Trials: A Mercy from Allah ﷻ

Bismillaahir Rah’maanir Rah’eem. All praise to Allah. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved unlettered Prophet, his family, and his noble companions. I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan, and I begin in the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. 

The Sign of a Believer

Once, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was seated among His noble companions. He then posed a question to them, inquiring about the indication of their faith. The companions responded by stating that when Allah ﷻ bestows upon them a life of prosperity, they express gratitude towards Him. Similarly, when they encounter trials and tribulations, they remain content with His ﷻ decree. Upon hearing this response, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) swore by the Lord of the Kaaba, affirming, “Indeed, you are the believers.” Demonstrating gratitude during times of abundance, exercising patience during times of hardship, and accepting Allah’s ﷻ destined path with contentment are clear indications of true believers. Such signs and contentment with the divine decree are unique to those who possess genuine faith. Being human, one holds a deep attachment to life, wealth, family, and honor. These four aspects become the test and trial for an individual.

Sabr Comes with the Love of Allah ﷻ

There was once a man who endured flogging as a punishment for engaging in forbidden love. He remained calm and composed throughout the ordeal, enduring 99 lashes without uttering a cry of pain. However, when the hundredth lash struck him, he screamed in agony. This sudden outburst surprised those witnessing the punishment, prompting them to inquire about the reason behind his change in behavior. The man explained that until the 99th lash, he had his beloved in his thoughts, which provided him solace. However, at the hundredth lash, the image of his beloved disappeared, intensifying his pain and causing him to scream out. Similarly, for a believer, Allah ﷻ is the most beloved, and His ﷻ presence is always in front of them. Therefore, they bear with patience whatever is destined by Him ﷻ. Their level of patience corresponds to the intensity of their love for Allah ﷻ. It is said that in the hereafter, Allah ﷻ will reward people based on the deeds He ﷻ weighs. When a person of patience (sabr) arrives, Allah ﷻ will grant them immeasurable rewards. Some individuals will attain high ranks in paradise, evoking envy from others. Those who wonder about their elevated status will be informed that these are the ones who demonstrated patience in the trials of worldly life. Upon hearing this and witnessing the rewards, they will wish their bodies had been cut with scissors in earthly life, just so they could have remained patient. Therefore, when Allah ﷻ intends to grant someone more, He ﷻ subjects them to greater trials. It is the Prophets of Allah (peace be upon them) who are tested the most, followed by those who closely adhere to their way of life.

The Season for Earning More Deeds

The period of trials for a believer can be likened to a season. Hazrat Muaa’dh (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that when a believer falls ill, the angel responsible for recording their bad deeds on the left side is commanded to cease their recording. Simultaneously, the angel on the right side, responsible for recording their good deeds, is instructed to write down all the good deeds the believer used to perform when they were in good health, even if they are unable to do so during their time of trial. Just as a person earns greater profit during a fruitful season, a believer accumulates more good deeds during the period of trials without actively engaging in them. Furthermore, sins are not recorded during this time. Additionally, the believer receives increased rewards for exercising patience (sabr). Thus, the believer finds contentment and peace in accepting the divine decree of Allah ﷻ, knowing that immense rewards await them through their trials. Therefore, it is advised not to complain to fellow creations during times of trial but rather raise one’s hands in supplication before Allah ﷻ and beseech Him.

The Trials Are Expiation of Sins

When a Muslim undergoes trials as a consequence of their sins, and they turn to Allah ﷻ with humility and repentance, those trials become a mercy upon them. However, if a person fails to turn to Allah ﷻ and humble themselves during a trial that results from their sins, it should be understood as the initial punishment from Allah ﷻ in this world, with the anticipation of a more severe punishment in the hereafter. On the other hand, when an individual repents to Allah ﷻ and increases their remembrance of Him ﷻ during trials, it is undoubtedly a manifestation of Allah’s mercy and favor upon them, leading to purification from all sins. When the verse was revealed, “Whosoever works evil, will have the recompense thereof, and he will not find any protector or helper besides Allah” (Quran, Surah An-Nisa, Ayah 123), Abu Bakr Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) became greatly concerned and rushed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), asking who could be saved from punishment now. In response, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said to Abu Bakr, “O Siddiq, haven’t you experienced sickness and trials after good health and prosperity? Verily, these become expiation for the sins of a believer, and he emerges purified.” The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) further explained that just as rain showers cleanse and purify, Allah ﷻ showers trials upon those He ﷻ loves until they traverse the earth free from sins. Although no one is more beloved to Allah ﷻ than the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), he faced numerous trials throughout his life. Likewise, the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), after the Prophets, held an esteemed position and were deeply loved by Allah ﷻ. Yet, they endured tremendous trials, including the loss of their homes, wealth, and families. They faced physical hardships and endured verbal abuse from their enemies.

