Trials From Allah
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
(In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful)
Allah tells us, we will be tested. He very clearly lets us know what is expected of us, and what our reward will be if we are successful.
He says: "Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, or lives and the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Who say when afflicted with calamity: "To Allah we belong and to Him is our return". 2:155
Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, “we believe”, and that they will not be tested? 29:2
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "No fatigue, illness, anxiety, sorrow, harm or sadness afflicts any Muslim, even to the extent of a thorn pricking him, without Allah wiping out his sins by it." [Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
In another narration, the Prophet (pbuh) said: "No Muslim is afflicted by harm, whether it is but the prick of a thorn or something worse, without Allah expiating his evil deeds on account of it, and his sins falling away from him, like leaves off a tree."[Sahih al-Bukhari]
The Prophet (pbuh) said: "When Allah desires good for someone, He tries him with hardships." [Sahih al-Bukhari]
All sorts of difficulties such as sickness, lack of income, and disobedience from his children, may test the Muslim. The Prophet (pbuh) stressed this point, when he mentioned: "fatigue, illness, anxiety, sorrow, harm or sadness.... even to the extent of a thorn pricking him."
All of these afflictions, if endured patiently by the believer, are a means of attaining Allah's forgiveness as well as His reward.
Allah is testing every one. He tests us all in different ways. We should not assume, the difficulties we face in life are punishments or signs Allah is displeased with us. Likewise, we should never construe success, and the pleasures others enjoy, as signs Allah is pleased with them. Sometimes, quite the opposite is true.
Allah says: "It is He who created death and life that He may try you as to which of you is best in deeds". [Surah al-Mulk 67:2]
We may also be tested through others. We know from experience, even a small child can experience suffering, as well as, a person who is mentally handicapped, to such a degree, he/she cannot understand the concepts of Islam, and is not legally accountable. Although it may be, such a person is not undergoing tests of his/her own; however his/her plight, may very well be a test for those this handicapped person's life affects. How will they treat them: Will they care for this handicapped person, respect them, and give them their rights?
We may not be able to fathom the wisdom, behind why Allah decrees what He does for us, or for others of His creatures. However, we must know, Allah does everything in accordance with His wisdom, and we should bear our trials patiently.
Ultimately, we must remember the words of Allah in the Qur'an:
Or do ye think that ye shall enter the garden (of bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the messenger and those of faith who were with him cried: “When (will come) the help of Allah” Ah! Verily, the help of Allah is (always) near! 2:214
Be sure we shall test u with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere-
--- Who say, when afflicted with calamity: “To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return” 2:155-156
Allah’s object also is to purge those that are true in faith and to deprive of blessing those that resist faith.
--- Did ye think that ye would enter heaven without Allah testing those of you who fought hard (in His cause) and remained steadfast? 3:141-142
Those for whom death was decreed would certainly have gone forth to the place of their death; But (all this was) that Allah might test what is in you breasts and purge what is in your hearts. For Allah knoweth well the secrets of your hearts.
---Those of you who turned back on the day the two hosts met -- it was Satan who caused them to fail, because of some (evil) they had done. But Allah has blotted out (their fault): For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Forbearing. 3:154-155
Ye shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves; and ye shall certainly hear much that will grieve you, from those who received the book before you and from those who worship many gods. But if ye persevere patiently, and guard against evil -- then that will be a determining factor in all affairs. 3:186
To each among you have We prescribed a law and an open way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah: It is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute: 5:48
Thus did We try some of them by comparison with others, that they should say: “Is it these then that Allah hath favored from amongst us?” Doth not Allah know best those who are grateful? 6:53
Say: “He hath power to send calamities on you, from above and below, or to cover you with confusion in party strife, giving you a taste of mutual vengeance -- each from the other. See how We explain the signs by various (symbols); That they may understand.
--- But thy people reject this, though it is the truth. Say: “Not mine is the responsibility for arranging your affairs;
--- “For every message is a limit of time, and soon shall ye know it.” 6:65-67
And know ye that your possessions and your progeny are but a trial; and that it is Allah with whom lies your highest reward. 8:28
That which is on earth We have made but as a glittering show for the earth, in order that We may test them -- as to which of them are best in conduct. 18:7
Therefore be patient with what they say, and celebrate (constantly) the praises of thy Lord before the rising of the sun, and before its setting; yea, celebrate them for part of the hours of the night, and at the sides of the day: that thou mayest have (spiritual) joy.
--- Nor strain thine eye in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to parties of them, the splendor of the life of this world, through which We test them: But the provision of thy Lord is better and more enduring. 20:130-131
And the messengers whom We sent before thee were all (men) who ate food and walked through the streets : We have made some of you as a trial for others: 25:20
Now, when trouble touches man he cries to Us: But when We bestow a favor upon him as from Ourselves, he says, “This has been given to me because of a certain knowledge (I have)! Nay, but this is but a trial, but most of them understand not! 39:49
Alif-Laam-Meem.
--- Do people think that they will be left alone on saying, "We believe", and that they will not be tested?
--- We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false.
--- Do those who practice evil think that they will get the better of Us? Evil is their judgment! 29:1-4
The Prophet pbuh) said: "If Allah wants good for his servant, He hurries on His punishment in this world, and if He wills ill for a servant, he holds back punishing him for his sin, so He can give it to him in full on the Day of Resurrection."
Allah makes it clear, everything in our lives -- the good, and the bad of it - is a trial for us. How will we cope in the situation, Allah has placed for us? Will we be grateful in prosperity and patient in affliction, or will we be arrogant, and disobedient?
“Every soul shall taste of death. And We will test you with evil and good by way of trial. To Us is your return.” 21:35
Many people do not realize, they are tried just as severely with the good they are given, as they are by the misfortunes that befall them. Allah says:
“And as for man, when his Lord trieth him giving him honor and gifts, then saith he, (puffed up), 'My Lord hath honored me'. But when He trieth him restricting his subsistence for him, then saith he (in despair), 'My Lord hath humiliated me!" 89:15-16
Some people are blessed to be born and raised in good Muslim families, and then turn their backs on Islam, while others are born and raised in non-Muslim countries, to unbelieving parents, and grow up to be among the best of Muslims. Allah raises whom He pleases, in steps stages, and degrees.
We are tried with wealth as well as poverty. If we are wealthy, will we hoard our wealth, or spend in charity? Will we use it for lawful purposes, or squander it in vice? Will we trust in Allah in our investments, or will our avarice and fear of losing our wealth, make us take recourse to unlawful means to preserve it, and increase it?
If we are poor, will we be content and patient, and seek lawful means to attain our sustenance, or will we resort to unlawful means to meet our needs? Will we accept the fact, Allah gives more to some people, than He does to others, or will we grow hateful and vindictive, by harboring within our soul, hatred for our brothers and sisters, whom Allah has graced with more.
We are tested with health, as well as sickness, A man with good eyesight, is tested with regards to his use of it. Will he use the blessing of his sight to good purpose, or to gaze at unlawful things? His good eyesight may be what takes him to hell. A blind man is tested whether he will bear patiently, with his disability. His patience in affliction may be what earns him his place in paradise.
May we all pass the test of this world, and be granted entry into Gods paradise!
(To the righteous soul will be said:) "O thou soul, in (complete) rest and satisfaction!
---- "Come back thou to thy Lord -- Well pleased (thyself), and well-pleasing unto Him!
---- "Enter thou, then, among my devotees,
---- "Yea, enter thou My heaven!" 89:27-30
