Why Am I Not Tested Enough?

This is going to sound a little strange, but I feel that my life is not tested enough. I have heard over and over again that Allah loves those whom He tests. What if you feel like you don't have any test. Does this mean that Allah doesn't love me?
Worried,

It doesn’t feel strange at all. :) Thanks for the great question.

So you ask if you’re being tested enough. Well, sister, it really depends on what your definition of “tests” are. Generally whenever we think of tests, we may think of calamities, suffering, natural disasters, etc. Agreeably, these are examples of tests.

“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sâbirin (the patient ones, etc.)” Surah Al-Baqarah 2:155]

So being patient in these types of tests is best for us. However, tests aren’t limited to only this type. Likewise, patience is not limited to only in times like these.

As Muslims we know that this whole life is a test for us. So every moment we are being tested, even in times of ease. Yes, even things we may consider blessings like family, children, wealth may at the same time constitute as tests for us in one way or another and require our patience.


Allah Subhanoo Wa' tala says:

O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah . And whoever does that - then those are the losers. (Surah Al-Munafiqun 63:9)

Similarly:

O you who have believed, indeed, among your wives and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them. But if you pardon and overlook and forgive - then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (Surah Al-Taghabun 64:14)

He also says:

And as for man, when his Lord tries him and [thus] is generous to him and favors him, he says, "My Lord has honored me." (Al Fajr, 89: 15) 

As you can see from these verses, Allah's favors are also a test for us: you are being tested how you will respond with these favors, how you will use them for Allah's sake.... Will you let them draw you closer to Allah or  distract you away from Allah ?

In fact, we are told of a very important story in the Qur'an. The story of Qarun who Allah tested by giving an abundance of wealth.

And We gave him (Qarun) of the treasures, that of which the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. Remember when his people said to him: "Do not exult (with riches, being ungrateful to Allah). Verily Allah likes not those who exult (with riches, being ungrateful to Allah). "But seek with that (wealth) which Allah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of lawful enjoyment in this world,' and do good as Allah has been good to you, and seek not mischief in the land. Verily, Allah likes not the Mufsidun (those who commit great crimes and sins, oppressors, tyrants, mischief-makers, corrupters)." He said: "This has been given to me only because of the knowledge I possess." Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him generations, men who were stronger than him in might and greater in the amount (of riches) they had collected? [Al Qassas 76-]

  Besides the fact that times of ease are also times of tests, there is also much more to patience than times of difficulties. Yes,  moments of calamity call for our patience, BUT there is more to this, and we need to practice patience in other ways.

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “There are three types of patience: Firstly, practicing patience to fulfill the obligations and to do righteous. Secondly, abstaining from evil and prohibited acts. And thirdly, practicing patience during times of hardship without complaints.”

From this we gather that patience is of three types:

1) Patience in fulfilling obligations and continuing to do good deeds.
2) Patience in staying away from wrong.
3) Patience during hardships and calamities

I think, what you were talking about was the last type: patience in times of distress. And, so naturally you’re worried that since you feel like you haven't really had to endure this type of patience, that you are not being tested enough. It is true that AllahSWT tests those whom he loves. However, it doesn't mean that AllahSWT doesn't love you because as you just read, there are other types of tests/patience.

Let’s go over the different types of patience in more detail

1) Patience in fulfilling obligations and continuing to do good deeds.

"So hasten towards all that is good". (2:148)

Examples of this type of patience include: praying salah, paying zakat, fulfilling rights of family, etc. These are all part of our obligations.

Allah says: “And seek help in patience and As-Salah and truly it is extremely heavy and hard except for humbly submissive [to Allah ]” [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:45].

Additionally, continuing to do good deeds falls under this type of patience. As we know, keeping up a good deed means we have to persevere and strive to do it. Whether it be reading Qu'ran, waking up for Tahajjud, giving Sadaqah, any of these extra deeds requires our patience. The best part is, it doesn't matter how small they may be, as long as we try to be consistent. 

Rasulullah saw said: "The deeds most loved by Allah (are those) done regularly, even if they are small." (Bukhari, Muslim)

So sister, here are some examples of extra good deeds. Start a small deed and try to be regular in doing it. Then slowly you can add on to it. In times of ease, we have extra time to do more good deeds. 

Remember this Hadith:

“Take benefit of five before five: Your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before you are preoccupied, and your life before your death”
(Narrated by Ibn Abbas and reported by Al Hakim)

Yes, sometimes we may have calamities to turn us back to Allah, but also in times of ease, we can display patience by being grateful. In our youth, we are also usually at the peak of our health, we have more time and, less responsibilities. On top of that, if we're living in a safe place where we don't have to worry about poverty and hunger, then we are even more blessed. Can you imagine how we have more opportunities for doing good in this state than if we were lacking these? That's why, it's important that we take advantage of this time. 