Allah Is the Most Merciful and Affectionate of All

When a child is young, their mother bathes them, pouring water over them, applying soap, and scrubbing them, even if the child screams and protests, wanting to get out of the bathroom. The mother doesn’t pay heed to the child’s cries and proceeds to undress them forcefully to give them a thorough bath. As the child grows and matures, they feel a sense of gratitude towards their mother, realizing how caring she was in purifying them and preventing them from remaining dirty. Allah ﷻ, the Most Loving of all those who love, is even more affectionate than a mother. He ﷻ purifies a believer of their sins and evils through the bath of trials. We may shed tears during such trials, but as we spiritually mature, we come to realize the immense favor Allah ﷻ bestows upon us by guiding us through these challenges. In every decision of Allah ﷻ, His wisdom is present; in every decision, His affection is evident; in every decision, His love is apparent; and in every decision, His mercy prevails. Let us recognize Him, for He is truly the embodiment of boundless love.

The Excellence of the Words “Inna Lillaahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Raajioon”

Exercising patience (sabr) is the most prominent characteristic of a believer, yet in today’s world, we often lack patience. Consider the example of Imran bin Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him), a companion of the Prophet ﷺ, who remained bedridden for thirty-two years, unable to move. During this time, he could only eat and relieve himself while being assisted by others. However, despite his physical condition, his face radiated with peace, contentment, and a divine glow that surpassed even those who were healthy. When asked about his state, he responded that when Allah ﷻ is pleased with his condition, he is also pleased with Him. As previously mentioned, the period of trials serves as a season of opportunity for a believer to earn abundant rewards. Unfortunately, we often squander this precious time by complaining and distancing ourselves from Allah ﷻ, whereas He ﷻ desires for us to turn to Him, supplicate, and seek His mercy during such moments. Indeed, it is a time of immense mercy. Allah ﷻ’s words hold great wonder and astonishment when He ﷻ promises to send blessings upon us when we say, “inna lillaahi wa inna ilaihi raaji’oon” (Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return) during times of trial. It brings us closer to Allah ﷻ, and His mercy becomes evident during these times. However, we often reserve the recitation of this verse solely for moments of death, neglecting its relevance in times of general difficulties. Once, while sitting with Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), the beloved Prophet ﷺ experienced a blown-out lamp. In response, he recited “inna lillaahi wa inna ilaihi raaji’oon.” Surprised, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) asked why he was reciting it at that moment. The Prophet ﷺ replied, “O Aisha! Whenever a Muslim faces difficulty, he recites this, and didn’t it cause us difficulty?” This incident highlights the significance of reciting this verse during various challenging situations, not just limited to times of death.

The words of our Lord are truly astonishing and carry a profound sweetness. When we say, “inna lillah” (Indeed, to Allah we belong), we are expressing our recognition that everything belongs to Him. We acknowledge that whatever we possess has been granted by Him alone, and we belong solely to Him. He has the ultimate authority over all things, and it is His prerogative to give or take away from us. As His servants, who are we to object when He decides to take something away from us? Furthermore, the phrase “wa inna ilaihi raajioon” (and indeed, to Him we will return) adds another layer of amazement. O my Lord, despite everything belonging to You, You have instructed us to spend our wealth, our lives, and even our families. Therefore, we are returning to You seeking the reward for these things which You have bestowed upon us. Trials and hardships are inevitable in this world, but the unfortunate reality is that some people pass through trials without gaining any benefit from them. There are three scenarios when it comes to facing trials: Firstly, a person endures trials without repenting or turning to Allah ﷻ. In such cases, these trials serve as a form of punishment in this world, with a more severe punishment awaiting them in the hereafter. Secondly, a person goes through trials, but they repent to Allah ﷻ and draw closer to Him. Through these trials, they find purification from their sins and experience a greater closeness to their Creator. And thirdly, there are individuals who are granted the ability to repent immediately after committing even a minor sin. Trials may come their way to elevate their ranks and increase their closeness to Allah ﷻ.

