What Does the Quran Say About Being Tested in Life?

Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) once asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):

“O Messenger of Allah, which people are most severely tested?”

The Prophet (pbuh) replied:

“The Prophets, then the next best and the next best.

A person is tested according to his religious commitment. 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.” (Ibn Majah)

Tests Are Inevitable

This life is nothing but a test; each and every situation we go through is part of this test. This test reveals our level of faith and commitment; it also purifies us from our sins as explained by the Prophet in the above hadith.

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We read in the Quran what means:

{Do people think once they say, “We believe,” that they will be left without being put to the test? We certainly tested those before them. And ˹in this way˺ Allah will clearly distinguish between those who are truthful and those who are liars.} (Al-`Ankabut 29:2-3)

Here are some inspiring reflections about these verses, collected from QuranReflect.com

Sajid

The imam recited these verses for fajr today, there was something about his recitation, in a spaced out masjid. Still missing some of the familiar faces that use to come before Covid that caused me to reflect.

We all know that were gonna be tested, yet when it comes, we’re always unprepared.
We all know we’re going to die one day, yet when it comes, we’re always unprepared.
There’s something about us, that even after knowing. We don’t know anything.
We keep forgetting as our name Insaan implies.

Everyone has their unique test, and sometimes while reading reflections we can notice the trials that others are facing, but we can also learn how others are clinging on to some verses or passages to help them with their trials.

Sometimes our reflections save others that are suffering silently.
So the reflection here is not really profound, but just a question.
Imagine yourself in Jannah, The Prophet pbuh asks you, “and what was the trial that your Lord tested you with?”

Khalil Ismail

Faith. Imaan is truly something special.
It’s not inherited like our genetic makeup…and it’s not something you simply just have.
Imaan is a gift from Allah swt, a truly special gift that we must guard, nurture, and keep kindled.

And though Imaan is natural, it requires that we put in work to keep it alive.
As we move through this dunya, and gather our life experiences, how we build and structure those pieces often shape our experience of Imaan. How we use the guidance that Allah swt gives us, determines the value of our Imaan…and how long we can make it last.

Allah swt asks us in the second ayah from surat al-ankaboot:
اَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ اَنۡ يُّتۡرَكُوۡۤا اَنۡ يَّقُوۡلُوۡۤا اٰمَنَّا وَهُمۡ لَا يُفۡتَـنُوۡنَ‏
“Do the people think that they will be left to say, “We believe” and they will not be tested?“

Allah promises us that he will test us…If we are to call ourselves believers, then we guarantee a test from our creator!

And subhanAllah sometimes these tests are difficult. And we know that Al-Rahmaan reminds us in Surat Al-Baqarah:
لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا
“Allah will not burden a soul with more than what they can handle” (2:286)

Think about the last time you felt your faith was weak that you’ve perhaps given up hope. That feeling of despair, not being able to see. Missing the light of Iman, is in and of itself a test from Allah.

How beautiful is it that our Creator gives us the answer to rekindling our Imaan, and seeking help:
وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ
“And seek help through patience and prayer, and this indeed, is a hard thing for all but the humble in spirit.” (2:45)

Faith is not static…when we need Allah the most , we often feel the strong unwavering warmth of Imaan…but at other times it dims and flickers. Perhaps a test from Allah is an opportunity to humble ourselves to Him…and a chance for us to rekindle our taqwa of Him.

O Allah, replace our fears with your Remembrance.
O Allalh, replace our doubts, with seeking your forgiveness.
O Allah, allow us to keep the fire of Iman alive in our hearts , till we meet you.. ameen

Maram

Just a lil ago I was reading Surah Al Ankabut then I started with surah Al Rum. I got to the fifth ayah and I just stopped for a second. I starred at these pages and I just thought to my self that each and every ayah got its own story, own events, own people and got its own history.

Like imagine how excited the sahaba and the Prophet pbuh used to be when a new revelation comes down !?

Ya Allah. I really got upset for a lil though. Our attitude in general is not enough; we really have to care more and pay more attention to every word that is sent down by Allah.

Like imagine The words of ALLAH, the One Whom we worship and we fear and we have hope in.

The One we have never seen before and we still fear Him in every lil act that we do.

We have to dig deeper, as deep as we can till the day we die. It’s a big responsibility to have the WORDS OF ALLAH in front of us and we do so lil about it.

Dont look at how old you are right now, its never too late; you are breathing and that’s good enough. Have a good pure intention and start looking for opportunities to get more educated in the book of Allah so you could act upon what you learn and bring the real Barakah to your life ! 🙂

May Allah make us amongst the companions of the Quran, the people who read, reflect over and act upon it Ya rab!

Editor’s Note: Minor editorial modifications have been made in the above

- aboutislam.net