AllahSWT says:

By time, Indeed, mankind is in loss, Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. (Surah Asr).

2) Patience in staying away from wrong.

We are all aware how staying away from wrong deeply requires our patience. We are struggling against our nafs. 

Say, "My Lord has only forbidden immoralities - what is apparent of them and what is concealed - and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know." (Surah A'raaf 7:33).

 And so, for staying away from evil things and going against our desires, we can get rewarded inshaallah.


3) Patience during hardships and calamities

Finally, this is the last type of patience, the one we are most familiar with. 

And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient,Who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allah , and indeed to Him we will return."Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided. (2:155-157).

As Muslims, we may be tested with hardships and calamities. Even if someone isn't going through a calamity now, they may later on. In this situation, we are called upon to be patient by not complaining. It is also important to remember this about calamities:

“No calamity occurs, but by the permission of Allah, and whosover believes in Allah, He guides his heart. And Allah is the All-Knower of everything” [Surat at-Taghabun 64:11]

Ibn Kathir said about this Verse: Whoever suffered an affliction and he knew that it occurred by Allah’s Judgement and Decree, and he patiently abides, awaiting Allah’s reward, then Allah guides his heart, and will compensate him for his loss in this life by granting guidance to his heart and certainty in faith. Allah will replace whatever he lost for Him with the same or what is better. Ali ibn Abi Talhah reported from Ibn Abbas: ‘… and whosever believes in Allah, He guides his heart.’ Allah will guide his heart to certainty. Therefore, he will know that what reached him would not have missed him and what missed him would not have reached him” [Al Mubarakpuri, Sheikh Saifur-Rahman, tafsir ibn Kathir (Abridges) vol 10 (Riyadh, Darussalam, 2000), pp 24-25]

Also this is another great reminder for us to become hopeful even when going through calamities.

“For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.” [Surah ash-Sharh 94: 5-6]

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As you can see from all these examples, as Muslims, we are being tested in every moment of our lives. You can display patience not just during calamities but also day-to-day, regularly. Every time you stay away from something prohibited, every time you sacrifice your time to do something extra good, you are displaying patience.

Ok, sister, I hope this helped. May we love AllahSWT and be loved by Allah, inshallah.

<3.

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Kill Those Kaafirs?

Asalamu aliakuam.
It’s me again. I know I'm really bothering you,but I really hope you do not really mind or annoyed.I just want to pour out my heart to someone.
Some crises are occurring in my country and they are really bothering me. Some muslims are killing Christians while claiming that they are doing it for the oppression of muslims, thinking they are claiming they are fighting jihad. They even went as far as causing havoc on Christmas day,think they burnt churches,I read in a hadith that the Prophet disallowed killing pple in their places of worship but this is exactly what these pple did. And, I feel sorry for the Christians, these pple kill their children, wives e.t.c, didn’t the Prophet also disallow this? Shouldn’t we muslims be of the best behaviour ? I’m really confused though because at the same time I once read in a hadith translated as something like muslims should kill those who disbelieve in Allah and his messenger. Is this true? can u talk about how we should treat the disbelievers please?
Thank you very much as you answer my questions,I know they are really much but I really do need your help and appreciate it so much.
Signed,
Once again In Need of Help

Wa’alykum as salam wa rahmatullah wa barkatoo,

First of all, in need of help again, please don’t ever say that you are bothering us or annoying us. This blog wouldn’t exist without people like YOU! Together, we’re a team :)

Beside, you really have a knack of asking AWESOME questions, LOL. Like seriously!

As for ‘the crises’ that are occurring in your country, we’re very saddened to hear that. Wallahi, that is terrible. Burning churches? Killing innocent people?! How is this jihad? You are right in questioning this evil behavior and saying that we are supposed to be the best examples! I see that you have mentioned ‘reading a hadith that said we should kill those who disbelieve in Allah and in his messenger. I really have NO IDEA what hadith you are referring to. (Maybe the other sisters can help us), but I think you might have heard someone taking out a verse of the Qur’an out of context, so we’ll look into that, inshaAllah.

Let’s start first, though, by taking a look at what the Qur’an says in regard to those who disbelieve and our relationship with them:

• Allah does not forbid you, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for God loves those who are just (Surat Al Mumatihina 60: 8)

• Invite all to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching. And argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious...And if you punish, let your punishment be proportional to the wrong that has been done to you. But if you show patience, that is indeed the best course. Be patient, for your patience is from God. And do not grieve over them,or distress yourself because of their plots. For God is with those who restrain themselves, and those who do good. Qur'an 16:125-128

• "Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!" (Surah 41, Verse 34).

