The three types of trials

 بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد 

🌟 The three types of trials:
1. Trails for elevating the status
2. Trials as a reminder
3. Trials as a punishment

👉 Foremost, you must realize that you were not created for this world. You were created for the Hereafter. Either the permanent bliss in Paradise or the painful punishment in the Hellfire. 

💠 THE FIRST TYPE OF PEOPLE:
(Trails for elevating the status)

Perhaps a person may be righteous. His relationship with Allaah is good, upon servitude, obedience, and righteousness, and his sins are less, he is obedient to his parents, he strictly guards the prayers, prays on time, recites the Qur’aan, etc. All his affairs are good! Yet, after all this, he is afflicted with sickness or falls into debt, or loses his job, and he lives in poverty and destitution. He supplicates and supplicates, but it seems to him that his prayers are not being answered.

This is a form of trial. Look at the condition of this person! If he is indeed as he is portraying, righteous and obedient, and his relationship with Allaah is strong, then such a person should not be worried. Indeed, for him, there is a great example in the lives of the Prophets and Messengers of Allaah to follow!

Q: Who was the Prophet who lost six of his children in his lifetime?!
A: Muhammad ﷺ. 

Q: Who was the Prophet whose son was missing for a long time?
A: Ya`qoob عليه السلام. 

Q: Who was the Prophet who was sold like the slaves were sold?
A: Yusuf عليه السلام.

Q: And who was the Prophet who was stricken with illness for a long time, and all his children had died?
A: Ayyoob عليه السلام.

Were any of these Prophets sinners? Were they disobedient? NO! Rather, they were the most obedient slaves of Allaah, the chosen ones, whom Allaah chose for His Message.

Rather, Allaah تعالى Willed to elevate their status, so He تعالى afflicted them with trials.

Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ said: ❝If Allaah wants to do good to someone, He afflicts him with trials.❞
📚 [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5645)]

The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said: ❝When Allaah wants good for his slave, He hastens his punishment in the world. And when He intends evil for His slave, He does not hasten to take him to the task but calls him to account on the Day of Resurrection.❞ 

And the Prophet ﷺ also said: ❝Indeed greater reward comes with a greater trial. And indeed, when Allaah loves a people He subjects them to trials, so whoever is content, then for him is pleasure, and whoever is discontent, then for him is wrath.❞
📚 [Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2396) and graded as “Hasan Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said: ❝When Allaah has previously decreed for a servant a rank which he has not attained by his action, He afflicts him in his body, or his property, or his children. He (تعالى) then enables him to endure that, so that He may bring him to the rank previously decreed for him by Allaah.❞
📚 [Sunan Abu Dawood (3090), and graded as "Saheeh" by al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah (2599)]

So, if you are upon goodness and obedience, and you are afflicted by trials, then praise Allaah and thank Him. Allaah has decreed to elevate your status. Perhaps Allaah تعالى saw your Salaah and found a weakness in it, or that you do not wake up for the night prayers nor do you Fast optional Fasting. A person might be righteous and have a good relationship with Allaah, but his acts of `Ibaadah are weak. So, Allaah afflicts you in your health, wealth, or children, and along with this He تعالى also gives you the endurance to bear this patiently, so that your status is elevated in the Jannah. Allaah تعالى wants you to be in the highest station in the Jannah, in al-Firdaus, and not on the outskirts of the Jannah.

That’s why be patient and accept and be pleased with the decree of Allaah, and praise Allaah for this.

No affliction descends upon a person from Allaah except that it is with Wisdom from Him.

And no good or harm touches a person except it is with Wisdom from Him.

And whatever blessing descends upon a person from Allaah is a favor from Him, سبحانه وتعالى.

So, endure this patiently, and have faith and trust in the promise of Allaah:

﴿إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ﴾‏

 {Only those who are patient shall receive their rewards in full, without reckoning}
📚 [Surah al-Zumar (39): 10]

What is the limit of their reward?! The reward is abundant and without measure. Allaah has promised those who are patient, their reward is without measure, that is, without limit or counting. That is only because of the virtue and high status of al-Sabr before Allaah.

Do you know what is the meaning of “without measure”? When you plan to spend your money on something, you begin calculating. How much should I spend on groceries? How much fuel should I put in the car? How much of this and how much of that? You begin calculating, but why? Because your spending power is limited! But Allaah تعالى provides without measure, He تعالى does not count and does not limit the reward of those who are patient. He provides generously from His vast treasures which never deplete.

