The World is but a Test
Asalaam Wa Alykum Wa Rahmat Allah Hi Wa Barakat
Difficulties and hardships are something that afflicts almost everyone. Being Muslims, we are no exception. In fact, this makes us even more prone to being tested by Allah over and over again. Those with strong Iman and heart full of love for Allah accompanied by unshakable taqwah as well as aqeedah will actually enjoy the phase of hardship as it brings these mu’mins closer and closer to Allah. When any difficulty hits them they see it as a chance to please Allah by being patient. However, a believer never wishes or asks Allah for calamities to fall upon him.
Allah says:
And surely, We shall try you till We test those who strive hard (for the Cause of Allah) and As-Sabirun (the patient), and We shall test your facts (i.e. the one who is a liar, and the one who is truthful). {Surah Muhammad, Chapter #47, Verse #31---interpretation of the meaning}
Do you think that you will enter Paradise before Allah tests those of you who fought (in His Cause) and (also) tests those who are As-Sabirun (the patient)? {Surah Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #142--- interpretation of the meaning}
And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirun (the patient). {Surah Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #155--- interpretation of the meaning}
So why do calamities befall us? Are we being tested then?
A believer may face calamities for various reasons.
It may be that s/he has sinned a lot and is thus subjected to punishment from Allah & His angeràThese types of punishment are NOT exactly the ones we face in our everyday life. The complete defeat of the Muslims and the overrunning of their homes and property by the disbelievers is the kind of punishment that serves as a sign of their having fallen out of Allah's favour through their crimes and sins
As a reminderàIt may also be that the believer has been slacking off in worshipping Allah and slowly indulging in the temptations of this world. So Allah sends down difficult times on such believer so that s/he may return back to Him and seek refuge.
It can be that Allah loves that person and thus is hasting with the punishments in this life so that on the Judgement day, that person can enter paradise easily without any hardship. As Allah says:
And that Allah may test (or purify) the believers (from sins) and destroy the disbelievers. { Surah Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #141---interpretation of the meaning}
The good thing about calamities are....
Every one of us is being tested by Allah. He tests us all in different ways. We should not assume that the difficulties that we face in life are punishments or are signs that Allah is displeased with us. Likewise, we should never construe the success and pleasures that others enjoy as signs that Allah is pleased with them or that they are privileged. Sometimes, quite the opposite is true.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If Allah wants good for his servant, He hurries on His punishment in this world, and if He wills ill for a servant, he holds back punishing him for his sin so He can give it to him in full on the Day of Resurrection.”
Paying for sins in this world is much easier than paying in the Hereafter.
He also said: "When Allah desires good for someone, He tries him with hardships." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “No Muslim is afflicted by harm, whether it is but the prick of a thorn or something worse, without Allah expiating his evil deeds on account of it and his sins falling away from him like leaves off a tree.'" [Sahîh al-Bukhârî]
How may we be tested?Allah has various ways to test us. Either by giving us abundantly or by showing us poverty. He may test us with our wealth, health, relations etc. We may also be tested through others. We know from experience that even a small child can experience suffering as well as a person who is mentally handicapped to such a degree that he cannot understand the concepts of Islam and is not legally accountable. Though it may not be that such a person is not undergoing tests of his own; however his plight may very well be a test for those his life affects. How will they treat him? Will they care for him, respect him, and give him his rights?
Ultimately, we must remember the words of Allah in the Qur’ân: “He cannot be questioned for what He does but they will be questioned.” [Sûrah al-Anbiyâ’: 23---interpretation of the meaning]
Why Allah tests us when He knows the result?
Imagine us being told we're going to hell even though we weren't put on this Earth as a test and we'd be like "WHAT? I didn't do any of THOSE things. GIVE ME A CHANCE! How can You send me to hell when I can't answer to anything?"
At least if we experience it, and do wrong, or right, then when the day of judgement comes, there's nothing we can say, because what we've done, we've done and we know it.
How to behave in a calamity?
Allah makes it clear that everything in our lives – the good and the bad of it– is a trial for us. How will we cope in the situation that Allah has placed for us? Will we be grateful in prosperity and patient in affliction or will we be arrogant and disobedient?
If someone encounters a difficulty, or something that is hard to deal with, that means that Allah has also given them the strength to overcome the matter and succeed in the test.
“On no soul doth Allah Place a burden greater than it can bear” [Surah al Baqarah, 2:286---interpretation of the meaning]
Someone who dedicates every moment of his life to Allah and lives in submission to Him will display the same submission, trust in Allah and calm in the face of difficulties. No matter what the trouble, difficulty or complexity of the situation confronting him, the believer knows, right from the outset, that they will be easy to overcome for someone who has faith. He places his complete trust in Allah, knows that he draws his strength from that of Allah, and confronts the situation with faith and the moral values of the Qur’an
“How is it that Allah can test those who are beloved to Him?”
