SaqibSaab

Tests from Allah

Both of the AlMaghrib seminars I took in Windsor, ON in 2007 mentioned tests from Allah. The first was Seerah: The Shepherd’s Path by Muhammad Alshareef. The second was A Heart Serene: Studies In Tazkiyah by Riad Ourazazzi. Here’s some gems from both.

1. Recognizing the Tests

Think of that one girl you know who’s got the perfect life. She’s beautiful. She has so many friends and everyone loves her. She has lots of money, the cutest outfits, and a huge house with the perfect kitchen. She always looks and feels great, never getting sick.

Or think of that one guy in your community who’s life you wish you had. He’s in guaranteed medicine program and does great in school. He became a Hafidh and a prolific speaker at conferences and community dinners. Heck, he’s even engaged to the girl you imagined one day marrying.

Nothing is a test for them, right?

WRONG. Those ARE their tests! Their “perfect” lives and adundance of wealth, health, status, and joy are actually tests. Will she be thankful to Allah, giving tons in charity and keeping herself humble, or will she be full of herself because of her blessings, living a life of materialism and negligence? Will he use his God given blessings to serve his Lord, or will he attribute all success to himself and not do anything for Allah?

Trials from Allah (SWT) aren’t always “bad”. Sometimes the “good” things in your life are actually the very trials that can destroy you.

2. Know tests can be worse

Shaykh Muhammad Alshareef gave the example of someone being thrown in jail in America. Sure, it may be a terrible thing to happen to someone, but that person should imagine being thrown in jail somewhere overseas; subject to torture, mutilation, blackmail, or worse. Perspective is huge.

Everyone has it bad in one way or another, but never should you feel that you have it the worst. Anyone can agree and write a list a million pages long for ways that life can be much worse, no problem. The key is remembering list when it’s most forgotten: during the time of the test.

3. The closer you come to Allah (SWT), the bigger your tests

If we look at the lives of people in history who were closest to Allah, we find that the higher their level was, the more often and severely they were tested.

Shaykh Riad Ourzazi brought up examples of the past. Prophet Nuh (AS) spent a third of his 950 year long life crying from being rejected by his people. Yaqub (AS) had to face the possibility of his most beloved sons being murdered by his other children, weeping to Allah (SWT). Musa (AS) had to rise up against the biggest tyrant ever in history. The Prophet’s (SAW) and the Sahaba’s lives, we know, were filled with trials and tribulations. And the same goes for the many stories of pious people throughout history.

As you live life trying to become a better Muslim, increasing your knowledge, good deeds, and Eman, you will find the tests getting bigger and bigger. If this is the case, then smile.

That’s right, be relieved! It’s a good thing; it shows that Allah loves you. From the examples of the past it’s clear that the ones tested the most and the hardest were the ones that Allah loves. So if you find yourself afflicted by something terrible, be happy and thankful that Allah is giving you a sign that He’s pleased with you and a chance to prove your worth to Him.

The tricky part is realizing this during the test, and the reason why it’s important to learn and absorb this idea now to be prepared for when the storm of difficulties hits you.

But if you feel you’re not being tested or you can’t identify any big tests in your life, then check your Eman because you’ve got some problems. May Allah (SWT) help us recognize our tests, pass them, and get closer to Him.