Page 60 - The Secret Behind Our Trials

THE SECRET BEHIND OUR TRIALS
As for humanity, when his Lord tests him by honoring him
and favoring him, he says: "My Lord has honored me!" But
when He tests him by restricting his provision, he says: "My
Lord has humiliated me!" (Surat al-Fajr, 15-16)
Thus, Allah tests also unbelievers by bestowing and then re-
moving blessings according to His will. In such a situation, Muslims
retain their trust in Allah and remain thankful to Him, whereas un-
believers react immediately with ingratitude. Unaware that they are
being tested, they lose both in this world and in the next.
Unbelievers also react to these tests by becoming depressed or
going so far as to commit suicide or resort to alcohol or drugs. None
of them consider the reason for their difficulties or care about the
good that will come out of them. However, Allah presses unbeliev-
ers with difficulties "so that, hopefully, they would turn back"
(Surat az-Zukhruf, 48). In other words, He sends hard times to them
so that they will turn to the right path, repent, and acquire firm be-
lief. But most of the time, these difficulties and frustrations only
harden their hearts and increase their denial of Allah.
If only they had humbled themselves when Our violent
force came upon them! However, their hearts were hard and
Satan made what they were doing seem attractive to them.
When they forgot what they had been reminded of, We
opened up for them the doors to everything, until, when
they were exulting in what they had been given, We sud-
denly seized them. At once, they were in despair. (Surat al-
An`am, 43-44)

The Inner State of Those who
Are Attached to This World
The Muslims' understanding of the secret of these trials gives

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