Allah Test Us With Hardships - Qamar Islam Khan

Allah Almighty has put humans into this world to test them. Muslims will endure many trials throughout their lives. Allah tests us with hardship and also prosperity to validate the sincerity of our faith. God created us with the ability to love and follow Him or to reject and turn away from Him. We only need to believe and turn to Him, Believe and have faith, Believe and earn rewards and the Love of Allah. Allah says:

مَّا أَصَابَكَ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ فَمِنَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَصَابَكَ مِن سَيِّئَةٍ فَمِن نَّفْسِكَ وَأَرْسَلْنَاكَ لِلنَّاسِ رَسُولًا وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ شَهِيدًا

“What(ever) befalls you of (the) good (is) from Allah, and whatever befalls you of (the) evil (is) from yourself. And for the people (as) a Messenger and Allah is sufficient (as) a Witness.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:79)

We chose to rebel against Him and to follow our inclinations. The first factor that can prepare a Muslim for an effective battle against hardships is the realization that hardships are a test. The world will run as Allah wills it to, there is no point in worrying about what comes as difficult. 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)

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)

Allah is testing you! Allah has given you an opportunity because Allah loves you and wants the best for you. It is your patience that will get you through because you have complete faith in Allah that He will make it alright. There is nothing worth worrying about when your life is controlled and is in the Hands of Allah.

Reasons Suffering through hardship and adversity is a reminder for people:

Tests remind us that this world is not our home
Tests awaken the lost to their need for God
Tests remind us that the world is broken
Tests do justice in response to our sin
Tests when a believer rejects the faith
Tests keep us dependent on God
Tests is a matter of perspective
Tests object away from evil
Tests put our trust in God
Tests from the wrong choices
Tests receive praise and realms
Tests believers testament of faith
Tests mean a powerful God exists
Tests give a picture to near to God
Tests are the result of mankind’s sin
Tests are meaning in the community
Tests make the bliss of heaven sweeter
Tests remind us of the impact of our sin
Tests may learn patience and endurance
Tests are used to train us in righteousness

One must understand that this world is run by Allah. That one has no control over anything. All that happens is by the will of Allah, you have no power to steer it your way. As we are aware, this world is a place of the test. And being so all that is in it is a test. It will last for only so long and then Allah will make it better. No hardship is without purpose, no suffering is without reward. 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)

Those who believe that God has already predestined our actions and our ultimate destination then can neither justify the theory of test which is mentioned in numerous verses of the Qur’an nor can they justify their belief in the Day of Judgement. The test which we are to undergo is not meant to add to the knowledge of God.

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)
“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)

Trials can be a sign that Allah intends good for us because through trials our sins are expiated and we have the opportunity to perform good deeds. There are innumerable miseries, accidents, floods, earthquakes; fires, robbery, war, riot, famine, epidemics‑all such things affect our lives: We are being tested as for how we react to them. Our ever‑lasting happiness depends upon the result of these tests. Allah says:

وَأَمَّآ إِذَا مَا ٱبْتَلاَهُ فَقَدَرَ عَلَيْهِ رِزْقَهُ فَيَقُولُ رَبِّيۤ أَهَانَنِ

“But when He tries him, restricting his subsistence for him, then he says (in despair), “My Lord has humiliated me!” (Surah Fajr:16)

So welcome your hardships for they are blessings. Know that Allah loves you. That is why He wishes to purify you. Allah loves you and He has allowed you to come close to Him. Allah loves you and that is why He has allowed you to earn more rewards. Allah says:

Allah loves you and that is why He put you through tribulations to test your faith and love for HIM. Allah loves you and will never abandon you, He just wishes for you to keep your faith strong in Him and earn more rewards. It is sometimes to punish those who violate Allah’s natural or moral laws. 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)

One of the greatest trials a Muslim might endure is the death of a loved one such as a spouse, a parent, or a child. If he remains patient and praises Allah in such a situation, then Allah has guaranteed a house for him in Paradise. Thus God gave us the will and power to act according to our will. And after this bestowing of power, we were sent to this world to be tested. Allah says:

رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيم

“Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.” (Al-Baqarah 2: 127)

There is a tyrant king, trying to capture the world and eliminate the God‑loving people from this earth. He goes against the requirements of God to rule justly and mercifully He is thus failing in his test. Therefore, Muslims will endure many trials throughout life such as being afflicted by a calamity, suffering oppression, or even ingratitude in the face of prosperity. 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)

A Muslim must remain patient with the command and decree of Allah to avoid injustice, selfishness, and various evil deeds that might come about during a trial. We ask Allah to relieve the suffering of Muslims and to guide us through the trials of life and death. God knows everything, it still is necessary that all men and women be put to test so that the true form of God’s justice.

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