Page 69 - Perfected Faith

67
THE MORAL PERFECTION CONFERRED BY PERFECTED FAITH

Do people imagine that they will be left to say, "We believe,"
and will not be tested? We tested those who have gone before
them, so that Allah would know the truthful and would know
the liars. (Surat al-'Ankabut, 2-3)
Again in another verse Allah draws our attention to this important
truth:
Or did you suppose that you would enter the Garden without
facing the same suffering as those who came before you?
Poverty and illness afflicted them and they were shaken to the
point that the Messenger and those who shared his faith cried
out: "When is Allah's help coming?" Be assured that Allah's
help is ever near. (Surat al-Baqara, 214)
These verses reveal that, in compliance with the immutable law of
Allah, all human beings who have ever appeared on earth have faced
these difficulties. They were also tested by having their wealth and
life put at stake; they were also subjected to the cruelty and pressure
of disbelievers and thus the difference between true believers and in-
sincere ones became apparent. That is why, the moment a believer be-
comes acquainted with the Qur'an, he starts to prepare for these
events. However, these events, which occur in compliance with the
essence of trial, may not be exactly the same as those under the condi-
tions of our Prophet (saas)'s time. In our day, we probably meet diffi-
culties under very different circumstances.
A man who has attained perfected faith knows that each and every
untoward event he experiences is, without exception, a trial from
Allah. The kind of adversity he is faced with may be hunger, loss of
wealth or life as well as the trials he may encounter in daily life.
Sometimes all kinds of adversity come one after another. One may
lose a loved one at a quite unexpected time. At the same time, one
may have financial problems. All this distress may be coupled with
serious health problems. Seeing all these as an opportunity, the devil
may meanwhile seek ways to tempt the afflicted person. In the midst