﴿مَا عِندَكُمْ يَنفَدُ ۖ وَمَا عِندَ اللَّهِ بَاقٍ ۗ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّ الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ﴾‏

{Whatever you have will be exhausted, and what Allaah has is everlasting. And as for those who are patient, We will certainly pay them a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do.}
📚 [Surah al-Nahl (16): 96]

Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ said that Allaah تعالى said: ❝{O My servants, were the first of you and the last of you, the human of you and the jinn of you to stand in one place and make a request of Me, and were I to give everyone what he requested, then that would not decrease what I Possess, except what is decreased of the ocean when a needle is dipped into it.}❞
📚 [Saheeh Muslim. Part of longer of Hadeeth]

This is how Allaah تعالى provides for His servants who have been patient!

 

💠 THE SECOND TYPE OF PEOPLE:
(Trials as a reminder)

A second type is a person who is Believer but has mixed his good deeds with bad deeds.

﴿وَآخَرُونَ اعْتَرَفُوا بِذُنُوبِهِمْ خَلَطُوا عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَآخَرَ سَيِّئًا عَسَى اللَّهُ أَن يَتُوبَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ﴾‏

{And (there are) others who have acknowledged their sins, they have mixed a deed that was righteous with another that was evil. Perhaps Allaah will turn unto them in forgiveness. Surely, Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.}
📚 [Surah al-Tawbah (9): 102]

This type of person, when he sins, he acknowledges that he did wrong, regrets it, and seeks Allaah’s forgiveness.

He might be having wealth, and he uses this wealth in doing or purchasing wrong things, but he still prays, and gives in charity, but is drowning in sins. Allaah تعالى will sometimes put such a person to trial. But these trials from Allaah are a reminder for him, and to warn and alert him. They are meant to remind him of Allaah and His punishment. As Allaah تعالى said:

﴿ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِي النَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعْضَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ﴾‏

{Corruption (evil) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil deeds, etc.), so that Allaah may make them taste a part of that which they have done, so that they may return (by repenting to Allaah and seeking his forgiveness).}
📚 [Surah al-Room (30): 41]

Why do these corruptions appear in the land, sea, and air?! This is because of the people’s bad deeds. The rain which is a blessing from Allaah to grow vegetation, and for reviving a dead land, becomes a source of punishment and death through flooding.

A person might lose his wealth, fall sick, or get afflicted with some other types of trials because of his disobedience, his sins, and because he has misused the blessing of Allaah in doing things that displease Allaah. Since that person enjoyed a sin, now he suffers the consequences of his actions: {so that Allaah may make them taste a part of that which they have done}

What is the purpose of these trials?! The purpose is, as Allaah تعالى said: {so that they may return}. Return to Allaah through repentance, seeking forgiveness, and doing righteous deeds.

This is the mercy of Allaah for you! The trials are for reducing your sins.

Sa`d Ibn Abee Waqqas رضي الله عنه said: I said: O Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم, which people are most severely tested?’ He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ❝The Prophets, then the next best, and the next best. A person is tested according to his (firmness in) religion. If he is steadfast in his religious commitment, he will be tested more severely, and if he is frail in his religious commitment, his test will be according to his commitment. Trials will continue to afflict a person until they leave him walking on the earth with no sin on him.❞
📚 [Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2398) and Sunan Ibn Maajah (4023) and graded as “Hasan-Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

When Allaah تعالى sees that you are squandering the wealth in Haraam things, He تعالى might take it away from you. Sometimes it does not benefit you to become rich, but there is a benefit for you in remaining poor. Because if you become rich, you might get corrupted. But when you are poor, you would be found praying in the first rows, waking up for the night prayers, and Fasting optional Fasts. When you are in need, `Ibadah (worship) becomes more beloved to you, you seek Allaah in the Masaajid, and you seek nearness to Allaah in the middle (or last third) of the nights when everyone else is sleeping.

The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said: ❝The poor will be admitted into Paradise before the rich, by five hundred years, (i.e.) half a day.❞
📚 [Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2354) and graded as “Hasan-Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

When you know your Lord and when you seek nearness to Him, He تعالى will respond to your prayers.

So, if you see that you are on the path of evil and sin, and then trials overtake you, then praise Allaah and thank Him that He تعالى has put you to trials in this world and that He تعالى did not delay it till the day of Judgment.

The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said: ❝When Allaah wants good for his slave, He hastens his punishment in the world. And when He intends evil for His slave, He does not hasten to take him to the task but calls him to account on the Day of Resurrection.❞
📚 [Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2396) and graded as “Hasan Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Analyze and bring yourself to account; pay heed and take care of yourself; amend your ways and reform yourself; rectify your actions and purify your intentions.

Perhaps you may be working hard and still not earning a profit. You may be complaining about why your business is not successful, while your workers are supplicating against you in the middle of the night because you did not give them their rights, or you have been delaying their wages, or you have been treating them badly.

Therefore, examine yourself thoroughly so that you can correct yourself properly. Perhaps your actions (bad deeds) have become a hindrance to your own success.