Summarizing the words of Ibn Taymiyyah, he answered:
“…because this forces the servant to repent”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If Allah Loves a people, He tests them.” [This hadith is hasan, and was reported by at-Tirmidhi (4/2396)]
The test of Allah can be very hard, but by means of it Allah raises the level of His prophets and erases the sins of the righteous believers.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) informed us that the presence of tests indicates the presence of iman and that a believer may continue to be tested until he has no sin remaining. Although Allah's tests can benefit us in the long run, a believer does not wish for the test of Allah - rather he always hopes for the forgiveness and mercy of Allah Most High.
The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) once said "How amazing is the affair of the believer! Everything which happens is good for him. And that is for no one except the believer. When he encounters good times and ease, he gives thanks and that is good for him and if he encounters hardship he is steadfast and that is good for him." [Muslim]
The Prophets and the righteous suffered more distress in this world than other people. Each person is tested according to the strength of his faith. If Allaah loves a person, He tests him.
Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet(peace be upon him): “O Messenger of Allah, which of the people suffers the most distress?” He said: “The Prophets, then those who come after them (in terms of status), then those who come after them. A man will be tested according to the strength of his faith. If his faith is strong, then the distress with which he is tried will be greater; if his faith is weak, he will be tested in accordance with the level of his faith. Distress will keep on befalling the slave until he walks on the face of the earth free from sin.”
Ibn Al-Jowzee said, "If this Dunya was not a station of tests it would not be filled with sicknesses and filth. If life was not about hardship, then the Prophets and the pious would have lived the most comfortable of lives. Nay, Adam suffered test after test until he left the Dunya. Nuh cried for 300 years. Ibrahim was thrown into a pit of fire and later told to slaughter his son. Ya'qub cried until he became blind. Musa challenged Fir'own and was tested by his people. Eeasa had no provision except the morsels his disciples provided him with. And Muhammad (Sal Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam) met poverty with patience, his uncle - one of the most beloved relatives to him - was slain and mutilated and his people disbelieved in him ... And the list of Prophets and the pious goes on and on."
Dua’as while facing calamities:
1) It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to say at times of distress: “Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah al-‘Azeem al-Haleem, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah Rabb al-‘Arsh al-‘azeem, la ilaaha ill-Allaah Rabb ul-samawaati wa Rabb ul-ard wa Rabb ul-‘Arsh il-kareem (There is no god but Allah, the All-Powerful, the Forbearing; there is no god but Allah, Lord of the mighty Throne; there is no god but Allah, Lord of heaven, Lord of earth, and Lord of the noble Throne).” [ al-Bukhaari, 6345; Muslim, 2730]
2) The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Shall I not tell you of something that, if any worldly calamity or disaster befalls any man among you and he says these words, he will be relieved of it. (It is) the du’aa’ of Dhu’l-Noon: “Laa ilaaha illa anta subhaanaka inni kuntu min al-zaalimeen (none has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah), Glorified (and Exalted) be You [above all that (evil) they associate with You]! Truly, I have been of the wrongdoers).” According to another report: “No Muslim man says this du’aa’ concerning anything but Allah will answer his prayer.” [Saheeh al-Jaami’ al-Sagheer wa Ziyaadatuhu, 2065]
3) The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to teach his Sahaabah to say these words when they felt afraid: “A’oodhu bi kalimaat-illaah il-taammati min ghadabihi wa min sharri ‘ibaadihi wa min hamazaat al-shayaateeni wa an yahduroon (I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from His wrath and from the evil of His slaves and from the evil promptings of the devils and from their presence).” [ Abu Dawood, 3893; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 3294]
4) The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The du’aa’ of the person who is in distress is: ‘Allaahumma rahmataka arjoo fa laa takilni ilaa nafsi tarfat ‘ayn wa aslih li sha’ni kullahu laa ilaaha illa anta (O Allah, for Your mercy I hope, so do not leave me in charge of my affairs even for the blink of an eye; rectify all my affairs. There is no god except You)’” [Abu Dawood, 5090; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 4246]
5) The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: to Asma’ bint ‘Umays, “Shall I not teach you some words which you can say at times of distress and hardship? ‘Allaahu rabbee laa ushriku bihi shay’an (Allah is my Lord, I do not associate anything with Him).’” [Abu Dawood, 1525; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 1349]
Allah says:
And surely, We shall try you till We test those who strive hard (for the Cause of Allah) and As-Sabirun (the patient), and We shall test your facts (i.e. the one who is a liar, and the one who is truthful). {Surah Muhammad, Chapter #47, Verse #31---interpretation of the meaning}
Do you think that you will enter Paradise before Allah tests those of you who fought (in His Cause) and (also) tests those who are As-Sabirun (the patient)? {Surah Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #142--- interpretation of the meaning}
And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirun (the patient). {Surah Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #155--- interpretation of the meaning}
So why do calamities befall us? Are we being tested then?