What about the surah or the entire Chapter that is called “The Disbelievers”

Say, "O disbelievers,(1) I do not worship what you worship. (2) Nor are you worshippers of what I worship.(3) Nor will I be a worshipper of what you worship. (4)Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship. (5) For you is your religion, and for me is my religion." (6)

Or this?

Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects Taghut (evil) and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trust worthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things. " (Qur'an 2:256)

Think about it! If we are clearly told to leave people to make their own choice about Islam, then it only makes sense that we are not allowed to hurt them physically either if they make a decision not to follow Islam, doesn’t it?

Furthermore, the Prophet sallah Allahoo alyhee wa salam told us that whoever kills a person of another religion and there is a peace treaty between them, will never be able to smell paradise.

(Al-Bukhaari narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever kills a mu’aahid will not smell the fragrance of Paradise, even though its fragrance may detected from a distance of forty days.’)

So then, what is jihad? And when are we supposed to do it?

Jihad literally comes from the root word meaning to ‘struggle’ and it refers to things much broader than fighting in war. It includes things like struggling against unlawful temptations, struggling to give charity, struggling to purify the soul, etc.

However, it does also refer to ‘fighting in a war’, but it in NO Way denotes killing random innocent civilians.

 Let’s take a look again at what the Qur’an says:

• Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors. (2:190)

• "Permission [to fight] is granted to those who are being persecuted, since injustice has befallen them, and God is certainly able to support them [with victory].

• They were evicted from their homes unjustly, for no reason other than saying, "Our Lord is God." If it were not for God's supporting of some people against others, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques - where the name of God is commemorated frequently - would have been destroyed. Absolutely, God supports those who support Him. God is Powerful, Almighty." (Surah 22, Verses 39-40).

• If then any one transgresses the prohibition against you, transgress ye likewise against him. But fear Allah, and know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves." (Surah 2, Verse 194).

This kind of jihad then is about protecting the right people have to practice their religion or fighting tyranny and oppression and it should occur after peaceful methods have been attempted like negotiations, peace treaties, etc.

AND still! Even when we fight in a war in self defence, we are told not transgress or to go over board. Yes, even in war, there are very strict rules. No fruit bearing tree should be cut down, no woman killed, no place of worship destroyed, etc. Elderly men, children, and even preachers of other religions must not be harmed. The Prophet said:

 Do not kill women or children or non-combatants and do not kill old people or religious people,'' and he mentioned priests, nuns and rabbis. And he said, "Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees and do not poison the wells of your enemies."

You see, Islam forbids oppression, even during ‘war’.

‘And do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from beign just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.” (5:8)

“And do not let the hatred of a people for having obstructed you from al-Masjid al Haram lead you to transgress” (5:2)

Well, then, what about this verse and ones like it (which may be the hadith you are referring to):

And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah is worse than killing. And do not fight them at al-Masjid al- Haram until they fight you there. But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.(191)

I would say,  it is extremely dangerous to read one verse and not read the entire context. Just read on to the very next verse:

And if they cease, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (192)

This also brings to mind this verse: "But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in Allah: for He is the One that Heareth and Knoweth (all things)." (Surah 8, Verse 61).

We also need to re-read the original verse. It says ‘from wherever they have expelled you’- meaning again that they started the oppression, first. These are not ordinary civilians. We are not to touch innocent people. These are people who 'began the oppression'- thus, we're allowed to defend ourselves. Again, though, our punishment though should be proportionate to what they have done.

You know what? I think we should take a look at the Prophet’s life- the prophet who was our role model- and see how he treated the disbelievers. As we all know, the Arab Pagans abused and tormented the Prophet and his followers for more than 13 years. They persecuted them so greatly, the Prophet and his handful of followers were granted leave from Makkah and emigrated to Madinah. Even though they emigrated, the Qurayshis didn’t stop plotting against them. And yet, years later, the Prophet returned to Makkah, with 10,000 followers. What did the Prophet do to the Arab Pagans who had been plotting against him and his followers for 20 years? Did he kill them because they were non-believers?  No! No, no! He forgave them.These were 'criminals', so what do you think we should do with those who are innocent?!

As for those people attacking the Church, I just want to share this: during the time that Omar bin Al Khattab was Khalifa, he was invited to a Church, but he refused to pray in the church so that Muslims would not request converting the church to a mosque.

It should be clear then that Muslims only fight when they have to. As for ordinary civilians, we are told to treat them respectfully and with kindness. If they choose not to believe, that is between them and Allah. We are not the ones who should punish them.

Hope this answers your question and don't worry- you can still send in some more :)

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