The Importance of Afflictions

The Prophet was afflicted with the greatest calamities to bring about that patience. Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala tested him through these hardships, because by these hardships, your own heart becomes soft. When you've lived in poverty, then you will feel something for those who are poor. It is not a coincidence that our Prophet has so many ahadith about taking care of the orphan. He knows how it feels. There's a ahadith that even says, if you can't give money to the orphan, at least rub his hair and make dua, be gentle with him.