Allah tests His servants in hardship and in ease. These trials are a means to increase a believer’s rewards and elevate their ranks in Paradise. Allah has given you an opportunity because Allah loves you and wants the best for you. He tries them so that they may turn to Him and seek His help above all else. These trials are a means to strengthen one’s faith in Allah and submit to His Divine will. The punishment from Allah in this world is way better and easier than the punishment in the Hereafter. Allah says:

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ ٱلأَمَوَالِ وَٱلأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّابِرِينَ

“Be sure we shall test you 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.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:155)

Allah tests individuals to re-affirm their faith and bring them back to the realm of Islam. He puts His believers in various situations, difficulties and comfort. These trials may come in the form of loss, sorrow, injuries, and all sorts of calamities which are Allah’s way of cleaning a believer’s slate of his/her sins. There is nothing worth worrying about when your life is controlled and is in the Hands of Allah. The test which we are to undergo is not meant to add to the knowledge of God. Allah says:

مَّا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَذَرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَنْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّىٰ يَمِيزَ ٱلْخَبِيثَ مِنَ ٱلطَّيِّبِ

“Allah will not leave the believers in the state in which you are now until He separates what is evil from what is good.” (Surah Al-Imran:179)

Allah tests the one who committed sins with trials or calamity so as to examine the sincerity of His slave, and if the person falls in line. The trial also serves as the means of requital and immediate punishment in this world, so that Allah forgives His slaves on the day of resurrection. So do not despair if you are tried by Allah. No hardship is without purpose, no suffering is without reward.

The sign of calamity by way of punishment is a lack of patience when a calamity befalls:

1. Tests remind us that this world is not our home
2. Tests awaken the lost to their need for God
3. Tests remind us that the world is broken
4. Tests do justice in response to our sin
5. Tests when a believer rejects the faith
6. Tests keep us dependent on God 
7. Tests are a matter of perspective
8. Tests object away from evil
9. Tests put our trust in God
10. Tests from the wrong choices
11. Tests receive praise and realms
12. Tests give a picture of near God
13. Tests believer’s testament of faith
14. Tests mean a powerful God exists
15. Tests are the result of mankind’s sin
16. Tests are meaningful in the community 
17. Tests make the bliss of heaven sweeter 
18. Tests remind us of the impact of our sin
19. Tests may learn patience and endurance
20. Tests are used to train us in righteousness

Allah just wishes for you to keep your faith strong in Him and earn more rewards. The test will be held for all persons, believers and non‑believers alike. Test presupposes that the man is not predestined to go to Paradise or Hell. We would have come into existence by chance, and whatever we do would have no meaning or moral value, positive or negative. Some people claim to believe that to be the case, but it’s impossible for them to consistently live out that belief.  Allah says:

رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

“Our Lord, make us not a trial for the unbelievers and forgive us, our Lord. Verily, You are the Almighty, the Wise.” (Surah Al-Mumtahanah 60:5)

The fear of Allah inspires a person with Tawfeeq that insulates him from transgressing the bounds of prohibitions and compels him towards sincere repentance. Since there is a possibility that sin may not be eligible for a pardon, it is extremely important that we keep ourselves protected from every sin; be it big or small. In fact, the sins which do not deserve to be pardoned are regarded as insignificant by the one who commits them. 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)

Allah loves you and He has allowed you to come close to Him. Sometimes Allah tests His servants in this world in order to ease their suffering in the next world and hastens their punishments in this lifetime so His believers won’t have to face the tremendous and torturous punishments in the hereafter. Even if the sinner repents for his sins, he should continue to be fearful. It may be that his repentance has not fulfilled the necessary conditions.

Here are some ways to deal with tests:

• Read/ listen to Quran: (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 toward 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)

Allah also tests His servants and afflicts them with troubles in order to raise their ranks in Paradise. The degree and extent of the trial depend on how committed the believer is to Islam. These trials then become a means through which their status is elevated and their rewards are doubled. We should therefore continue to live between fear and hope till the end of our lives, hoping for Allah’s rewards for our good deeds and dreading the accountability of our sins committed knowingly or unintentionally. Allah says:

مااصاب من مصيبة الا باذن الله ومن يؤمن بالله يهد قلبه والله بكل شيء عليم

“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.” (Surah At-Taghabun 64:11)

Allah compensates for our sinful deeds by giving us difficulty. A sign of punishment is when an individual is restless and complains throughout the tribulation as opposed to a trial, where the individual practices calmness and contentment through reliance on Allah, for He is the only one who can pacify and eradicate our suffering and hardships. Our ever‑lasting happiness depends upon the result of these tests.

Test & Trial in Man’s Life According To The Quran:

• “Nay verily! With me is my Lord, He will guide me.” (Quran 26:62)
• “….and harm them not. And put your trust in Allah.” (Quran 33:48)
• “Therefore remember Me and I will remember you…” (Quran 2:152)
• “And put your trust in Allah if you are believers indeed…” (Quran 5:23)
• “Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Quran 13:28)
• “And I grant them respite; surely My scheme is effective.” (Surah Araf 7:183)
• “Do people think they will be left alone and they will not be tried?..” (Quran 29:2)
• “Whatever misfortune befalls you is a consequence of your deeds…” (Quran 42:30)

Allah desires to bring His especially pious Muslims closer to Himself. Difficulties are given to increase their ranks due to thankfulness and patience. If we are able to achieve success, be it material, intellectual or even spiritual, at all times we should be aware that our achievements are a Grace and Mercy from Allah and not the result of our own capabilities. Thankfulness to Allah alone earns Allah’s approval. Pride and ingratitude will forever separate us from our Creator and this is the worst of the punishments. Allah says:

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 tests the strength of Muslims’ faith by giving them worldly problems. Then He gives them peace and, if they remain pious, eternal pleasure. If one trusts, obeys and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of never ever being misled. So if Allah punishes you with calamity or misfortune matters, be patient and ask taubah (forgiving) from Allah! It removes your sins and it’s better than the punishment in the Hereafter. Allah says:

الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ

“He Who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving.” (Surah Al-Mulk 67:2)

Every believer knows that the worldly life is nothing but a temporary place to live under Islamic commandments and to die among the righteous ones. The world itself is a place of testing, it will lead to the purification of their souls and will definitely cause them to gain the ultimate benefits and bounties on the Day of Judgment because of their good deeds. Hence, the hardships that befall them are a result of their own sins at the hands of Allah.