Should Difficulties Be Viewed as a Test from Allah or as a Consequence of Sins?

Question: when a person goes through difficult situations, is it better to view them as a test from Allah, or should he also consider them as a consequence of his sins? And how can we distinguish between the two?

Summary:

The believer combines between both meanings: • He views the trial as a test from Allah to examine his patience. • And he views it also as a reminder of his sins, so he repents and seeks forgiveness. ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "No trial descends except due to a sin, and it is not lifted except by repentance." Therefore, the most complete approach is that the servant regards it as a test so he remains patient, and regards it also as a consequence of his sins so he repents, thus gaining both virtues, patience and turning back to Allah.

Answer:

In the name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah, and may Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)

When a believer is afflicted with hardships and calamities, the foundation is to know that everything that befalls him is by the decree of Allah, and that Allah, Glorified be He, tests His servants with both good and evil as a trial for them. Allah the Exalted said:

From the Qur'an:

  • al-Anbiya: 35
    "Every soul will taste death. And We test you ˹O humanity˺ with good and evil as a trial, then to Us you will ˹all˺ be returned."

At the same time, these trials may also be a punishment or a result of sins. Allah the Exalted said:

From the Qur'an:

  • ash-Shura: 30
    "Whatever affliction befalls you is because of what your own hands have committed. And He pardons much."

Therefore: • On one side, they are a test from Allah to examine the patience and gratitude of the servant. • On the other side, they may be a recompense for sins, by which Allah expiates misdeeds and raises ranks.

From the Scholars:

  • Majmu‘ al-Fatawa 10/33
    Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "Calamities expiate the sins of the servant, and they are a trial for him. If he is patient and seeks reward, it becomes a means of elevation for him with Allah"
  • Hilyat al-Awliya 2/148
    Al-Hasan al-Basri, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "Indeed, a man is deprived of provision because of a sin he commits"

How to distinguish: • If the servant is tested while he is steadfast upon obedience, then it is most likely a test, an elevation, and an increase in rank, just as the prophets and the righteous were tested. The Prophet ﷺ said:

From the Sunnah:

  • Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī: 2398 and Authenticated by al-AlbānīMus'ab bin Sa'd narrated from his father that a man said:
    "O Messenger of Allah(s.a.w)! Which of the people is tried most severely?" He said: "The Prophets, then those nearest to them, then those nearest to them. A man is tried according to his religion; if he is firm in his religion, then his trials are more severe, and if he is frail in his religion, then he is tried according to the strength of his religion. The servant shall continue to be tried until he is left walking upon the earth without any sins."

• But if he is tested while persisting upon sin, then it is more likely that the trial came as an expiation of sins and as a reminder for the servant to repent and return.

And Allah knows best.

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