This world is a place of striving and struggle, stress and exhaustion, while the Hereafter was created for justice and compensation. Allah informed us the Qur’an that we will be tested in this life. And because life on earth is a test for every human being, we must expect to have a certain amount of problems, difficulties and hard times. He said:
“Do the people think that they will be left to say, ‘We believe’ and they will not be tried?” - Quran 29:2
We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits [of labor], but give glad tidings to the patient who, when disaster strikes them, say: ‘We belong to Allah and to Him we will return.’ Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy, and those are the rightly guided." - Quran 2:155-157
And the Prophet confirmed, “When Allah intends good for someone, He tries him with hardships.” - Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5321
Everyone alive today is in the process of being tested by Allah, and He tests each individual in different ways. One might be tested by illness, financial difficulty, loss of a loved one, disobedient children – the afflictions that may torment a person are innumerable. But all these afflictions, when endured patiently by the believer, are a means of attaining Allah’s forgiveness and His reward. They are like bitter medicine; you offer it, despite its bitterness, in order to benefit the one under your care. The Prophet said: “The greatest reward comes from the greatest trial. When Allah loves people He tests them, and whoever accepts it gains approval [from Allah], and whoever becomes angry earns His anger.” - Al-Tirmidhi (2396)
People are tested by the blessings they enjoy just as they are by the misfortunes that befall them. We are tried with wealth as well as poverty. Will we hoard it or be generous? Will we use it for lawful purposes or waste it in sin? We are tested with health as well as sickness. How will we use our minds and bodies? We are tested with the guidance Allah has given us. Will we follow it or ignore it and follow the path of the Shayṭan instead?
We may also be tested through others who experience suffering. Their plight is a test for those whom their lives affect, even for those who know about them. How will they be treated? Will they be helped, cared for, respected and given their rights? Allah has said:
“Every soul shall taste of death. And We will test you with evil and with good by way of trial. And to Us is your return.” Quran 21:35
And we may be tested through the disappointments of life – hypocrisy from those we considered pious and betrayal by those we trusted.
The scholars have laid out some guidelines to assist those experiencing the difficulties of tests and trials:
Trials are decrees of Allah that have already come to pass. Nothing takes place except that Allah knew and decreed it beforehand. So we must recognize that whatever befalls us is not something random; it was predetermined for us before the creation of the heavens and the earth. The Messenger of Allah said, “For everything there is a reality, and a servant does not attain the reality of faith until he knows that whatever struck him could not have missed him and whatever missed him could not have struck him.” - Musnad Aḥmad 26944 Similarly, Allah has said:
“No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves but that it is in a register before We bring it into being. Indeed, that is easy for Allah.” - Quran 57:22
And we are reminded of this for a reason:
“In order that you not despair over what eluded you and not exult over what He gave you.” - Quran 57:23
Those facing difficulties in life should not assume they are punishments or signs that Allah is angry with them. Nor should they interpret the success and pleasure that some enjoy on earth as a sign Allah is pleased with them, for possibly the opposite could be true. For a believer, distress in this life is better than a punishment stored for the Hereafter, which would be far more severe; and many of his sins are being erased thereby.
If suffering had no benefit, Allah would have spared those He loves most, but His Messenger disclosed that people are tested according to firmness in their religion. As he disclosed, “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 5641 And he said, “When Allah wants good for his slave, He hastens his punishment in the world. And when He wants bad for His slave, He withholds his sins from him until he appears before Him on the Day of Judgement…” - Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2396
“Know that your properties and your children are but a trial, and Allah has with Him a great reward.” - Quran 8:28
When one admits the unconditional right of Allah to do as He pleases with His creation, trusting in the ultimate good of His decrees, he will continually be prepared for the possibility of examination through painful experiences. After all, it is He who has given us everything we possess, and He is the true owner of it all. So all that we have – our wealth and property, our homes, our families, our bodies and minds, our abilities, our time, our own souls – all belong to Allah.
