What Are the Trials of the Believer in This Worldly Life?
ما هي ابتلاءات المؤمن في الحياة الدنيا؟
What are the trials for the Believer in this worldly life?
Allah has created us to worship Him and ultimately admit us to Jannah. This worldly life is a testing ground where believers are tried through both adversity (like poverty and loss) and prosperity (like wealth and power) to prove their obedience, patience, and gratitude.
Allah Almighty has created mankind so that we worship Him Alone with no partners. He created us, so He can later admit us to Jannah. But for us to be admitted to Jannah, there is a price we have to pay; and that is we must obey Allah the Almighty and obey the Islamic Law He set for us.
Why does Allah test believers in this worldly life?
Allah tests believers to see if they will obey His Islamic Law and remain patient or grateful. Passing these tests is the price required to be admitted to Jannah.
What are examples of trials involving adversity?
Trials of adversity include dealing with poverty, struggling to control personal lusts, facing the death of loved ones, and remaining patient towards people who wrong us.
How can good things in life be considered a test?
Good things like wealth, education, and power are tests to evaluate how we use them. Allah tests us to see if we will feed the poor, share our knowledge, help others in need, and remain truly thankful for His blessings.
The Forms of Worldly Trials
1. Trials of Adversity
Hence, Almighty Allah tests us; He tests our patience in poverty, while controlling our lusts, at the death of people we love, and towards people who wrong us. Whomsoever passes those tests will be given the glad tidings.
(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.) [Al-Baqara 2: 155]
(We will certainly test you believers until We prove those of you who truly struggle in Allah’s cause and remain steadfast, and reveal how you conduct yourselves.) [Muhammad 47: 31]
2. Trials of Prosperity
Some trials are sent to test how we deal with the good things we have in our lives. If we are rich, will we feed the poor and give the needy? If we are educated and have vast knowledge, will we share our knowledge with others? If we are in positions of power, will we help people who need our help? Will we be thankful for the blessings we have?
(And know that your wealth and your children are only a test and that with Allah is a great reward.) [Al-Anfal 8: 28]
(We have indeed made whatever is on earth as an adornment for it, to test which of them is best in deeds.) [Al-Kahf 18: 7]
(Your wealth and children are only a test, but Allah alone has a great reward.) [At-Taghabun 64: 15]
3. The Comprehensive Test
(Every soul will taste death. And We test you O humanity with good and evil as a trial, then to Us you will all be returned.) [Al-Anbiya 21: 35]
Scholarly Insight: In Islamic theology, tests (Ibtila') are not inherently punishments, but rather divine tools for spiritual growth and manifestation of true faith. Scholars emphasize that being tested with blessings and prosperity is often more difficult and deceptive than being tested with hardships, as wealth and power can easily lead to arrogance and heedlessness. True success in this worldly life requires balancing patience (Sabr) during adversity with profound gratitude and generosity (Shukr) during times of ease.
ما هي ابتلاءات المؤمن في الحياة الدنيا؟
خلقنا الله لعبادته وحده وليدخلنا الجنة. وهذه الحياة الدنيا هي دار ابتلاء، حيث يُمتحن المؤمنون بالضراء (كالفقر وفقد الأحبة) وبالسراء (كالمال والمنصب) لإثبات طاعتهم وصبرهم وشكرهم.
إن الله تعالى خلقنا لنعبده وحده ولا نشرك به شيئا. وخلقنا كي يسعدنا ويدخلنا الجنة. لكن ثمن الجنة أن نطيعه ونلتزم بالشريعة التي وضعها لنا.
أشكال الابتلاءات الدنيوية
1. ابتلاءات الضراء
ولذلك يمتحننا الله تعالى حتى يختبرنا: يختبر صبرنا على الفقر، يختبر صبرنا على شهوة النفس، يختبر صبرنا على موت أحبائنا، وصبرنا على من آذانا. ومن ينجح في هذه الامتحانات يكون له البشرى.
(وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ) [البقرة 2: 155]
(وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ حَتَّىٰ نَعْلَمَ الْمُجَاهِدِينَ مِنكُمْ وَالصَّابِرِينَ وَنَبْلُوَ أَخْبَارَكُمْ) [محمد 47: 31]
2. ابتلاءات السراء
بعض الامتحانات تكون لاختبارنا بالتعامل بما هو حسن بحياتنا. إذا كنا أغنياء، هل نطعم الفقير ونعطي من الأموال للمحتاجين؟ هل نعطي الناس من العلم الذي أعطانا إياه الله؟ هل نساعد الناس الذين بحاجتنا إذا كنا ذوي مناصب؟ هل نشكر على النعم التي عندنا؟
(وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ وَأَنَّ اللَّـهَ عِندَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ) [الأنفال 8: 28]
(إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا) [الكهف 18: 7]
(إِنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ وَاللَّـهُ عِندَهُ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ) [التغابن 64: 15]
3. الابتلاء الشامل
(كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۗ وَنَبْلُوكُم بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً ۖ وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ) [الأنبياء 21: 35]
1. Trials Through Adversity: Fear, Hunger, and Loss | الابتلاء بالضراء: الخوف ونقص الأموال والأنفس
Adversity tests the steadfastness of the human soul. Allah examines believers through fears, economic struggles, bodily illnesses, and the painful departure of loved ones. Meeting these hardships with patience unlocks boundless divine recompense.
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ (سورة البقرة: 155)
يختبر الله عباده بنوائب الدهر من ضيق الرزق، وعوارض الأسقام، وفراق الأحبة؛ ليعلم الصادق في إيمانه من المذبذب. والصبر على مرارة القضاء هو عنوان التوكل الحق ومفتاح الفرج الرباني.
2. Trials Through Prosperity: Wealth and Health | الابتلاء بالسراء: النعم والجاه وفتنة الترف
Prosperity is frequently a more subtle and perilous test than poverty. Abundance of wealth, robust health, and worldly prestige test whether a servant remains mindful, pays the dues of the needy, and avoids arrogance, or becomes entitled and corrupt.
وَنَبْلُوكُم بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً ۖ وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ (سورة الأنبياء: 35)
كثيرا ما يكون ابتلاء السراء أشد خطرا على القلب من الضراء؛ فالصحة الفائضة والمال الوفير يختبران هل يستعمل العبد النعمة في مرضاة واهبها بالشكر والإنفاق، أم يستطيل بها على الخلق وينسى حقه سبحانه.
3. The Test of Desires and Moral Doubts | فتنة الشهوات والشبهات والثبات على الدين
Believers live amid constant cultural and moral crosswinds. Resisting lustful desires, guarding chastity, refusing illicit financial gains, and preserving pristine Islamic doctrine against ideological doubts form a primary dimension of spiritual jihad.
أَحَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوا أَن يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ (سورة العنكبوت: 2)
يعيش المؤمن في معترك الصراع مع الشهوات المحرمة والشبهات الباطلة؛ فضبط النفس عن الحرام، وحفظ السمع والبصر، والاستقامة على صراط الله المستقيم في زمن الغربة هو الابتلاء الدائم الذي يعظم به الأجر.
4. The Believer's Comprehensive Triumph | سر العجب في كل أحوال المؤمن
The Prophet marveled at the believer's unique resilience: whether blessed with good fortune or struck by calamity, every circumstance turns into spiritual profit through gratitude or patience, a grace exclusive to sincere faith (Sahih Muslim 2999). What Allah asks of the believer when a calamity strikes is explained in what Allah asks of us when a calamity strikes.
عَجَبًا لِأَمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ، إِنَّ أَمْرَهُ كُلَّهُ خَيْرٌ (صحيح مسلم)
ختم النبي ﷺ حقيقة هذه الابتلاءات ببيان فوز المؤمن المستمر في ميدان الدنيا: إن مسته السراء سارع بالشكر فكان خيرا له، وإن أصابته الضراء لاذ بالصبر فكان خيرا له؛ فلا يشقى قلب اتصل بالله أبدا.
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
Can blessings and wealth be considered a trial in Islam?
Yes, Surah Al-Anbiya (21:35) confirms that Allah tests humanity through both good and evil.
What is required of a believer during hardship?
Patient endurance (Sabr), refraining from discontent, and placing trust in Allah's wisdom.
What is required of a believer during times of ease?
Sincere gratitude (Shukr), humility, and using resources to serve righteous causes.
Why does Allah test those who claim belief?
To distinguish true, sincere believers from those whose faith is merely superficial.