A believer may face calamities for various reasons.
It may be that s/he has sinned a lot and is thus subjected to punishment from Allah & His angeràThese types of punishment are NOT exactly the ones we face in our everyday life. The complete defeat of the Muslims and the overrunning of their homes and property by the disbelievers is the kind of punishment that serves as a sign of their having fallen out of Allah's favour through their crimes and sins
As a reminderàIt may also be that the believer has been slacking off in worshipping Allah and slowly indulging in the temptations of this world. So Allah sends down difficult times on such believer so that s/he may return back to Him and seek refuge.
It can be that Allah loves that person and thus is hasting with the punishments in this life so that on the Judgement day, that person can enter paradise easily without any hardship. As Allah says:
And that Allah may test (or purify) the believers (from sins) and destroy the disbelievers. { Surah Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #141---interpretation of the meaning}
The good thing about calamities are....
Every one of us is being tested by Allah. He tests us all in different ways. We should not assume that the difficulties that we face in life are punishments or are signs that Allah is displeased with us. Likewise, we should never construe the success and pleasures that others enjoy as signs that Allah is pleased with them or that they are privileged. Sometimes, quite the opposite is true.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If Allah wants good for his servant, He hurries on His punishment in this world, and if He wills ill for a servant, he holds back punishing him for his sin so He can give it to him in full on the Day of Resurrection.”
Paying for sins in this world is much easier than paying in the Hereafter.
He also said: "When Allah desires good for someone, He tries him with hardships." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “No Muslim is afflicted by harm, whether it is but the prick of a thorn or something worse, without Allah expiating his evil deeds on account of it and his sins falling away from him like leaves off a tree.'" [Sahîh al-Bukhârî]
How may we be tested?Allah has various ways to test us. Either by giving us abundantly or by showing us poverty. He may test us with our wealth, health, relations etc. We may also be tested through others. We know from experience that even a small child can experience suffering as well as a person who is mentally handicapped to such a degree that he cannot understand the concepts of Islam and is not legally accountable. Though it may not be that such a person is not undergoing tests of his own; however his plight may very well be a test for those his life affects. How will they treat him? Will they care for him, respect him, and give him his rights?
Ultimately, we must remember the words of Allah in the Qur’ân: “He cannot be questioned for what He does but they will be questioned.” [Sûrah al-Anbiyâ’: 23---interpretation of the meaning]
Why Allah tests us when He knows the result?
Imagine us being told we're going to hell even though we weren't put on this Earth as a test and we'd be like "WHAT? I didn't do any of THOSE things. GIVE ME A CHANCE! How can You send me to hell when I can't answer to anything?"
At least if we experience it, and do wrong, or right, then when the day of judgement comes, there's nothing we can say, because what we've done, we've done and we know it.
How to behave in a calamity?
Allah makes it clear that everything in our lives – the good and the bad of it– is a trial for us. How will we cope in the situation that Allah has placed for us? Will we be grateful in prosperity and patient in affliction or will we be arrogant and disobedient?
If someone encounters a difficulty, or something that is hard to deal with, that means that Allah has also given them the strength to overcome the matter and succeed in the test.
“On no soul doth Allah Place a burden greater than it can bear” [Surah al Baqarah, 2:286---interpretation of the meaning]
Someone who dedicates every moment of his life to Allah and lives in submission to Him will display the same submission, trust in Allah and calm in the face of difficulties. No matter what the trouble, difficulty or complexity of the situation confronting him, the believer knows, right from the outset, that they will be easy to overcome for someone who has faith. He places his complete trust in Allah, knows that he draws his strength from that of Allah, and confronts the situation with faith and the moral values of the Qur’an
“How is it that Allah can test those who are beloved to Him?”
Summarizing the words of Ibn Taymiyyah, he answered:
“…because this forces the servant to repent”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If Allah Loves a people, He tests them.” [This hadith is hasan, and was reported by at-Tirmidhi (4/2396)]
The test of Allah can be very hard, but by means of it Allah raises the level of His prophets and erases the sins of the righteous believers.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) informed us that the presence of tests indicates the presence of iman and that a believer may continue to be tested until he has no sin remaining. Although Allah's tests can benefit us in the long run, a believer does not wish for the test of Allah - rather he always hopes for the forgiveness and mercy of Allah Most High.
