Allah (swt) says in the Quran that when trouble comes into our life it is a consequence of our own actions and in a hadith Prophet Muhammad saw said that the most tried are Prophets, then those in piety after them.
In daily life, when something goes wrong… how do we know if its the result of our sins or whether Allah is testing us therefore sending a trial upon us?
Sicknesses and such are usually the direct results of sin, or is that incorrect?
Thanks
Re: Question: punishment or trial?
Out of curiosity, which ayat in particular are you referring to?
In general, I think what comes our way is adversity...and this may be by no fault of our own. What matters is how we deal with it. We have the example of Ayub (Job), who was striken with adversity after adversity, and patently refused to turn away from Allah. This, even though his particular series of adversity was a direct trial from Allah.
Not only did he not turn away from Allah, but after each calamity, he thanked his Creator for whatever blessings remained.
I don't know if all adversity is a test or not...but certainly how we deal with it is what counts.
Another point with Ayub was that he was a sinless Prophet. He did no wrong. Yet he was tested and faced with adversity, even though he did nothing to bring it on.
Re: Question: punishment or trial?
^ Very well said. I especially like the example of Ayub (A.S).
Saby: Also read Surah Yusuf and see how Yusuf (A.S) was tested through out his life until he finally reunited with his family. The hardship we face in our daily life does not necessarily mean that it is because of our sins. It could also be a test of Allah to make us have sabr so He can reward us. For example, sickness is from Allah but look at Allah's mercy; In a hadith, Prophet (S.A.W) said that when a person is sick, he/she does not face illness except that Allah forgivess some of his/her sins for it. So in a way, sickness is also a blessing for us.
You also mention a hadith where the Prophet said that the most tried are Prophets, then those in piety after them. This is correct though in another hadith, Prophet said 'most closest to Allah' instead of 'those in piety.'
Hence, do not always think that the things you are facing are your fault. Sometimes Allah makes us go through trials to make us better muslims and forgive some of our sins for our patience. This is His blessing and no doubt that whatever hardship we come across is for our better. So just learn from each trial, thank Allah always and remember Him in good times so that He may remember you in bad times. And bow down with those who bow down to none other than Allah, and always have patience and believe in Allah whenever faced with hardship.
Re: Question: punishment or trial?
Under the light of Hadiths and Quranic verses which I read, I sincerely feel the following ( though I might be wrong. In that case may Allah forgive me)
There are mostly two reason's for Which a muslim is given pain in this world, by Allah
Criteria for most muslims
Allah wants to wash away their past sins so as to save them from the greater punishment on the day of judgement. The pain of this world is nothing as compared to the pain in the hereafter. On the day of Judgement after seeing the rewards of heaven and punishments of the hell, every muslim would wish that it would have been better if Allah had washed away all his sins by giving him most intense pain through out his worldly life, so that it would have saved him from the fire of hell. ( which is 3000 times more hot than the fire in this world)
When in this life, a muslims starts deviating from the track towards Allah, Allah gives him a push/ jolt so that he might return to the track which leads to Allah's will. The intensity of the push is directly proportional to the extent to which the muslim has deviated from the track.
The criteria is mostly different for the one who starts walking 180 degress opposite to the track of Allah. Than Allah let him enjoy in this would and gives him "Dheel" till his death, from where punishment starts.
Criteria for Prophets, Suhabas, Waliullahs, Saints,
That is why the MOST beloved Prophet (saw) of Allah faced the MOST worst ever mental, physical and spiritual pains in his life in all aspects so that the Justice should prevail on the day of Judgement.
Re: Question: punishment or trial?
dear Sabriya,
absolutely Allah swt tests us. Quaran Sharif has may ayet where Allah swt says, Allah is merciful to whom he wills.
we may nbver know in what way and when Allah swt will surprise us with his mercy & when we will have strife.
we must always treat others kindly and prevent doing hurtful things to others.
Dushwari
Re: Question: punishment or trial?
It is a trial from God when in adversity one turns towards God. it is Punishment when in times of adversity one turns away from God.
Re: Question: punishment or trial?
No one can say if it is a test or punishment. But the remedy remains the same. One could repente and askk for forgiveness for Allah (SWT) and be in more submission, in both cases.
But the fact is this (as quoted by Sabriya, in Hadees) that only very pious people are tested.
In our case, we should assume that its a punishment, ask for forgiveness from Allah and also be content about that. Chances are that of we are punished here for someting, we might not be punished again for that. That should be big relief