Trials Elevates One’s Rank 

Indeed, our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has taught us that sometimes Allah ﷻ desires to bestow a higher rank upon His slave in Jannah, but their worldly deeds may not be sufficient for that rank. In such cases, Allah ﷻ puts them through trials, and through their patience and perseverance during these trials, He ﷻ elevates them to the higher rank that He ﷻ had intended for them. This world is a place where we can earn deeds, and the period of trials is a season of opportunity to earn even more. These trial periods are incredibly precious, as one can earn an abundance of rewards in a single night of trial that may surpass what they could earn in their entire lifetime. It is truly unfortunate to waste such a valuable and opportune time. We must realize that trials are not always a form of punishment. If that were the case, the most beloved slaves of Allah ﷻ would not have endured trials. For example, Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) would not have been made to lie under the scorching sun in the desert, and Khubaib (may Allah be pleased with him) would not have been subjected to hanging. Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her), the daughter of the Prophet ﷺ, holds the esteemed position of being the leader of the women in Jannah. We can only imagine the elevated status she holds in the sight of Allah ﷻ. Yet, if we examine her life, it was filled with trials and hardships. She had scars on her hands from laborious tasks and carrying water pots. These examples demonstrate that trials are not necessarily a sign of displeasure from Allah ﷻ. Rather, they can be a means of raising our ranks and increasing our closeness to Him. It is not for us to ask for trials, but when they come, we should strive to be patient and make the most of them in our favor.

The Great People of This Ummah Faced Tough Trials

Imam Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) was indeed a great personality, known for his vast knowledge and the widespread benefit derived from his teachings even today. However, he too faced trials and hardships. He was dragged through the streets of Madinah by oppressors, enduring physical and emotional pain. Despite these tribulations, his knowledge and contributions to Islam continue to inspire and guide millions. Similarly, Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah be pleased with him) was a remarkable figure whose knowledge has had a profound impact on the Muslim community. Many Muslims across the world benefit from his teachings. Indeed, our pious predecessors recognized the significant roles played by Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him) in preserving the essence and integrity of Islam. Abu Bakr, known as Siddiq-e-Akbar (the Greatest Truthful One), demonstrated remarkable wisdom, insight, and a strong sense of honor. After the passing of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, when many Arab tribes began renouncing their faith and refusing to pay the obligatory zakat, Abu Bakr stood firm and ensured the preservation of Islam. His leadership and unwavering commitment to the principles of the religion played a pivotal role in keeping the community united and upholding the teachings of Islam. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, on the other hand, faced a significant challenge during his time. There was a belief propagated by some that the Quran was a creation and not a divine revelation. The ruler of that period strongly supported this belief. However, Imam Ahmad boldly stood against it, firmly upholding the orthodox belief that the Quran is the eternal and uncreated Word of Allah. Due to his refusal to compromise on this matter, he endured severe persecution and was subjected to eighty lashes, each strike being extremely painful comparable to what would cause an elephant to move from its place. Yet, he remained steadfast and resolute in defending the truth. His funeral prayer was eventually conducted from the prison. Imam Shafi (may Allah be pleased with him), another eminent scholar, experienced severe illness during his final days. Despite his immense knowledge, he too faced physical trials and suffering.

Allah ﷻ Takes Immediate Retribution from Those Whom He ﷻ Loves 

When Allah ﷻ intends to bestow goodness upon someone, He immediately takes them into account and purifies them from their sins. There is a narration about a companion who encountered a woman he knew from the days of ignorance. As he was looking at her while walking, he accidentally hit his head against a wall, causing blood to stain his head. When he arrived in that state before the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the Prophet ﷺ explained that when Allah ﷻ intends to grant a favor, He ﷻ may exact retribution immediately. During times of trial, it is important for a person to reflect upon their inner and outer state. They should examine if they are engaged in any sinful actions, assess their business dealings for any prohibited elements, evaluate their conduct within the confines of their home, and scrutinize the upbringing of their children. If any wrongdoing is found in these areas, one should sincerely repent to Allah ﷻ and firmly believe that the trial is actually a blessing from Allah ﷻ. At times, punishments may appear as blessings, such as when a person continues to commit sins while enjoying increased wealth, good health, and a prosperous family life. Outwardly, this may seem like blessings, but in reality, it is a form of punishment from Allah ﷻ, who holds the sinner accountable in the hereafter. Similarly, trials may actually be blessings, even though they may initially appear as punishments, such as experiencing poor health, business losses, or the loss of family members. When faced with a series of trials, such as health issues, illness in one’s children, or financial losses, it is common for people to mistakenly attribute consecutive trials or hardships to the actions of others. It is beneficial to request supplications from those who are sick, as their prayers are more likely to be accepted by Allah ﷻ. When we face trials, the prayers we make for ourselves are gathered by Allah ﷻ and will be rewarded in the hereafter. Therefore, let us refrain from complaining during times of trial and instead long for the rewards that await us from Allah ﷻ.

-Sheikh Maulana Abdus Sattar (DB)