We will certainly test you with a touch of fear and famine and loss of property, life, and crops. Give good news to those who patiently endure— (Qur’an 2:155)
At times, despite our good deeds and adherence to divine guidance, we may encounter suffering and difficulties. Humans fail to fully understand these challenges and trials due to our limited perception of the divine plan. Various factors come into play, and it’s crucial to recognize that individuals are subject to different laws in both worldly and unseen matters. One might follow a certain law, leading to positive outcomes, but inadvertently violate another, resulting in repercussions.
For instance, a person is influenced not only by the laws of physics but also by chemistry, biology, economics, and other governing principles. If someone strictly adheres to the laws of physics, it doesn’t ensure immunity from violating the laws of economics. Considering this, imagine a person who meticulously follows health principles in diet, sleep, exercise, and hygiene. The law of health rewards them with a good and robust life, aligning with the natural principle of “as you sow, so shall you reap.” However, that same individual may display recklessness in driving, neglecting traffic laws, signals, and safety precautions. Consequently, nature’s law of “as you sow, so shall you reap” applies, leading to an accident due to their disregard for driving precautions.
The same issue exists in divine and worldly laws. Under the divine system, humans encounter various laws, and there can be multiple reasons for the events presented to them. Sometimes a person adheres to one law but violates another, as illustrated in the example above. the Prophets pbuh in different way.
In both divine and worldly laws, humans encounter various principles, and events may have multiple reasons. Sometimes, a person adheres to one law but violates another, as illustrated in the example above. There are times when a person’s actions have no shortcomings, but due to a trial or test, they may have to face difficulties or calamities, as exemplified by the Prophets, peace be upon them, in various ways.
Sometimes individuals undergo tests to develop desired talents, as seen in the case of Prophet Yusuf (pbuh), whose purpose was to become the ruler of Egypt and provide relief during a prolonged famine. In some cases, individuals face consequences not due to flaws in their actions, but as part of a grand divine scheme, such as innocent victims in wars they were not responsible for. These tests occur on both individual and collective levels.
On an individual level, tests may manifest as personal challenges or trials aimed at developing specific talents or virtues. Like Prophet Yusuf, individuals may face hardships that ultimately lead to the realization of their potential or the fulfillment of a greater purpose. These tests can serve as opportunities for personal growth, resilience, and spiritual development.
On a collective level, the concept of divine tests can be observed in the broader context of societies or communities. Innocent individuals may suffer consequences due to larger events, such as wars or natural disasters, even if they bear no direct responsibility for these occurrences. This perspective suggests a grand divine scheme that transcends individual actions, emphasizing a collective test that challenges societies to respond with compassion, justice, and unity in the face of adversity.
Sometimes, the misuse of free will by others leads to social problems, and a person becomes a victim of the repercussions, as seen in the flawed economic policies of rulers affecting individuals who are not responsible for those policies.
Determining the real cause of difficulties faced by an individual can be either straightforward or extremely complex. In worldly matters, a person can understand the reasons for a problem through the cause-and-effect law. However, in unseen matters, figuring out whether the adversity is a warning, a punishment, a trial, or something else is a challenging task. The story of Prophet Moses and Khidr, where a ship owner initially fails to understand why his ship has a hole, is an example of this lack of initial understanding.
Adversities may arise as a warning or punishment, or they could be an examination or training. Deciding this requires a careful analysis. If there is no apparent way out of the adversity, it may be a sign of punishment or warning. Conversely, if there are multiple paths to overcome the adversity, it could be a test aimed at evaluating an individual’s commitment to their beliefs and showcasing their capabilities.
The trials human beings face in this life are not beyond their ability to handle. In fact, believing that our trails are too much to handle is similar to believing that Allah has not spoken the truth when he said, “Allah does not charge a soul except with that within its capacity. In order to reassure humankind of this, Allaah states this fact repeatedly in the Qur’aan. An example of His reassurance may be found in Al Baqarah (2):286 which says, “Allah does not charge a soul except with that within its capacity.” Dr. Bilal Phillips
Insight! 