And since He is the true owner of everything, and all of it is His property, He makes it available to whom He wills for a specific period according to His wisdom. So He may give something to test you and then take it back to test you. All of our blessings are on loan from Allah and He has the right to take them back; in fact, He has the right to take any of us at any time without notice, so we should not object. In the words of the Qur’an:
“He cannot be questioned for what He does but they will be questioned." - Quran 21:23
But the believer who submits to the will and decree of Allah and thinks positively of Him takes comfort in the knowledge that through death one is returning to a generous and merciful Lord who will reward him for any good he did many times over and overlook his errors out of His mercy and forgiveness.
Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, tests believers to make clear to them whether their professed faith is strong and sincere or weak and corruptible. Complaining against divine decree, resentment against Allah or outright denial of Him are signs of failure in one’s test.
Al-Hasan al-Basri advised, “Do not dislike the trials that afflict you or the calamities that strike you, for there may be something you hate but it leads to your salvation, and there may be something you like, but it leads to your destruction.” And as Allah revealed:
Perhaps you hate a thing while it is good for you, and perhaps you love a thing while it is bad for you. And Allah knows while you know not. - Quran 2:216
When one acknowledges that Allah is wiser than himself, more just, and more merciful towards His creation, he can submit to Him and accept His will, knowing that the Creator, Lord and Sovereign of the universe is perfect in every way. We must appreciate that Allah does everything in accordance with His absolute knowledge and wisdom even when we do not understand it. Ibn Taymiyyah said, “The fact that we may not understand the wisdom behind certain decrees and issues should not undermine the basic principle of what we do know about His wisdom. And we should not deny what we know of His wisdom just because we do not know all the details of His wisdom.”
Man has been created with limitations and imperfections. One aspect of his shortsightedness is that he focuses on adversities without considering the benefits they may bring or remembering the countless blessings he still enjoys and observes around him. Indeed, one appreciates his own condition more when comparing it with others whose afflictions are worse than his own and when realizing that the blessings retained after a loss are still far greater than those of which one was deprived. For Allah has blessed man in immeasurable ways that cannot compare to the limited misfortunes that befall him.
When a certain human being is known for much good work but fails occasionally, then forgetting the good he has done would be regarded as ingratitude. So what should be thought of Allah, the Exalted, who never fails and whose dealings with His creation are always good and beneficial?
To begin with, do not despair. We have the ability to endure because, as the Qur’an has told us:
“Allah charges no soul except [with that] within its capacity.” - Quran 2:286
This is knowledge which will save the believer from panic, hopelessness and depression.
There are generally two kinds of trials:
• First, those where the misfortune is not seen to be anyone’s fault, but merely something decreed by Allah, such as natural disasters, illnesses and accidents. These may cause prolonged sorrow and grief but are readily accepted by a believer as being the will of Allah. The Prophet taught us to say in such situations, “Ma qaddar Allahu wa ma shaa fa’al” (What Allah decreed and willed He has done). And when circumstances are not as one would like, he should say, “Al-ḥamdu lillaahi alaa kulli ḥaal” (Praise is due to Allah in every condition).
• And second, those occurrences also decreed by Allah, but where human beings are seen to be the immediate cause. While ordinary people tend to hold others responsible for their misfortunes, sensitive believers sometimes go to extremes in blaming themselves. But the Messenger of Allah said, “When something befalls you, do not say, ‘If only I had done so and so, then such and such would have happened,’ but say, ‘What Allah decreed and willed He has done.’ For ‘if only’ opens the door for the Shaytān.”
Accepting a misfortune does not mean that nothing can be done. Islam expects action and effort to change every undesirable situation and repel harm whenever possible, and this is a requirement of the faith.
All lawful efforts to improve a situation are rewarded by Allah whether they succeed or not. They are judged by the effort applied and not the result, for that is in His hand. For example, a prophet will not be held accountable for those of his people who rejected his message. And one who did his best to save a life will not blamed by Allah if he failed; rather he will be appreciated for attempting. So if you could not prevent the disaster from happening, perhaps you can lessen its bad effects, help someone, comfort someone, control your own reaction – and earn the reward. Nothing is overlooked by Allah.
