Allah, the Creator of everything, is the sole possessor of all beings. Allah rules all the systems at any moment in the universe, regardless of whether we are aware of them, or if we are asleep, sitting, walking. Each of the myriads of processes in the universe, all essential to our existence, is under Allah’s control. Allah says:
وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِ أَزْوَاجًا مِّنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ
“And (do) not extend your eyes towards what We have given for enjoyment [with it], pairs of them (the) splendour (of) the life (of) the world, that We may test them in it. And (the) provision (of) your Lord (is) better and more lasting.” (Surah Ta-Ha 20:131)
Allah is the One who satisfies the necessities of His creations. Allah wants to refine us, out of His love and mercy, so that we can attain not just Paradise but the highest rank of the Prophets and the righteous. Tests expose our faults and weaknesses to ourselves – and that awareness enables us to be more focused and proactive in rectifying those aspects of our character. Allah says:
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ
“And surely We will test you with something of [the] fear and [the] hunger and loss of [the] wealth and [the] lives and [the] fruits, but give good news (to) the patient ones.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:155)
We were created to worship Allah, and we all made a promise to do so before we were sent to earth. Tests are a means for us to fulfil this promise they are a ‘Sunnah’ of Allah – i.e. tests are how Allah distinguishes between us because they help to expose faith and lack of faith.
Test and trial in life and how to overcome It, here are some reasons below:
- Allah tests us to purify us and wash away our sins
- A test can sometimes replace a worse misfortune
- Allah lets them go and gives us many chances
- Allah’s knowledge compasses all things
- Allah tests some people with poverty
- Allah knows all that is in our hearts
- Allah tests with emotional distress
- Allah is that He is the All-Knowing
- Allah knows the result of our test
- Allah is the most impartial Judge
- Allah makes ahead what He wills
- Allah is the Maintainer of life
- Allah tests with prosperity
- Allah delays what He wills
- Tests object away from evil
- Tests groans for redemption
- Tests is a matter of perspective
- Tests caused by an act of nature
- Tests keep us dependent on God
- Tests mean a powerful God exists
- Tests give a picture to near to God
- Tests make the bliss of heaven sweeter
- Tests remind us of the impact of our sin
- Tests are used to train us in righteousness
- Tests are given to us to strengthen our faith
Allah tells us that we will be tested. He also makes it clear to us what is expected from us when we undergo these trials and what our reward will be if we are successful. By being created as human beings, we will be tested. We will be thrown into countless trials, into situations that may arise unpleasant and awkward, and into times of difficulty when it seems as though there is little reason to hope. Allah says:
الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ
“The One Who created death and life that He may test you, which of you (is) best (in) deed. And He (is) the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving.” (Surah Al-Mulk 67:2)
Hardship and adversity are decreed by God as a cleansing of our souls from sins we have already committed. As a result, some of the bad things that happen to us are a direct result of the sins we have committed. Tests will come at us from every direction; events will test the very core of our character and the strength of our beliefs. And these are the tests we cannot afford to fail. And Allah, Glory be to Him, has not left us empty-handed.
Here are some ways to deal with tests:
- Read/ listen to Qur’an: (because dhikr gives contentment – Surah Ra’d: 28)
- Make dua for Allah’s help:
- Gratitude puts our tests: In perspective and stops us from complaining; it is the greatest route towards Sabr.
- Remember: Bear in mind every single person is being tested in different ways.
- Remember nothing in this life: Lasts forever, so the test will have an end Insha Allah: “verily with every hardship comes ease.” (Quran 94:5-6).
- Allah has confidence in us: So we too need to have confidence in our ability to get through the test. Allah does not burden any soul beyond what it can bear. (Quran 2:286)
- Muhaasabah: Use tests as an opportunity for self-assessment; are there things you can do better next time? Are there habits/ characteristics you need to change?
- Deal with your test one step at a time:
- Have trust in Allah (tawakkal): Whatever the test is – because Allah is the best of Planners and teaches us the best lessons.
- Strengthen your salah: “Seek help in patience and prayer.” (Quran 2: 153)
فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ
“When you have made the decision, then rely upon Allah. Verily, Allah loves those who trust Him.” (Surat Ali Imran 3:159)
Allah test the concept of cleansing the human from sins in this life is a Quranic truth. It can be achieved through the experiencing of hardship and adversity. So tests and calamities are a blessing in disguise and Allah wants us to get closer to him so if we bare within with Patience hoping for reward then Allah is with us and best of all we will get closer to Allah and feel true contentment and happiness in the heart and we will attain Paradise inshallah.
Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:
- “…Allah has appointed a measure for all things…” (At-Talaq, 65: 3)
- “When He wills a certain thing, He commands it ‘Be!’ and it is.” (Quran 36:82)
- “Perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good.” (Surah 4: 19)
- “Those will be given their reward twice for what they patiently endured,” (Qur’an,28:54)
- “Nothing in the heavens or on earth can induce weakness or impotence in God; indeed, God is all-knowing and all-powerful.” (Quran 35:44)
- “Do you not know that Allah knows everything in heaven and Earth? That is in a Book. That is easy for Allah.” (Al-Hajj, 22: 70)
- “Your wealth and your children are but a trial, and Allah has with Him a great reward.” (Quran 64:15)
- “Do not regard with envy the worldly benefits We have given some of them, for with these We seek only to test them. The provision of your Lord is better and more lasting.” (Quran 20:131)
Building our knowledge and our characters as Muslims is the only way. A believer is one whose Iman, or faith, is unwavering and firmly established. He or she cannot be swayed from the straight path by the winds of trials, no matter how fierce the storm. Suffering through hardship and adversity is a reminder for people who tend to take things for granted and forget all of God’s blessings. Allah says:
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا
“Indeed, We have made what (is) on the earth adornment for it, that We may test [them] which of them (is) best (in) deed.” (Surah Al-Kahf 18:7)
Adversity and hardship is also a very effective reminder for those who are too much absorbed in worldly life, and thus they may not be as devoted to God as they should be. So instead of seeing tests as a punishment from Allah, this shows that in fact, Allah wants to save us from punishment. Allah says:
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ وَنَبْلُوكُم بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ
“Every soul (will) taste [the] death. And We test you with [the] bad and [the] good (as) a trial, and to Us, you will be returned.” (Surah Al-Anbiya` 21:35)
Muslims will endure many trials throughout life such as being afflicted by a calamity, suffering oppression, or even ingratitude in the face of prosperity. We ask Allah to relieve the suffering of Muslims and to guide us through the trials of life and death. May Allah, Glory be to Him, make us be of those who are firmly rooted in their beliefs. Ameen!
