WHY ARE WE TESTED WITH HARDSHIPS?
When people face hardships and tribulations they must do their best not to despair but rather be joyous of the blessing these bring with them.
Almighty God says in the Koran (meaning), “We will certainly test you with the touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure, who, when faced with a disaster, say, ‘Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we will all return. They are the ones who will receive Allah’s blessings and mercy. And it is they who are rightly guided. (Sura Al-Baqarah ayat 155-157).
The Almighty also says (meaning), “(He is the One) who created death and life in order to test which of you is best in deeds. He is the Almighty, All-Forgiving.” (Sura Al-Mulk, ayah 2).
Another verse of the Holy Koran tells us (meaning), “Do you think you will be admitted into Paradise without being tested like those before you? They were afflicted with suffering and adversity and were so (violently) shaken that (even) the Messenger and the believers with him cried out, “When will Allah’s help come?” Indeed, Allah’s help is (always) near.’” (Sura Al-Baqarah, ayah 214).
When we, people, face hardships, it is an opportunity for us to earn higher ranks. If we show patience, we will definitely earn God’s mercy and blessing. The more the suffering and the more one’s patience, the more the blessing one receives.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Verily, with greater rewards come greater trials. Verily, when Allah loves a people he will test them. Whoever is pleased will be satisfied, and whoever is displeased will be indignant.” (Narrated by At-Tirmidhi).
It is hard to know the true character of a person until he is in a good situation, in good circumstances. However, if a trial or difficulty or a hardship befalls him, then you will see his reality. The true believer will show his belief, while the hypocrite will show his hypocrisy.
Hardship and suffering are blessings in disguise. They are moments of testing. A test that you pass with patience will grant you more rewards than you can imagine. Once overcome that period of testing will just remain a memory of the past.
Therefore, a person should be joyous that Almighty God is testing him and that God has given him an opportunity because of His love for him and his wanting the best for him.
It is your patience that will get you through. There is nothing worth worrying about when your life is controlled and in the hands of the Almighty, the Compassionate, the most loving. Run to Him for help and to find solace that this time will be over. Run to Him as that is what He is testing you for.
It was recorded in Buhari and Muslim that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “For whomsoever Allah wants good, he puts tests them. He puts them through difficulties, like a diamond or some metal that has to be heated so that whatever is bad is removed so as to produce pure diamond or pure gold.”
One must understand that the Almighty runs this world and that a man has no control over anything. All that happens is by the will of God; a man has no power to steer it his way. As we are aware, this world is a place of testing. And in so being it is a test. It will last for only so long and then God will make it better. No hardship is without purpose and no suffering is without reward.
A time of hardships and difficulties provides a chance to get closer to the Almighty, to earn more rewards and to show the strength of our faith by leaving it all up to God and by being patient.
So welcome your hardships for they are blessings. Know that God the Almighty loves you. That is why He wishes to purify you. God loves you and He has given you an opportunity to come closer to Him. God loves you and that is why He has allowed you to earn more rewards. He loves you and that is why He put you through tribulations to test your faith and love for Him. God loves you and He will never abandon you.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “How excellent are the affairs of the believer: his affairs, all of them, are good for him; this is not the case with anyone except a believer. If prosperity comes to him, he is thankful (to God), and if adversity falls on him, he perseveres patiently: so it is all good (for him).” (Narrated by Muslim and Ahmad).