However, a word of caution. When faced with harm, people often have a natural impulse to repel it any way possible, possibly leading to transgression against others. The Shayṭan is always prepared to take advantage of a person’s weakness during times of anger or despair to incite him into committing sin and losing his reward. That is why stressful circumstances require much self-control, balanced thinking and the recognition that it is not possible to rid the world of all its evil and injustice. Trials decreed by Allah must be confronted only in ways that are sanctioned by the Shari‘ah. Allah has said:
“And let not the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; it is nearer to taqwaa. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Aware of what you do.” - Quran 5:8
During those seemingly unsolvable problems and crises the afflicted one will instinctively turn to Allah. And He has instructed believers that when some matter worries them or a calamity befalls them to seek help from Him through patience and prayer. (Refer to Surah al-Baqarah, 2:45 and 2:153.) Then, at a time determined by Him, He will relieve distress, provide a solution and give compensation and unlimited reward in the Hereafter for whatever was endured.
The calamities and disasters of this world offer a reminder to repent before the greater punishment of the Last Day. Allah advises people to turn back to Him, saying:
“And We will surely let them taste the nearer punishment less than the greater punishment that perhaps they will return.” - Quran 32:21
Many people have been slaves to their own desires rather than to Allah. They thought they were servants of Allah, but when they were tested they failed the test. The Qur’an describes them thus:
“And of the people is one who worships Allah on an edge. If he is touched by good, he is reassured by it; but if he is struck by trial, he turns on his face [to the other direction].” - Quran 22:11
Turning away from Allah and anger with His decree are signs of failure. Yet this worldly life continuously presents new opportunities. If you have failed before, you can still repent at any time, turn back to your Lord sincerely and pass this test with His help. In a practical sense, adversities and calamities will show you your true nature. You will realize that you are weak and have no power and no ability except through your Lord. Then you will know you are in need of Him, give up your pride, turn back to Him and seek His help.
Combined with other efforts, Du’aa is one of the most beneficial means by which relief can be attained. It can lessen calamities, ward them off or prevent greater ones. When the Prophet said: “Nothing can avert divine decree except Du’aa,” he meant that when a person avails himself of the prescribed means and calls upon Allah in supplication, this is also part of the divine decree, so one decree is repelled by another when Allah wills it. The same applies to everything that is decreed to happen through a means or cause. Allah has made that particular tool or method the cause for a thing to happen, and it was decreed from eternity, before it happened. The Du’aa itself was decreed by Allah and the result granted by Him was decreed by means of that Du’aa.
Allah is merciful and generous, so one should never assume that he is not righteous enough to earn a response from Him. If we are not so righteous, it is sufficient that we are helpless, distressed and fearful, knowing that no one can help us at such a time except our Creator and Sustainer. It is then that we will become close to Him, because at such moments we are most sincere and humble.
“Is [it not He] who responds to the desperate one when he calls upon Him and removes evil and makes you inheritors of the earth?” - Quran 27:62
For Du’aa to be most effective, it should be done with presence of heart and concentration, along with admission of one’s sins and sincere repentance. During times of anxiety, grief or deep distress one should beg Allah repeatedly, particularly when alone in the last portion of the night and during sujud in prayer. The Messenger of Allah said, “One of you will be answered as long as he is not impatient, saying, ‘I supplicated but was not answered.’” So continue persistently and patiently in Du’aa and don’t give up.
Ibn al-Jawzi said, "Part of his trial is when a believer supplicates and repeats his Du’aa for a long time and sees no sign of response. He should realize that this, too, is a test which requires patience. I experienced this myself. My soul (nafs) said to me, ‘How can you explain Allah withholding His response to your prayers for relief from this calamity?’
I said [answering myself as if addressing a student], 'It is evident that Allah, Most High, is the Sovereign, and the Sovereign may withhold or grant as He wills, so there is no point in objecting. I may think that something is good, but wisdom does not prescribe it, and the reason for that may be hidden; just as a doctor may do things that appear to be harmful, intending something beneficial thereby. Or there might be some advantage in the delay, and haste could be harmful. Or the response could be withheld because of some fault in you. So look for some of these causes.