 

💠 THE THIRD TYPE OF PEOPLE:
(Trials as a punishment)

This type of person is drowning in sins and disobedience, but he still does not repent nor has any regrets for his actions, rather he may even apostatize, deny Allaah, display Kufr (disbelief), or becomes doubtful about the religion. Such a person may not face any trials in this world. Rather, he may become successful and his business increases. He may perhaps think that he is better than others and he is in a good health and enjoying a high status. Perhaps he may even see his wealth multiplying.

Be careful! Beware! This is a deception. When the doors of riches are opened even though a person is persisting in sins, and the hearts are hardened, and Shaitaan made the sins pleasing in the eyes of people then wait for the punishment. When the people are living amid this deception, in ignorance and heedlessness, Allaah’s punishment comes swiftly, and people won’t get a chance to repent or mend their ways.

Such people might have been given all the worldly pleasures, but they are kept away from the real treasures of Allaah in this world. The real treasures of this world are being able to hear the Adhaan (call for prayers), adhering to it and offering the prayers in time and with the congregation, and doing Dhikr (Allaah’s remembrance) which brings tranquility and calms the hearts, reciting the Qur’aan in which there is guidance and healing, following the Prophet’s ﷺ which revives and rejuvenate the hearts. These are the real treasure of this world which lead to the ultimate treasure, Allaah’s pleasure and Jannah in the Hereafter.

Indeed, it is a punishment in itself when a person hears the Adhaan but his heart does not find sweetness in it, or days and days pass by but he does not recite an Aayah from the Book of Allaah, or days and nights pass by but he does not pray with the people in the congregation, or time passes by but his tongue does not move with the Dhikr of Allaah, or that acts of obedience feel like a burden to him and acts of disobedience become easy for him to do, or that he forgets about the Aakhirah (Hereafter) and he starts living in this world as if he is never going to die. This is the punishment in this world that leads to the ultimate punishment in the Hereafter.

It is a punishment that Allaah تعالى does not like you to do good deeds or that He does not help you in doing good deeds. It is a punishment that the path of obedience is cut off from you. Example: when some of the hypocrites wanted to join in the expedition (Jihaad) with the Prophet ﷺ, they were prevented, as Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَلَٰكِن كَرِهَ اللَّهُ انبِعَاثَهُمْ فَثَبَّطَهُمْ وَقِيلَ اقْعُدُوا مَعَ الْقَاعِدِينَ﴾

{But Allaah disliked their being sent, so He kept them back, and they were told, "Remain [behind] with those who remain."}
📚 [Surah al-Tawbah (9): 46]

Beware! This is one of the most dangerous forms of punishment which the people are heedless about, that Allaah تعالى does not like for you to have Imaan (Faith), or that your hearts become hardened, and you do not know; and you miss on acts of obedience, and you do not care. In such scenarios, wealth and children are just a deception to keep you misguided, and suddenly the punishment comes, and you become baffled and bewildered.

Why does Allaah not like you to have Imaan? Why does Allaah not want you to receive guidance? It is not like Allaah does not want Imaan for you, but it is you who have failed. He تعالى tested you once, twice, a couple of times, but you failed each time to show humility, you failed to submit, you failed to surrender. Every time Allaah تعالى tested you, you failed. You were stubborn and kept persisting in sin, so he abandoned you. And when you least expected, He تعالى will seize you and bring you to account. As Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَىٰ أُمَمٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَأَخَذْنَاهُم بِالْبَأْسَاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَضَرَّعُونَ ‎*‏ فَلَوْلَا إِذْ جَاءَهُم بَأْسُنَا تَضَرَّعُوا وَلَٰكِن قَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ *‏ فَلَمَّا نَسُوا مَا ذُكِّرُوا بِهِ فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَبْوَابَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا فَرِحُوا بِمَا أُوتُوا أَخَذْنَاهُم بَغْتَةً فَإِذَا هُم مُّبْلِسُونَ‏﴾

{And We have already sent [messengers] to nations before you, [O Muhammad]; then We seized them with poverty and hardship that perhaps they might humble themselves [to Us]. When Our punishment came to them, then why did they not humble themselves? But their hearts became hardened, and Shaitaan made attractive to them that which they were doing. So, when they forgot (the warning) with which they had been reminded, We opened to them the doors of every [good] thing, until amid their enjoyment in that which they were given, We seized them suddenly, and they were plunged into destruction with deep regrets and sorrows.}
📚 [Surah al-An`aam (6): 42-44]

Allaah تعالى tests the people with different things – some with poverty, some with adversities – to remind them to return to Allaah in repentance. When people fail to adhere to the warnings, He تعالى abandons them, only to seize them while they are unaware.

