives of others.

3. Aligns with the concept of Rahmah (compassion and mercy)

• "And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds." (Surah Al-Anbiya':107)

• The above ayat proves that Islam encourages the feeling of empathy towards others and we should strive to follow it

Growth through hardships teaches us resilience and wisdom. Facing challenges forces individuals to develop problem-solving skills, patience, and emotional strength. Overcoming obstacles broadens perspectives, enabling individuals to empathize with others and view life with deeper understanding. Self-reflection during tough times helps cultivate humility and encourages thoughtful decision-making.

In Islam, hardships and challenges are seen as tests from Allah to help believers grow in faith and character. The Qur’an states:

“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:155)

Through these tests, believers learn patience (sabr), gratitude (shukr), and trust in Allah’s plan (tawakkul). Difficulties serve as a reminder of human dependency on Allah and the temporary nature of worldly life.

From an Islamic lens, growth through wisdom involves understanding that challenges are opportunities for spiritual refinement, drawing closer to Allah, and becoming more compassionate towards others. The process of enduring trials with patience and faith strengthens the soul, making it wiser and more resilient.

• Islam emphasises learning from the past.

• this doesn't have to be ourselves who experienced it, but we also can learn and reflect ourselves in someone's story and take lessons from theirs.

• sometimes when we see other people's mistakes, it reminds us to be extra careful on deciding/doing something so we can learn from their mistakes without actually facing the same problems.

• eg: the stories of Pharaoh or Qarun

2. Seeing ourselves in the story

• in Islam, self-reflection (muhasabah) is encouraged. whenever we see a character's flaws in a story, we are reminded to check ourselves and work on our weaknesses.

• eg: in a situation / someone's story that is bad, which that person is an arrogant type of person to the point where he abandon his family for the sake of wealth. so, we can start reflect ourselves and think "if i were in that situation, will i do the same?". from here, we will start noticing our own flaws and therefore, we can work on them.

3. motivating change

• sometimes it doesn't have to be something that is good to motivate ourselves, but otherwise also will do.

• eg: if someone fails because they gave up too early (shows failure), it reminds us to work harder in order to success.

Hardship forces us to step out of our comfort zones. It challenges our limits and encourages us to discover strengths we didn’t know we had. These experiences foster resilience and help us develop skills essential for navigating life’s uncertainties.

2. Learning From Mistakes:

Failures are valuable teachers. When we fail, we’re given the chance to reflect, identify our mistakes, and make better decisions moving forward. It’s through these reflections that we learn and grow.

3. Appreciating Success:

Without hardship, success wouldn’t feel as rewarding. The struggles we face make moments of triumph more meaningful, as they remind us of how far we’ve come.

•A bad ending highlights the difference between what could have been and what is lost, making us more grateful for the small, happy moments we have. It teaches us to not take happiness for granted while it's here.

•Example:In Islamic teachings, the story of Prophet Yusuf (AS) is a profound example. He faced betrayal by his brothers, wrongful imprisonment, and immense hardship. Yet, despite these trials, Allah ultimately elevated him to a position of honor and authority. This contrast between hardship and joy reminds us to be grateful for blessings when they come and trust in Allah’s wisdom, even during difficult times.

2.Emotional reminder

• Experiencing the pain or regret of a bad ending can trigger a deeper understanding of how precious joy is. The loss or missed opportunity in the story makes us more aware of the joy we might otherwise overlook in our own lives

•Example:The story of Prophet Ayub (AS) is a powerful reminder of how loss can deepen our appreciation for joy. Despite losing his wealth, health, and family, he remained patient and steadfast in his faith. When Allah restored his blessings, Ayub (AS) became a symbol of patience and gratitude. His experience teaches us to value happiness and recognize it as a gift from Allah.

3.Short-lived happiness

•A bad ending can emphasize that joy, like life itself, can be temporary. This encourages us to cherish those moments because we never know how long they'll last

•Example:The battle of Uhud.

At first, the Muslims won, but because of a moment of pride, they suddenly lost.This event showed how success and happiness can be temporary. It reminded the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) companions to stay alert and value every victory, understanding that both success and hardship are tests from Allah.