The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) once said "How amazing is the affair of the believer! Everything which happens is good for him. And that is for no one except the believer. When he encounters good times and ease, he gives thanks and that is good for him and if he encounters hardship he is steadfast and that is good for him." [Muslim]
The Prophets and the righteous suffered more distress in this world than other people. Each person is tested according to the strength of his faith. If Allaah loves a person, He tests him.
Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet(peace be upon him): “O Messenger of Allah, which of the people suffers the most distress?” He said: “The Prophets, then those who come after them (in terms of status), then those who come after them. A man will be tested according to the strength of his faith. If his faith is strong, then the distress with which he is tried will be greater; if his faith is weak, he will be tested in accordance with the level of his faith. Distress will keep on befalling the slave until he walks on the face of the earth free from sin.”
Ibn Al-Jowzee said, "If this Dunya was not a station of tests it would not be filled with sicknesses and filth. If life was not about hardship, then the Prophets and the pious would have lived the most comfortable of lives. Nay, Adam suffered test after test until he left the Dunya. Nuh cried for 300 years. Ibrahim was thrown into a pit of fire and later told to slaughter his son. Ya'qub cried until he became blind. Musa challenged Fir'own and was tested by his people. Eeasa had no provision except the morsels his disciples provided him with. And Muhammad (Sal Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam) met poverty with patience, his uncle - one of the most beloved relatives to him - was slain and mutilated and his people disbelieved in him ... And the list of Prophets and the pious goes on and on."
Dua’as while facing calamities:
1) It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to say at times of distress: “Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah al-‘Azeem al-Haleem, laa ilaaha ill-Allaah Rabb al-‘Arsh al-‘azeem, la ilaaha ill-Allaah Rabb ul-samawaati wa Rabb ul-ard wa Rabb ul-‘Arsh il-kareem (There is no god but Allah, the All-Powerful, the Forbearing; there is no god but Allah, Lord of the mighty Throne; there is no god but Allah, Lord of heaven, Lord of earth, and Lord of the noble Throne).” [ al-Bukhaari, 6345; Muslim, 2730]
2) The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Shall I not tell you of something that, if any worldly calamity or disaster befalls any man among you and he says these words, he will be relieved of it. (It is) the du’aa’ of Dhu’l-Noon: “Laa ilaaha illa anta subhaanaka inni kuntu min al-zaalimeen (none has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah), Glorified (and Exalted) be You [above all that (evil) they associate with You]! Truly, I have been of the wrongdoers).” According to another report: “No Muslim man says this du’aa’ concerning anything but Allah will answer his prayer.” [Saheeh al-Jaami’ al-Sagheer wa Ziyaadatuhu, 2065]
3) The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to teach his Sahaabah to say these words when they felt afraid: “A’oodhu bi kalimaat-illaah il-taammati min ghadabihi wa min sharri ‘ibaadihi wa min hamazaat al-shayaateeni wa an yahduroon (I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from His wrath and from the evil of His slaves and from the evil promptings of the devils and from their presence).” [ Abu Dawood, 3893; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 3294]
4) The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The du’aa’ of the person who is in distress is: ‘Allaahumma rahmataka arjoo fa laa takilni ilaa nafsi tarfat ‘ayn wa aslih li sha’ni kullahu laa ilaaha illa anta (O Allah, for Your mercy I hope, so do not leave me in charge of my affairs even for the blink of an eye; rectify all my affairs. There is no god except You)’” [Abu Dawood, 5090; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 4246]
5) The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: to Asma’ bint ‘Umays, “Shall I not teach you some words which you can say at times of distress and hardship? ‘Allaahu rabbee laa ushriku bihi shay’an (Allah is my Lord, I do not associate anything with Him).’” [Abu Dawood, 1525; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 1349]
Reference:
Al-ibtilaa’ (Allah’s Test) http://members.cox.net/arshad/allahtest.html
Ebrahim Saifuddin, Tests from Allah
Harun Yahya, An Important secret of the test
Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid, Dealing with worries & stress
Muhammad AlShareef, Sabr or shukr – The worry stops here
Sulayman bin ‘Abdillah bin Muhammad bin ‘Abd al-Wahhab, Kitab at-Tawhid
www.islamtoday.com
Uk.answers.yahoo.com
www.islamqa.ca
Al-ibtilaa’ (Allah’s Test) http://members.cox.net/arshad/allahtest.html
Ebrahim Saifuddin, Tests from Allah
Harun Yahya, An Important secret of the test
Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid, Dealing with worries & stress
Muhammad AlShareef, Sabr or shukr – The worry stops here
Sulayman bin ‘Abdillah bin Muhammad bin ‘Abd al-Wahhab, Kitab at-Tawhid
www.islamtoday.com
Uk.answers.yahoo.com
www.islamqa.ca