Allaah تعالى gave Fir`aun (Pharoah) many opportunities to repent. He تعالى send Moosaa عليه السلام with nine signs for Fir`aun and his people to accept the truth, but they arrogantly rejected them. It is not Allaah who wronged them, but it is they who had wronged themselves.

﴿أَلَمْ يَأْتِهِمْ نَبَأُ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ قَوْمِ نُوحٍ وَعَادٍ وَثَمُودَ وَقَوْمِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَأَصْحَابِ مَدْيَنَ وَالْمُؤْتَفِكَاتِ ۚ أَتَتْهُمْ رُسُلُهُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ ۖ فَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيَظْلِمَهُمْ وَلَٰكِن كَانُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ﴾

{Has there not reached them the news of those before them - the people of Nooh and [the tribes of] `Aad and Thamood and the people of Ibraaheem and the companions of Madyan and the towns that were overturned? Their Messengers came to them with clear proof. So, it was not Allaah Who wronged them, but they used to wrong themselves.}
📚 [Surah al-Tawbah (9): 70]

Who is in need of the Aakhirah, you or Allaah?! Is Allaah in need of you or are you in need of Allaah?! You are the one in need of Allaah and His help and favors. So, beware my brothers and sisters! This is a major problem hovering over many people who have become heedless of Allaah’s punishment.

﴿أَفَأَمِنَ أَهْلُ الْقُرَىٰ أَن يَأْتِيَهُم بَأْسُنَا بَيَاتًا وَهُمْ نَائِمُونَ ‎*‏ أَوَأَمِنَ أَهْلُ الْقُرَىٰ أَن يَأْتِيَهُم بَأْسُنَا ضُحًى وَهُمْ يَلْعَبُونَ ‎*‏ أَفَأَمِنُوا مَكْرَ اللَّهِ ۚ فَلَا يَأْمَنُ مَكْرَ اللَّهِ إِلَّا الْقَوْمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ﴾

{Did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our Punishment by night while they are asleep? Or did the people of the towns then feel secure against the coming of Our Punishment in the forenoon while they were at play? Did they then feel secure against the Plan of Allaah? None feels secure from the Plan of Allaah except the people who are the losers.}
📚 [Surah al-A`raaf (7): 97-99]

 

💠 Conclusion:

When we face trials and punishments, we should face them with acceptance. And the moment we face any trouble, the first thing we should do is, inspect ourselves and inspect our actions. If we belong to the first category, then we should praise Allaah, thank Him, and patiently wait for relief from Allaah.

If we belong to the second category, then analyze your situation, mend your ways, correct your habits, and rectify your affairs, because this is a warning to you from Allaah.

But if we are in the third category, the one who is drowning in sins. Upon is to repent and return to Allaah in obedience and servitude, for death can come to you at any moment. Allaah تعالى says:

قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allaah. Indeed, Allaah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful." 

 وَأَنِيبُوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا لَهُ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ

And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped.

‏ وَاتَّبِعُوا أَحْسَنَ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ بَغْتَةً وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ

And follow the best of what was revealed to you from your Lord before the punishment comes upon you suddenly while you do not perceive, 

‏ أَن تَقُولَ نَفْسٌ يَا حَسْرَتَىٰ عَلَىٰ مَا فَرَّطتُ فِي جَنبِ اللَّهِ وَإِن كُنتُ لَمِنَ السَّاخِرِينَ

Lest a soul should say, "Oh [how great is] my regret over what I neglected in regard to Allaah and that I was among the mockers."

‏ أَوْ تَقُولَ لَوْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ هَدَانِي لَكُنتُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ

Or [lest] it say, "If only Allaah had guided me, I would have been among the righteous."

‏ أَوْ تَقُولَ حِينَ تَرَى الْعَذَابَ لَوْ أَنَّ لِي كَرَّةً فَأَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ

Or [lest] it says when it sees the punishment, "If only I had another turn so I could be among the doers of good."

‏ بَلَىٰ قَدْ جَاءَتْكَ آيَاتِي فَكَذَّبْتَ بِهَا وَاسْتَكْبَرْتَ وَكُنتَ مِنَ الْكَافِرِينَ

But yes, there had come to you My verses, but you denied them and were arrogant, and you were among the disbelievers.

‏ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ تَرَى الَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ وُجُوهُهُم مُّسْوَدَّةٌ ۚ أَلَيْسَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ مَثْوًى لِّلْمُتَكَبِّرِينَ

And on the Day of Resurrection, you will see those who lied about Allaah [with] their faces blackened. Is there not in Hell a residence for the arrogant?

📚 [Surah al-Zumar (39): 53-60] 

We beseech Allaah for our safety and a good end.