TESTS AND TRIALS FOR THE FAITHFUL

The word “Test” and “Trial” has been used 38 times in the Glorious Qur’an.

Every faithful must go through the “Tests and Trials” in life. Even the Prophets had to go through it. Prophet Ibra’him was also tested and was awarded the title of “Imam” as stated in the Glorious Qur’an in Ayah 124 of Surah al-Baqarah, “When his Lord tested Ibrahim’s faith (by His words) and he satisfied the test, He said, “I am appointing you as the leader of mankind.” Ibrahim asked, “Will this leadership also continue through my descendants?” The Lord replied, “The unjust do not have the right to exercise My authority.”

All-Powerful Allah (s.w.t.) tests people and expects them to be patient and if successful, shall shower His Blessings and Mercy on them as stated in Ayah 155 to 157 of Surah al-Baqarah, “We shall test you through fear, hunger, loss of life, property and crops. (Muhammad), give glad news to the people who have patience and in difficulty say, “We are the servants of Allah and to Him we shall all return. It is they who will receive blessings and mercy from their Lord and who follow the right guidance.”

Some of the Ayahs used in the Glorious Qur’an are given as under:

Children of Israel, recall My favor of saving you from the Pharaoh’s people who afflicted you with the worst kind of cruelty, slaying your sons and sparing your women. Your suffering was indeed a great trial from your Lord. (2:49)

Then He let you face the defeat to test you. Allah is Gracious to the believers. (3:152)

You (believers) will certainly be tested by the loss of your property and lives. (3:186)

Allah will test you concerning what you hunt, so that He would know who is afraid of Him in private. (5:94)

We have made some of you do good deeds of a higher degree than others. He will test you in this way through what He has revealed to you. (6:165)

(Muhammad), ask them about the (people of the) towns on the seashore. They had transgressed by catching fish on the Sabbath when the fish came openly within their reach but not on other days. Thus, We were testing them because of their evil deeds. (7:163)

It was not you (believers) but Allah who slew the pagans. It was not you (Muhammad) but Allah who threw dust at them. He did this as a favorable test for the believers. (8:17)

His throne existed on water so that He could test you and find out those among you who do good deeds. (11:7)

Allah tests your faiths by your oaths. (16:92)

(Muhammad), We told you that your Lord has encompassed all mankind. We showed you and the condemned tree mentioned in the Qur’an, as a trial for the human being. (17:60)

We have caused earthly things to seem attractive so that We can see who will excel in good deeds. (18:7)

Do not be envious of what We have given to some people as means of enjoyment, spouses and worldly delight. Such means are a trial for them, but the reward you will receive from your Lord will be far better and everlasting. (20:131)

Every soul must experience the taste of death. We test you with both hardships and blessings. (21:35)

We would make Satan’s temptations a trial for those whose hearts are hard and sick. (22:53)

In this story (Noah’s Ark) there is enough evidence (of the Truth); thus, do We try (mankind). (23:30)

Do people think they will not be tested because they say, “We have faith?” (29:2)

We had tried those who lived before them to make sure who were truthful in their faith and who were liars (29:3)

We shall certainly test you until We know those who strive for hard for the cause of Allah and those who exercise patience. We will also examine your deeds. (47:31)

It is He who has created death and life to put you to the test and see which of you is most virtuous in your deeds (67:2)

When his Lord tests the human being, honors, and grants him bounty, he says, “Allah has honored me.” However, when his Lord tests him by a measured amount of sustenance, he says, “Allah has disgraced me.” (89:15,16)