You will be tested…4 min read
… because it is the Sunnah [tradition] of Allah to test His creation through various trials, toughening them for greater challenges ahead and to confer upon them attributes that will make them better than others down the line—for having remained steadfast during those tests.
{أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ} ﴿٢﴾ سورة العنكبوت
“Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,” and will not be tested?” [29:2]
Tests come in many shapes and sizes. But the most important thing is recognizing it. So do not think that just because you find yourself impoverished or because sickness comes to you or that you experience difficulty with every step that Allah is Angry with you. And definitely do not listen to what the Christians say that “Jesus is punishing you for turning your back on him” Oh please. You are following the true religion of Jesus now. And as for those who make such claims, they are more like the idol-worshippers of `Ad described in the Qur’an, saying to their messenger, Hud:
{إِن نَّقُولُ إِلَّا اعْتَرَاكَ بَعْضُ آلِهَتِنَا بِسُوءٍ ۗ قَالَ إِنِّي أُشْهِدُ اللَّـهَ وَاشْهَدُوا أَنِّي بَرِيءٌ مِّمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ} ﴿٥٤﴾ سورة هود
“All that we say is that some of our gods have seized you with evil.’” 11:54
And do not think that Allah is unaware and thus unable to answer your prayers.
{مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي أَنفُسِكُمْ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مِّن قَبْلِ أَن نَّبْرَأَهَا ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى اللَّـهِ يَسِيرٌ ﴿٢٢﴾ لِّكَيْلَا تَأْسَوْا عَلَىٰ مَا فَاتَكُمْ وَلَا تَفْرَحُوا بِمَا آتَاكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ ﴿٢٣﴾} سورة الحديد
“No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but it is inscribed in the Book of Decrees before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah. In order that you may not grieve at the things you fail to get, nor brag over that which has been given to you. And Allah likes not every prideful boaster.” 57:22-23
Rather, relish the experience to implore and beg Allah for what you need for your security, because that is what Allah LOVES from you. Then, seek Allah’s forgiveness for your shortcomings. And know that the coming of wealth, prosperity, good health and accomplishments is another form of testing from Allah, and not at all an indication that Allah may be pleased with you or that you have “passed your tests”, but it is another test of gratitude.
You can only know that Allah is Pleased with you by adhering to the Qur’an and Sunnah for His Sake and you find He answers your prayers and your dreams come true shortly after you see them and you die as a believer, proclaiming that there is none worthy of worship except Allah. Anything else that happens to you in the world, consider it part of a greater examination in this proving ground called life. Whenever a period of obvious testing has ended, whether it was sickness, poverty, or even just being a bachelor, it’s common to even look back on those times as being when you were closest to Allah because you knew nothing else existed for you to rely upon.
The most common word for trial and temptation in Arabic is fitnah. Its root meaning comes from purifying gold from other contaminating metals.
So take every challenge as an opportunity. If you see your situation as being bleak and hindering, that vision will work against you, slow you down, and could ultimately overwhelm and break you. Know that the two destinies at the end of Judgment are Paradise and Hell. Each one has many levels, especially Paradise. The difference between one level and the next is like the difference between the heavens and the earth. It is Allah’s Mercy upon us because of our faith and deeds in general which enters us into Paradise, but it is our deeds and struggles as Muslims after that which raises us from one level to another. And every action we do as a Muslim is not simply to fit an ideal traditional form, nor is it because it make sense to do—even though Allah’s legislation contains the highest and most far-reaching wisdom, but it is to continuously earn more good deeds and earn more of Allah’s love in this life. Our status and reputation is raised with Allah not only by our actions, but also by our perseverance during hardship. Just as we as look to someone with awe when we know they have survived and persevered through a great affliction, but between us and Allah it is on a much greater scale, and there is no comparison between us and Allah, to Him is the Highest Example.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said “A Muslim, male or female, continues to remain under trial in respect of his life, property and offspring until he meets Allah the Exalted, with no sin record.”1) So when “misfortunes” seem to rain down upon you, know that they come from the One Who does not try you except with what He Knows you can overcome; and know that these tests will not endure, but often continue until the moment you’re ready to give in…
{فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ﴿٥﴾ إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا ﴿٦﴾} سورة الشرح
“And truly with every difficulty, there is ease, truly with every difficulty there is ease” 94:5-6
Arabic scholars note that in Arabic style, if a sentence is repeated twice like this, it means that the second part comes twice, so for every single difficulty, it will be followed by two separate noticeable forms of ease. This is a cause of gratitude to Allah whenever we see it.