And perhaps losing what you wanted will cause you to turn to Allah while getting it would distract you from Him. This is obvious, because if not for this calamity you would not have turned to Him. The real calamity is what distracts you from Allah; but what makes you turn to Him is good for you and in your best interest. And if you considered these things you would focus on what is more beneficial for you, such as correcting a mistake or seeking forgiveness or turning to Allah and invoking Him, instead of on what you have suffered.
And when you can’t change the situation or do anything more, get out of the driver’s seat and leave the matter to your Lord. Trust Him. You are close to Allah during this period and your Du’aa is being heard; and He is supporting you. Trust that there is benefit in the matter according to His perfect knowledge.
When Allah leaves you no option except patience, more options will arise as a result of that patience. However grave the situation is now, it must eventually change. Perhaps the trial is an expiation for sins, and it could have been worse. And there may even be some less obvious benefits, such as the strengthening of character or wisdom gained. Problems are part of life, but the lessons learned from them will last a lifetime. Remember Allah’s words:
No disaster strikes except by permission of Allah. And whoever believes in Allah ‒ He will guide his heart. And Allah is Knowing of all things." - Quran 64:11
Afflictions are easier to bear with the knowledge that no matter how difficult, they are decreed to enable believers to develop reliance on Allah and earn His approval, as well as a compensation infinitely greater than the adversity. Think of yourself in the Hereafter receiving so great a reward as to make you forget everything you have suffered and endured.
The Prophet mentioned that one who had suffered most in the world among the people destined for Paradise will be brought and dipped just once into Paradise. He will then be asked, “O son of Adam, did you ever experience any misery or any hardship in the world?” He will say, “No, by Allah, my Lord, I never experienced any misery or hardship at all.”
It is makruh (disliked) to wish for death because of harm that one has suffered or the adversities of this life. The Messenger of Allah said, “None of you should wish for death because of some harm that has befallen him; but if he must, then let him say, ‘O Allah, keep me alive so long as life is best for me and cause me to die when death is best for me.’” Despite suffering in this world, a believer must patiently continue to fulfill his duties to Allah and do as much good as possible in obedience to His words:
“And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty [i.e. death]” - Quran 15:99
Patience is undoubtedly difficult, but that is why it earns unlimited reward in the eternal life to come. Remember that Allah ta’la has declared:
“Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.” - Quran 39:10
It is especially trying when the cause of one’s suffering is a human being. Dealing with wrongdoers is a challenge to be met with strength of character and good morals. Expect that there will always be people who will disappoint you, hurt you and sin against you – even among those you love. Try to be tolerant and forgive their mistakes, or at least avoid injustice. And when you cannot prevent them from major sins, continue to pray for their guidance and leave them to their Lord; for He stated in the Qur’an:
“And We have made some of you as trial for others ‒ will you be patient? And your Lord is ever Seeing.” - Quran 25:20
There are always countless reasons to be grateful to Allah, and there are many people whose hardships are greater. Try to keep in mind and value the many blessings you still have in spite of your affliction. The Messenger of Allah said, “Look at those with less than you and do not look at those with more than you, for this makes you less likely to underestimate Allah’s blessings upon you.” And as he advised, “No servant is struck by affliction and then says, ‘We belong to Allah and to Him we will return. O Allah, reward me in my affliction and follow it up with something better for me’ without Allah rewarding him in his affliction and following it with something better for him.”
The life of this world fluctuates between periods of relative ease and difficulty. We must constantly deal with trials and misfortunes throughout life by practicing patience, determination, courage, exertion, proper behavior and reliance upon Allah. So you must never forget that you have been chosen by Allah for this particular test because He knows you have the ability to pass it.
How can we long for Paradise unless we have tasted the bitterness of this life and hardships of this world? It is only there that believers will find relief from harm, pain, hostility and discomfort and enjoy an eternal life of ease and pleasure.
“And therein is whatever the souls desire and [what] delights the eyes.” - Quran 43:71